Bainbridge Island, WA (206) 842-2702

Dr. Kirk Petheram, D.C.

748 Winslow Way • Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 • (206) 842-2702

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Headache Treatment for Children

by Dr. Kirk Petheram, D.C.
July 12th, 2011

It is important to consider appropriate headache treatment for children.

Why Is Headache Treatment For Children Important? Over 50% of Boys and 70% of Girls Suffer With Headaches

Children can suffer from the same types of headaches as adults do although their symptoms may vary. Some kinds of headaches include tension headaches, migraines, chronic daily headaches, cluster headache and sinuses headaches.

It is actually common for headaches to start in childhood or adolescence, for instance, 20% of adults who suffer headaches report that their headaches started before age 10 while 50% report they started before age 20.

 

Why Is Headache Treatment Important For Children? Over 56% of Boys and 74% of Girls Suffer From Headaches!

The incidence of headaches in children and adolescents is very common.
One study reported that 56% of boys and 74% of girls between 12 and 17 indicated having experienced a form of headache within the past month. It’s easy to understand why providing effective headache treatment for children is important.

The causes of headaches in children include either one factor or a combination of factors. Some of the most common factors include genetic predisposition, especially in the case of migraine; head trauma, produced by accidental falls; illness and infection, for example in the presence of ear or sinus infection as well as colds and flu; environmental factors, which include weather changes; emotional factors, such as stress, anxiety, and depression; foods and beverages, caffeine or food additives; change in sleep or routine pattern; loud noises. Also, excess physical activity or sun may be a trigger specifically of migraine.

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Categories Headache Treament
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Effective Headache Treatment – 8 Simple Yet Effective Ways Overcome Your Headaches

by Dr. Kirk Petheram, D.C.
July 12th, 2011

Effective Headache Treatment – 8 Simple Yet Effective Ways Overcome Your Headaches

Protecting Your Sleep Is An Integral Part Of Effective Headache Treatment

Often times we overlook the simple in search for the complex as it relates to effective headache treatment. The following is a list of ways to help you decrease or even help overcome your headaches for good:
1. Water
2. Exercise
3. Quit Smoking
4. Stress Management
5. Proper Sleep
6. Eat Properly
7. Vitamins and Minerals
8. Improved Posture

More Water:
A simple first step in overcoming your headaches is to drink plenty of water. Studies show that most people are dehydrated.  Dehydration causes muscle contraction (cramp), and as easily as dehydration can cause muscle pain elsewhere in the body, it can also cause head pain. Effective headache treatment is very difficult when dehydration is present.

A good rule is to consume at least half your body

Exercise:
A brisk walk gets the circulation going, and the fresh air can ease the throbbing of a headache. Studies show reductions in the frequency and intensity of migraine following consistent aerobic exercise over several weeks. Caution here because Tension-Type headaches may increase with exercise. Consult with your doctor to ensure that the type of exercises you are performing are safe and effective, and will not cause an increase in your headaches.

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Categories Headache Treament
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Understanding Headache Treatment and Prevention

by Dr. Kirk Petheram, D.C.
July 12th, 2011

Understanding Headache Treatment and Prevention

Red Wine Can Be A Deterant To Effective Headache Treatment

It’s no secret that headache treatment and prevention is a hot topic in health care today. The fact that over 50 million people are suffering with headaches has led to a serge in headache treatment alternatives.

Headaches are more common in adults, although they can develop at any time in life. Approximately 4 out of 5 children have headaches at some point, but most are benign and self-resolving. In fact, many adults who suffer from headaches report having the first headache in childhood.

Headache symptoms usually begin gradually. In fact, the sudden onset of severe headache may signify a serious problem and requires immediate medical attention. Common headache is often described as achy, dull or throbbing pain. It typically begins at the base of the skull/upper part of the neck and may radiate into the eye(s), the temple, or other locations. Headaches may be felt on one or both sides of the head. Often loud noises or bright lights may make them worse. Some patients may become nauseated or experience odd smells, sounds, or sights before and during the headache attack.

How Is a Headache Evaluated?
Early diagnosis and treatment are important in identifying a serious underlying cause for your headache. In most cases, an in-depth history and physical examination can help determine if your symptoms are related to an easily treated problem, or if it is more serious.

Headache Diaries Are An Effective Part Of Overall Headache Treatment

Your doctor can use other tests that reproduce the symptoms of your headache to help develop a specific headache treatment management plan, or refer you to another health care provider. X-rays, laboratory tests and even advanced imaging studies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be necessary.

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Categories Headache Treament
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The Caffeine Connection & Chronic Daily Headache Treatment

by Dr. Kirk Petheram, D.C.
July 12th, 2011

The Caffeine Connection & Chronic Daily Headache Treatment

Woman with headache drinking coffee

Millions of Americans seek headache treatment for what is known as Chronic Daily Headaches. They are excruciating headaches that last for days and return at a moment’s notice. Often, they surface in the teenage years and last through much of adulthood. It’s a condition that has existed for centuries, doctors say, but only recently has it been given a name: “chronic daily headaches,” or CDH, defined as migraines or neck and head squeezing tension headaches that are present 15 or more days each month.

Chronic daily headaches are estimated to affect 2% to 3% of the general population and define a group of patients that require unique diagnostic and management needs. Chronic daily headache treatment is one of the major reasons a patient would seek care from a doctor of chiropractic.

In addition to suffering from the pain, chronic daily headaches significantly affects an individual’s ability to function within the family, in society, and on the job, which adds to the burden of the disorder. In fact, compared to the migraine population, chronic daily headache sufferers are nearly five times as likely to be unemployed.

A new study published by the prestigious medical journal, “Neurology,” has revealed a connection between CDH and caffeine consumption. So before you reach for your next Cup o’ Jo’, here are a few things you may want to know!

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Categories Headache Treament
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Rationale For Headache Treatment Of The Cervicogenic Headache

by Dr. Kirk Petheram, D.C.
July 12th, 2011

Headache Treatment Solutions

Woman seeking headache treatment for chronic daily headache.

Until recently, the medical understanding of headaches and headache treatment has not taken into account the chiropractic model. The concept that headache pain can originate from cervical dysfunction is still completely foreign to most of the medical profession. Noted researcher Nikolai Bogduk, MD, PhD, professor of anatomy at Newcastle, Australia, commented: “The people in control of the headache field seemingly have not, cannot, or will not, recognize this paradox; that the model for cervicogenic headache is not only the best evolved of all headaches but is testable in vivo, in patients with headache complaints. No other form of headache has that facility.”

Several years ago, a Canadian anesthesiologist, Peter Rothbart, MD, FRCPC, came to the same conclusions about headache treatment for the cervicogenic headache. Dr. Rothbart made many observations in his own pain management practice, which subsequently led to an article in the Toronto Star, the most widely read newspaper in Canada. The Toronto Star article, “A Pain in the Neck,” was subtitled: “Chiropractors Were Right.”

Scientific Evidence for Headache Treatment

“Many headaches are caused by damaged structures in the neck — and scientific evidence proves it.” The article explained that years ago, French medical professor Robert Maigne “came to believe that many headaches originated with a structural problem in the neck.” He was “thought to be a lunatic,” said Dr. Rothbart. But others took up Dr. Maigne’s work, including Dr. Nikolai Bogduk.

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Categories Headache Treament
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Dr. Kirk Petheram, D.C.
 748 Winslow Way   •   Bainbridge Island, WA 98110  •   (206) 842-2702