Headaches… what a Headache!

By Mariah Haddad

About 14 million people a year suffer from daily headaches.

(Photo by: Sierra Haddad)

Millions of people worldwide suffer daily with the burden of headaches. It is important to find the causes of these aches, and not continuously take an aspirin for temporary relief. There are natural and holistic ways to not only ease headaches, but prevent them.

It is important first to classify your headache as a primary or a secondary headache. According to the Mayo Clinic, a primary headache is caused by problems with, or overactivity of pain-sensitive structures in your head, and is not a symptom of an underlying disease. The most common primary headaches can be classified into three types: cluster, migraine, and tension.

The Mayo Clinic advises that secondary headaches can be a symptom of an illness or disease that can activate pain-sensitive nerves in the head. Types of ailments that can cause secondary headaches are acute sinusitis, blood clots, concussion, ear infection, glaucoma, and panic disorder.

“I was diagnosed with chronic migraines at 9 years old,” said Xavier Washburn, a 27-year-old Attica native. “My whole life I have tried medication after medication with extreme negative side-effects, or no effect at all.”

Washburn hasn’t suffered alone. About 14 million people experience headaches on near-daily basis. 

How do you address the pain?

Washburn said he uses preventative techniques.

“I went to a specialist who practiced a very holistic approach to everything. When I told her about the amount of medication I was taking, she was upset." Washburn said. “She explained that oftentimes medication makes matters worse. The best way to prevent these aches is a change in my lifestyle.”

Lifestyle changes are a huge factor in your health.

Washburn began drinking more than 100 ounces of water a day, and started tracking his sleep and diet.

“It turns out I have always had a very high sodium diet, which dehydrated me,” Washburn said. “As soon as I started drinking what feels like excessive amounts of water, my migraines were fewer and fewer.” Washburn continues to follow a strict diet and is continuously trying new techniques, such as monitoring his sleep, to prevent his headaches.

What happens if you get a headache?

Melissa Foxx, a 38-year-old elementary school teacher, enjoys aromatherapy.

"Simply smelling my lavender oil or applying it to my skin starts to ease my pain immediately,” she said. “If I massage my ginger oil into my temples, it feels like it relieves all of the pressure in my mind. I begin to think clearer and focus less on the pain that I am feeling.”

Whether you have primary or secondary headaches, it is best if you have chronic pain to make an appointment with your doctor.

With thousands of causes of headaches, it is important to make an effort to prevent them, as well has a holistic approach to cure them.

Foxx said headaches have saved her life.

“Even though I use aromatherapy, if I see a change in my headache pattern I go to a specialist immediately."

In 2003, Foxx experienced a minor brain aneurysm.

“I just felt like out of nowhere I had this crazy migraine I couldn’t get rid of. Soon, I couldn’t even stand so I called my doctor.  I was induced and upon awakening I learned of my aneurysm.”

Foxx since then is careful to monitor how her headaches feel.