Hoodia gordonii is a cactus like plant that is native to the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. Indigenous hunters have used it for thousands of years to ward off hunger during long nomadic hunting treks. In the last decade, Hoodia extract has grown in popularity in the west as an appetite suppressant and to promote weight loss. Read the rest of this entry »
Hoodia Gordonii Suppresses Appetite
May 14th, 2008Tension Headaches
May 7th, 2008
There are several different kinds of headaches. The most common type of headache is the tension headache.
The exact cause of these types of headaches is unknown, but there are several factors that have been shown in many cases to cause or at least play a part in tension headaches. This includes things like caffeine withdrawal, eye strain, and stress. Other things like teeth clenching, which results in muscle tension, and other strains on the muscles, has been also been shown to play a part in these types of headaches.
Read the rest of this entry »
Lasik Surgery: Benefits and Risks
May 1st, 2008
Lasik (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a corrective surgical procedure intended to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. The procedure involves creating a thin flap on the eye and then folding the flap so that the tissue underneath can be remodeled with a laser. Read the rest of this entry »
Dehydration and Headaches
April 29th, 2008
Headaches can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the more common causes of headaches is as a result of dehydration. Dehydration is when the body looses water, which is not replenished. Things like heavy exercise or extreme heat can overheat the body and cause dehydration. In some instances dehydration can cause death or serious illness, but this is only if it goes untreated.One of the early signs of dehydration is a headache. When your body is not properly hydrated, it begins to pump blood to the brain to compensate for the loss of fluids. This causes the blood vessels that are closest to your brain, specifically the ones near the eyes and temples, to expand with blood. This expansion causes the area in and around the temples to begin to throb, and often signals the beginning of a bad headache.
It is very important to stay properly hydrated, and by doing so you can prevent headaches that are caused by dehydration. One common misconception is that caffeinated soda and coffee is hydrating, but this is anything but true. Caffeine is actually a diuretic, which increases the release of urine from the body. As you loose water without replenishing it, your body begins to become dehydrated.
Water is by far the best fluid to hydrate your body. There are plenty of other drinks available that can help with dehydration, and many include extra nutrients and vitamins. When you start to feel a headache, or that familiar throb, it is a good idea to begin hydrating your body with water.
Will Medicaid Cover Treatments for Severe Headaches?
April 10th, 2008Medicaid is an entitlement program that was created to provide medical assistance to individuals or families with low income. Unlike Medicare, which is funded entirely by the federal government, Medicaid is jointly funded by both federal and state governments. Each state has its own program but all states must follow federal eligibility requirements. Read the rest of this entry »
Thermogenics Explained
March 8th, 2008Thermogenics are dietary supplements used to stimulate the bodies burning of fat. By increasing the body’s metabolism of adipose tissue, heat is generated. Thermogenic drugs include ephedra, capsicum, ginger, and caffeine.
Clenbuterol for Weight Loss
March 4th, 2008It is no secret that being overweight can lead to a variety of health problems. Often, these problems can inevitably result in an increased frequency of migraine headaches. Changing your diet and engaging in regular exercise are great tried and true methods to shed those pounds but often it is difficult to bring about these drastic changes in lifestyle. Frequently, those with weight problems choose to use dietary supplements as a shortcut to help them loose the weight.
Headache Triggers You Can Avoid
February 27th, 2008There are many headache triggers that you probably come in contact with every day, often without even realizing it. By making just a few alterations in your daily lifestyle, you can avoid many of the triggers that will lead to a severe headache.
House Hold Chemicals
Most house holds are stock full of toxic chemicals that also emit strong odors that can be the cause of headaches for many people. Pay close attention to the types of cleaning chemicals, nail care products, and pesticides that you keep around the house and consider less toxic organic substitutes. Most of the cleaning chemicals used around the house can be substituted with plain old soap and a little elbow grease.
Food
Be conscious of what you are eating. Many seemingly harmless foods can cause headaches in a certain percentage of the population. See my earlier post on avoiding foods that cause headaches.
Radical changes in diet
This includes going on a long fast or trying the latest celebrity diets. Often your body will react negatively to large changes in caloric intake. Changes in blood sugar can also be responsible for headaches when changing your eating habits. If you are making a drastic change in your diet, do so with the supervision of your doctor.
There are plenty of triggers out there that are unavoidable so be aware of the ones that you can avoid and you may avoid at least one painful headache.
Preventing Headaches Due to Eye Strain
February 21st, 2008Headaches are one of the most common physical ailments and are experienced at some point by nearly everyone. 1 in 6 adults suffer from chronic headaches and nearly 50 billion dollars a year is spent in treating headache related symptoms, much of which is covered by individual medical health insurance plans.
Eye strain is a major trigger of headaches for a large percentage of the population. Much of the problem is no doubt due to the amount of time that we all spend in front of television and computer screens both on the job and at home. Although not usually a long term problem, the resulting pain can be very uncomfortable and may effect your productivity.
A few ways to avoid computer related eye strain:
- Take frequent breaks – Look away from the computer screen frequently and focus at object at different distances.
- Blink as much as possible – This will prevent dry eyes. Eyes require lubrication from the tear ducts to work efficiently.
- Use appropriate eyewear – Make sure your prescription is right for computer work. This includes glare resistant coatings and getting yearly eye exams.
If you experience eye strain related headaches frequently and over a long period of time, this could be a indicator of a more serious condition. A more intensive test, such as a CAT scan, may be in order. Be aware that many individual vision insurance plans will not cover the cost of this, so it may be necessary to seek a referral to a specialist if you suspect that your headache is the result of more than just tired eyes.
Hypoglycemia Headaches and Their Causes
February 18th, 2008Headaches experienced by those with diabetes are often a symptom of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Though this is usually experienced by those that have diabetes, it is not necessarily limited to just diabetics. Typically, this is the result of taking too much insulin or not eating enough sugary foods to compensate for the insulin. Hypoglycemia can also be attributed to the following factors:
* taking too much insulin
* using certain medications
* skipping a meal
* engaging in vigorous physical activity
* drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
Diabetic individuals have an increased risk factor for a variety of other health problems that can also lead to chronic headaches as well. High blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease are just a few of the health issues that diabetics face. This reiterates the importance for diabetes prevention especially for those who have a family history of diabetes or if you are a member of one of the more high risk ethnic groups such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, or Asian Americans.
There are many diabetes resources available on the internet if you fear that you are at risk or if you have diabetes and need additional resources. As with any chronic, recurring headaches, seek a physicians advice before attempting any course of treatment. If you think that you are suffering from hypoglycemia or may have diabetes, then ask your doctor about a diabetes screening.