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| Standard Definition |
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Headaches are a common condition that involves many factors from stress, poor sleep and diet through to more serious situations such as meningitis or brain tumour. If you are experiencing recurrent or severe headaches please see your healthcare practitioner for a thorough assessment.
There are different types of headache including migraine, sinus, dehydration and tension headaches. Tension headaches usually start at the back of your head and move forward, covering your whole head with a steady, dull pain. Sinus headaches cause a dull, deep, or severe pain in the front of your head and in your facial sinuses. Dehydration headaches often involve the top or whole head and are typically worse in the afternoon or after physical exertion. |
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| Underlying Disruption in Function |
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Because there are so many possible causes of headache it is difficult to outline the underlying functional disruptions that occur in detail. Simply put, a headache is one of the body's signals that indicate imbalance or problems within the system. The key is to use this signal as a useful tool for understanding our health, rather than ignoring it or eliminating it with painkillers. Many of the common causes and triggers are outlined below. |
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| Possible Causes, Triggers & Exacerbating Factors |
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- Family history
- Respiratory infections
- Stress (physical, emotional, mental), muscular tension, jaw grinding in sleep, depression, anxiety
- Musculoskeletal damage, including cervical vertebrae subluxation, poor posture, sports injuries
- Brain trauma - concussion, meningitis, brain tumour, stroke
- Hormonal imbalances - Premenstrual syndrome, menopause, menstruation, hormonal drugs including the Oral Contraceptive Pill
- Hypoglycaemia
- Allergies and food intolerances
- Lack of sleep
- Dehydration
- Excess sun
- Alcohol, caffeine, cigarette smoke
- Neurotransmitter abnormalities
- Drugs for high blood pressure, angina, and arthritis
- Poor liver function
- Heavy metal and chemical exposure
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| Common Signs & Symptoms |
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- Pain - Throbbing, pounding, dull, stabbing, shooting, pressure, squeezing
- Nausea, vomiting, increase or decrease in appetite, thirst, sugar cravings
- Disturbances in hearing, vision, muscular movement, skin sensation
- Altered mood - depression, anxiety, irritability, inability to cope
- Fatigue, malaise, insomnia or increased desire for sleep
- Respiratory infection, fever
- Tight, painful or tender muscles (especially neck, shoulders, and jaw)
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| Possible Additional Integrative Medicine Diagnostic Tests |
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(This is additional information that does not replace nor negate conventional diagnosis. Other tests may be useful depending on the individual circumstance.)
- Allergy and food intolerance testing
- Hormonal testing
- Biochemical assessments
- Digestive function assessment
- Heavy Metal and Toxicity assessment
- Vitamin and Mineral assessment
- Drug, Herb, Nutrient assessment
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