Cluster headaches are not as common as other types of headaches. In fact, statistics show that only 69 out of 100,000 people get cluster headaches. For this reason, this type of headache is not discussed very often. Still, cluster headaches can be very painful and those who suffer from them would desperately want to look for an effective cluster headache pain relief.
The median age of a cluster headache sufferer is 30 years old. Most of those who develop cluster headaches have their first cluster headache between the age of 20 and 50. Nevertheless, you can develop a cluster headache at any time in life. Some people actually experience their firs symptoms before they even turn 10-years-old. There are also some people who do not get cluster headaches until they are 80-years-old or older. Men are usually affected more often than women. In fact, five out of every six who suffer from a cluster headache is a male.
You need to have a clear understanding of the symptoms if you are looking for a cluster headache relief. A cluster headache is called as such because it usually attacks you in clusters. It is usual for an attack to last between a half hour and two hours. You can also experience anywhere from one headache per week to six per day. It all depends upon how severe your condition is. These attacks occur in waves. Most patients will experience between four and eight headaches per week. You may experience this for several years but not many people are afflicted in this way.
For a cluster headache diagnosis, you need to get a proper diagnosis from your doctor first. Your doctor can help you determine if you may be experiencing cluster headaches because your nasal passage is blocked.
Some other symptoms that commonly occur with cluster headaches include red eyes and sweating from your forehead and cheeks. The pain that you experience with a cluster headache usually begins around or above your eye and then spreads outward. These headaches come in a flash and reach their height of pain within two to fifteen minutes. Once you begin to have a cluster headache, your heart rate will begin to beat at a much higher pace. These are important signs to note when you are trying to figure out what type of headache you are suffering from. A more accurate observation of your symptoms can help you come closer to an effective cluster headache pain relief.
The sad part is that there appears to be no cure for you if you are suffering from a cluster headache. OTC analgesics such as aspirin are not an effective cluster headache pain relief because by the time the pills begin to work the headache is nearing its end. Doctors would have to prescribe antihistamines, calcium channel blockers and ergot preparations for cluster headache pain relief.
Other than drugs, there are plenty of other ways for cluster headache pain relief. These methods are natural and result in little or no side effects. You can get enough sleep, reduce stress, look for other relaxation techniques designed to help you reduce stress and tension.
Overconsumption of drugs for headache relief can result in rebound headaches and worsening migraines. Get more information on headache natural treatment here on this site at http://www.headacheremedysecrets.com
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Stopping the Pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve entrapment disorder that is associated with considerable pain and functional impairment of the fingers and hand. It is also quite common for this condition to refer pain up the median nerve pathway into the elbow, shoulder, upper back and neck.
Caused by an imbalance of the muscles that open, close, deviate and rotate the hand, results in biomechanical dysfunction and a joint imbalance, affecting the median nerve at the wrist junction. Severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to muscle atrophy and deterioration of the median nerve when left untreated. It is the cause of significant disability worldwide and a subject of growing research in the medical and physical therapy communities. With costs to treat this disorder surpassing 60 billion annually, a common sense treatment approach is being sought by both private and federal communities.
There are many pathways to muscle imbalance in the hand, and considerable research has examined the pressure system surrounding the carpal canal. This work has shown that people with carpal tunnel syndrome have markedly increased pressure in the carpal canal in the hand following minor movement in the wrist that involve repetitive and/or static wrist and finger flexion. The longer these types of activities are performed, the greater the muscle imbalance develops and the more severe the symptoms become. As the finger and wrist flexor muscles that close the hand become more developed than their opposing extensor muscles that open the hand, the stronger muscles cause the bones to shift in the direction due to the “pulling” action of the stronger muscles and results in the impingement of the structures between. In this case, the median nerve is impinged. As the median nerve and flexor tendons now have to glide past each other as the fingers and wrist flex and extend while being in a state of impingement, there is increased friction which irritates the tendons and nerve and causes inflammation and swelling of these tissues. The result of this pressure and secondary swelling is a further increase in edema inside the median nerve. (Swelling is often thought of as the “cause” of carpal tunnel, when in fact it is the “result” of being irritated due to its state of being impinged between the flexor tendons inside the carpal tunnel which has also been reduced in size due to the collapse / shifting of the carpal bones.)
