Everyday Triggers of Migraines-Headaches

Migraines and Other Headaches

If you’ve ever had a migraine, you’re probably cringing at the thought of having a recurrence. Just a few of the symptoms presented by migraines include intense pain, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, feeling nauseated followed by vomiting. Quite a few migraine sufferers also experience numbness, a tingling sensation, visual disturbances, including auras and in some cases having difficulty communicating. One of the most devastating parts of having a migraine headache is how long they can last – anywhere from hours to several days.

As physicians and chiropractors, discover more about migraines and other headaches, they’re finding impressive ways to address the pain before it even starts, as well as prevent it from recurring. Migraines, tension headaches, cluster and stress headaches are all health related issues that are commonly treated with invasive surgery or drugs.

Migraine Statistics

Did you know 5% of all people have had a migraine by the age of 15? With age, that percentage increases, leading to an estimate by the National Headache Foundation that 28 million people in the U.S. experience migraines.

No one is quite sure what causes migraines, but it seems they are often triggered by external factors. Knowing these factors can help individuals take steps to reduce the onset of these debilitating headaches, so they can live more pain free lives.

Migraines Headache Triggers

There are a number of factors that can trigger migraines, including diet, caffeine intake, stress, excessive light and/or sound, fatigue, hormonal changes and smoking. In most cases, these triggers aren’t the root cause of the migraines which makes them difficult to treat.

Food Allergies – Often it is not the food itself that triggers them, rather it is a chemical or preservative in the food or beverage that causes them. Some common culprits include: aged cheese, alcohol, pepperoni, hot dogs, lunch meat, and MSG. Up to 30% of migraine sufferers may experience these debilitating headaches because of a food or beverage related additive or preservative.

Emotional Stress – Our bodies are equipped with self-defense systems, which often go into defense mode when external factors try to invade our bodies. When a person experiences stress, certain chemicals are released into the brain. The release of these chemicals can cause vascular changes, which can lead to migraines.

Caffeine – This can occur in people because they either consume too much caffeine, but it often occurs in people who do not get enough caffeine. The blood vessels of a person who is addicted to caffeine develop a sensitivity to a certain amount of caffeine. They become dependent on receiving the proper amount of caffeine.

Prescription Medication Treatments

You probably know by now that there aren’t any migraine medications that are side effect free; most come with serious, potentially dangerous side effects. Fortunately, if the problem is caused by an upper cervical spine misalignment, there is a safe and natural migraine solution that involves gentle upper cervical chiropractic adjustments which can relieve the intensity and frequency of the migraine.

Are My Migraines Due to Upper Cervical Spine Misalignment?

If you suffer from migraines-headaches, you can take steps to alleviate them. Though, the proper care from an upper cervical chiropractor can determine the cause of your headaches and make sure you receive the proper care. Changing your diet or avoiding situations that may trigger these headaches may mean changing your lifestyle, but a NUCCA specialist can make adjustments to your upper cervical spine so your brain and body communicate better.

Common signs that your migraine problems are linked to upper cervical issues include headaches that start at the base of your skull, your head feels heavy and/or your neck feels tight and painful, you have a history of head and neck injuries, etc. If you have two or more of these symptoms, your migraines are more than likely caused by neck dysfunction. Fortunately, upper cervical Chiropractic care can help.

More and more people are beginning to realize that spinal correction and structural balance are essential for optimum health problems can be addressed correcting the Atlas Subluxation Complex, the misalignment of the head and upper neck. Upper cervical misalignment obstructs the communication process between the brain and body which leads to a wide range issues including stress, tension and pain. These symptoms have the potential of affecting all of the sufferers’ mental and physical activities. It has been proven that many of the symptoms can be reduced or eliminated altogether with the proper correction of the atlas subluxation complex.

If you’re dealing with migraine headaches, you should consider upper cervical chiropractic, a gentle and safe chiropractic care solution that is focused on delivering permanent results.

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Dr. Young Chung of NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago, with a location in Chicago and a 2^nd location in Wheeling is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves Northbrook, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, whiplash injuries, post-concussion syndrome. This type of care has also shown benefits for athletic performance and pregnancy outcomes. More information can be found on our website at http://www.NUCCAwellnessChicago.com/