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Acupuncture for pain relief

June 30th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

While the idea of being punctured with needles seems odd, there’s no doubt that acupuncture provides sure and easy - and drug free - pain relief. It’s certainly worth considering. Acupuncture is now considered alternative or complementary medicine, and there is evidence that these alternatives can be very helpful to people with certain problems or conditions. 

Acupuncture is originally from China where it is still widely practiced for the health of the Chinese people.  These alternative or complementary medicines are now widely used in the United States and Western Europe for specific conditions or problems.  Most medical professionals are trained in certain methods for maintaining and restoring the health of their patients.  Not many medical professionals are trained in acupuncture.  Most doctors do not immediately consider acupuncture as a method for treating their patients, but there is more enthusiasm for using these methods as a complement to modern medical practices. 

Many cities and towns around the United States now have professionals who practice acupuncture.  These professionals are highly skilled in the practice of alternative methods.  Patients usually go to the practitioners of traditional medical treatment first, but many then seek help through acupuncture if they do not find satisfaction with regular doctors and nurses.  Some insurance companies will now consider payments for acupuncture treatment.  People will not usually seek acupuncture for serious conditions such as cancer or heart disease.

People often seek acupuncture as a source of complementary medicine.  This type of alternative medicine has been used for people suffering chronic pain, nausea and several other troubling conditions.  These alternative medicine techniques are also used to help people break bad habits such as smoking.  There has also been some success in using these alternative medicines to help people lose weight.  The techniques used in acupuncture seem a bit harsh when first described, but the techniques are not painful or uncomfortable.

The professional acupuncturist uses needles inserted at specific points in the body to achieve the goals of the patient.

The skilled professional uses needles that are hygienic to prevent any type of infection.  These needles are much thinner than the needles that people are used to when they are in need of a traditional shot.  The needles are inserted at strategic points chosen for specific benefits.  The skilled person will insert the needles in specific points for someone with headaches.  The same professional will insert the needles differently for those trying to kick a bad habit.  There have been many people who have used these alternative medicines with great success, and the demonstrated success for some conditions has led to more people seeking this type of treatment. 


Migraine Headache Triggers: What’s starting your migraines?

June 22nd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

In America alone, over twenty-eight million people suffer from migraine headaches.  Migraine headaches are more common in women; for every one man who suffers from a migraine headache, there are three women. 

If you’ve ever suffered from a migraine, you know how disabling they are: it’s impossible to move, even to open your eyes - you just pray for the pain to stop. Migraines and migraine headache triggers have become somewhat easier to manage than they used to be. 

Migraines are triggered. Once you know what causes your migraines, you may not always be able to prevent an attack, but sometimes you can.

What Are the Most Common Migraine Headache Triggers?

Of all the migraine headache triggers, the most common one is stress.  Another common trigger of migraines is certain foods, such as alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, aspartame, caffeine, msg, seasonings, and some canned or processed foods.  Migraines can also be caused by fasting or skipping meals.

Physical factors such as increased sexual activity, intense exercise, or a change in sleep patterns are also migraine headache triggers.  Changes in the environment and certain medications often act as triggers of migraine headaches, as do sun glare and bright lights.  Hormonal changes can also cause migraines, and this may be why a significantly greater number of women than men are affected by migraines.  Some women experience migraines during pregnancy or menopause. 

Are You at Risk?

There are several risk factors that make someone more prone to migraine headaches.  Migraine headaches most commonly occur in girls that have already passed through puberty.  Women who experience migraines find that their likelihood of experiencing one increases during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.  Migraine headaches also run in families; if even one of your parents’ experiences migraines then you are much more likely to develop them yourself.

Treating Migraine Headaches

Although previously, the only way to treat migraine headaches was to take aspirin, this is no longer the case.  Now, there are both preventative medications and pain-relieving medications that are intended specifically for migraine treatment.  There are also other alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, massage, vitamins, herbs, minerals, and biofeedback.  Migraine headaches can be prevented by maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Migraines do seem to hit people at certain stages in their life. As you get older, you may find that you get migraines much less often.


Headache And Nausea - do you feel sick when you get a headache?

June 20th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Some people experience headaches once or more per week.  However, if you experience both a headache and nausea, then it could be a sign of a more serious headache, such as a migraine headache. 

The symptoms of a headache accompanied by nausea rarely indelicate a more serious problem, such as encephalitis, meningitis, or a brain abscess.  Headache and nausea can also indicate internal bleeding at or around the brain.  These conditions are serious; some are even deadly.  Another effect of experiencing a long-term headache and nausea is that it is likely that you will become dehydrated; thus, it is important to watch for signs of dehydration if you experience headache and nausea.

Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain usually resulting from a viral infection.  Without immediate treatment, encephalitis can be deadly and life threatening.  The disease is spread by a virus or in some cases by mosquitoes. 

Besides headache and nausea, the symptoms of encephalitis include fever, confusion, sensitivity to light, stiffness in the back and neck, and drowsiness.  Sometimes, more severe symptoms can develop; these include tremors, seizures, changes in personality, and even a coma.  For treatment, patients are usually hospitalized and given an antiviral medication.

Fighting Meningitis

Meningitis, which can either be bacterial or viral, is when the fluid and tissue surrounding the brain becomes infected.  It usually occurs as a result of other illnesses, such as a sinus or ear infection.  Other symptoms include dizziness, seizures, changes in vision, and extreme sleepiness.  Treatment depends on the severity of the case.

What is a Brain Abscess?

A brain abscess is a pocket of infection that develops in the brain.  They are extremely rare, and they are usually caused by the spread of infection from another area or a deep head wound.  Weakness, fever, and chills are other characteristics of a brain abscess.  A brain abscess is treated by medication and, on occasion, surgery.

Due to the severity of these three conditions, it is important to monitor the deadly combination of a headache and nausea should you experience it.  If it lasts for longer than a week, you should see your doctor to determine what the next course of action should be – doing so could save your life.



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