This entrapment produces a variety of painful symptoms. Indeed, carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by paresthesia (also known as a pins and needles), numbness, tingling and a lack of coordination of the fingers along with muscle degeneration if left untreated, but it may also include pain, stiffness, tenderness, and swelling, and many people with the condition notice themselves assuming a ginger stance at the computer keyboard or workstation. As symptoms progress and worsen over time, carpal tunnel syndrome generally includes muscle wasting, diminished strength, and a serious loss of overall dexterity and coordination.
Although the disorder is significantly debilitating, effective treatments do exist. Those with the most scientific support target symptoms by restoring muscle balance in the hand. Most often a combination of strengthening and lengthening exercises combined with supportive equipment is enough to improve symptoms dramatically.
By addressing carpal tunnel with conservative modes of treatment (Flextend), people can usually avoid the high failure rates associated with treatments like cortisone injections and surgery. Always be sure to consult with your physician and be sure that you have a received an accurate diagnosis of your condition, but if you do not agree with your doctor, seek a second or third opinion.
Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, is a therapist and inventor of products like Flextend, AC-Kit, TFT-Kit, and Restore, that are used by professional musicians and athletes an around the world to prevent and treat disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injuries.http://www.repetitive-strain.com
Caused by an imbalance of the muscles that open, close, deviate and rotate the hand, results in biomechanical dysfunction and a joint imbalance, affecting the median nerve at the wrist junction. Severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to muscle atrophy and deterioration of the median nerve when left untreated. It is the cause of significant disability worldwide and a subject of growing research in the medical and physical therapy communities. With costs to treat this disorder surpassing 60 billion annually, a common sense treatment approach is being sought by both private and federal communities.
There are many pathways to muscle imbalance in the hand, and considerable research has examined the pressure system surrounding the carpal canal. This work has shown that people with carpal tunnel syndrome have markedly increased pressure in the carpal canal in the hand following minor movement in the wrist that involve repetitive and/or static wrist and finger flexion. The longer these types of activities are performed, the greater the muscle imbalance develops and the more severe the symptoms become. As the finger and wrist flexor muscles that close the hand become more developed than their opposing extensor muscles that open the hand, the stronger muscles cause the bones to shift in the direction due to the “pulling” action of the stronger muscles and results in the impingement of the structures between. In this case, the median nerve is impinged. As the median nerve and flexor tendons now have to glide past each other as the fingers and wrist flex and extend while being in a state of impingement, there is increased friction which irritates the tendons and nerve and causes inflammation and swelling of these tissues. The result of this pressure and secondary swelling is a further increase in edema inside the median nerve. (Swelling is often thought of as the “cause” of carpal tunnel, when in fact it is the “result” of being irritated due to its state of being impinged between the flexor tendons inside the carpal tunnel which has also been reduced in size due to the collapse / shifting of the carpal bones.)
This entrapment produces a variety of painful symptoms. Indeed, carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by paresthesia (also known as a pins and needles), numbness, tingling and a lack of coordination of the fingers along with muscle degeneration if left untreated, but it may also include pain, stiffness, tenderness, and swelling, and many people with the condition notice themselves assuming a ginger stance at the computer keyboard or workstation. As symptoms progress and worsen over time, carpal tunnel syndrome generally includes muscle wasting, diminished strength, and a serious loss of overall dexterity and coordination.
Although the disorder is significantly debilitating, effective treatments do exist. Those with the most scientific support target symptoms by restoring muscle balance in the hand. Most often a combination of strengthening and lengthening exercises combined with supportive equipment is enough to improve symptoms dramatically.
By addressing carpal tunnel with conservative modes of treatment (Flextend), people can usually avoid the high failure rates associated with treatments like cortisone injections and surgery. Always be sure to consult with your physician and be sure that you have a received an accurate diagnosis of your condition, but if you do not agree with your doctor, seek a second or third opinion.
Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, is a therapist and inventor of products like Flextend, AC-Kit, TFT-Kit, and Restore, that are used by professional musicians and athletes an around the world to prevent and treat disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injuries.http://www.repetitive-strain.com
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