Highland Chiropractor

It will likely come as no surprise to you that humans require air and water, in that order, for survival. And, the odds are pretty good that you, along with most other adults, haven’t tried to hold your breath to see how long you could go without breathing (or in order to see if mom or dad would give in and give you what you wanted) since you were a child. But, how often do you forgo the other necessity of life…drinking water? And, not just drinking water, but drinking enough water. In order for the human body to function optimally, it needs water (and plenty of it!) Every cell, tissue, organ and system in your body relies on the water you drink. Would it surprise you to know that your saliva, and the fluids around your joints, are essentially water? So, in addition to producing dry mouth, dehydration may make your joints ache. Furthermore, water regulates the temperature and metabolism of your body and keeps your blood circulating. And, there are still more wonders to drinking sufficient water, such as the improvement of nutrient absorption and toxin removal, as well as the reduction of heartburn, hypertension, exhaustion, headaches. Even back pain has been attributed to staying well-hydrated. As a Chiropractor in Highland I make it a point to ask my patients with back pain and joint pain if they are drinking sufficient water on a daily basis, and I advise all of my patients to drink plenty of water on a daily basis.

When it comes to staying well-hydrated, “water on the brain” is a very good thing! Drinking enough water is fundamental for optimum health in all the ways described above and, most likely, in ways that medical science has yet to discover. Now, most humans would not be silly enough to attempt to go through the day without breathing, yet all too often many of us go through our day either not drinking water at all or not drinking enough. Every human body requires good hydration no matter what physical activity someone may engage in throughout the day. Athletes (and you’d think they’d be far more cognizant of the importance of hydration than non-athletes!) are markedly at risk when it comes to functional challenges caused by dehydration. “Physiologically, the core body temperature of an athlete could be higher than it should have been if they were hydrated. Their heart rate will be higher, and they’re going to perceive that they’re working harder than they actually are,” says Researcher, Susan Yeargin, assistant professor of athletic training in Indiana State’s College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services.

People often ask how much water is sufficient. Chiropractors like me, your Highland chiropractor, agree with most health care professionals in advising at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day for the majority of our patients. However, we advise even more for our patients who are athletes, or for patients who carry around excess weight or exercise or work where it’s hot. So, what is the key in determining if you’re drinking “enough” water? It’s surprisingly easy! The answer is in the color of your urine. If you’re well-hydrated, your urine will be a light, pale yellow!

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Hormonal Imbalance Video

Hormonal headaches are a serious and often times debilitating form of headache that effects only women. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can have significant effects on the brain, often triggering severe headaches. Hormonal headaches are a part of the overall premenstrual cycle, and can begin eleven to seven days before the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of hormonal headaches typically involve fairly serious pain not unlike a migraine, usually accompanied by a sensitivity to light and loud noises. The pain can typically be described as a throbbing like sensation. A great number of women experience hormonal headaches at one point or another in their life. The occurence of hormonal headaches is difficult to predict, although contraceptives are known to have an effect on their frequency. In some women, oral contraceptives provide a trigger for migraine like headaches, while in others it actually mitigates the effects of the headaches. Accurately predicting the effect that oral contraceptives will have is difficult. Outside of contraceptives, the the real reasons behind hormonal headache remain unknown. Preventing hormonal headaches can be difficult, or even next to impossible. Fortunately, treatment for the effects of hormonal headaches can be highly effective. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can do a good job of handling the symptoms of hormonal headaches. Treatment with these over the counter drugs around five to seven days prior to a menstrual period can mitigate their effects. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all effective treatments for hormone headaches. These NSAID medications can possibly also play a role in reducing other premenstrual symptoms. Migraine medications, such as triptans, can also be used to lessen the impact of hormone headaches. Although not a direct treatment for the cause of the headaches, triptans can significantly reduce the associated pain. Triptans and NSAID medication should be used wisely when attempting to reduce hormonal headaches, because they can cause reactions if overused. Overuse of both triptans and NSAID medication can result in what are known as “rebound” headaches, where the symptoms emerge even stronger after the effects of the medication has worn off. In addition to the premenstrual cycle, hormonal headaches can be triggered during other periods of wide fluctuation in hormone levels. The early periods of childbirth can cause widespread changes in hormone levels, and this can commonly result in hormonal headaches. The days after childbirth are also a prime time for hormonal headaches to occur. Menopause can also frequently be associated with hormonal headaches.

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Cause Of Headaches Video

Although medical science has not yet found the exact cause of headaches, some of the most common causes can typically be blamed in the majority of cases.  Headaches are broken down into three basic categories.  A primary headache occurs to millions on a daily basis.  Primary headaches constitute the vast majority of headaches, and are almost never life threatening.  Despite this frequency of occurence and a lack of life threatening danger, the primary headache can be very uncomfortable.  Cluster headaches are a much rarer and far more painful variety, that although not life threatening, can cause debilitating pain.  Secondary headaches are caused by a structural or chemical problem in the brain.

It is believed that over 90% of primary headaches, which most people experience, can be blamed on tension.  The muscles that surround the skull sometimes contract, putting too much pressure on the head.  This can cause a severe amount of pain.  Although the reasons for skull muscle contraction are difficult to ascertain, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress.  Significant emotional stress typically results in a contraction of the muscles, and therefore a tension related headache.  Prolonged physical stress, such as extended manual labor, is also known to cause tension headaches.

Cluster headaches happen less frequently, and typically only occur in a small portion of the population.  Patients typically see cluster headaches only in small time frames, thus the name “cluster” headache.  This can make prevention and treatment difficult.  When a cluster headache occurs, severe and debilitating pain usually follows.  Water running from the eyes and nose are common with cluster headaches.  Treatment should be undertaken as soon as possible to bring the pain under control.

Secondary headaches usually represent a more serious issue.  This occurs on a far rarer basis than primary headaches.  A secondary headache can be indicative of internal bleeding in the brain, a tumor, or a malfunction of the brain.  Headaches that occur frequently or on a regular basis should be cause for a check with the doctor.  Secondary headaches sometimes present with severe pain and sensory issues.

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