Skip to main content

Chronic Headaches

People of any age can suffer from chronic headaches. These may be migraines or other types of headaches. If you are suffering from frequent headaches you should have a full neurological evaluation by a physician. Many different medications are used to treat headaches. Some are used for acute headache attacks while others are used to prevent recurrence of headaches. While the prescriptions used for acute migraine headaches can provide welcome relief, you may experience worse rebound headaches or chronic digestive upset after using these medications. Also, medications used for headache prevention often have limited success. It is no wonder that many people are seeking alternate solutions for their headaches. To successfully treat chronic headaches, the first goal should be to identify the underlying cause(s) and possible triggers.

Common headache triggers:

  • Food allergies and sensitivities
  • Environmental allergies and chronic sinusitis
  • Reactions to food dyes and preservatives
  • Hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, or menopause
  • Blood sugar dysregulation
  • Chronic muscle tension
  • Dehydration
  • Poor vision

Allergy Triggers

Food allergy elimination diets can be helpful to identify possible food and preservative triggers. Specialized blood food allergy is testing available to assess reactions to foods, food preservatives and colorings, and region-specific environmental allergens. Testing is a helpful way to narrow down what can seem like an overwhelming list of headache triggers. If you have environmental allergies, chronic sinus problems, asthma or eczema there is a good chance that you may have reactions to foods and chemicals.

Hormone Headaches

Headaches can be hormone related when they occur monthly during a women's cycle- often occurring at ovulation or at the beginning of menses. Frequently, women in perimenopause can begin to have worsening headaches all month long. Women's hormones begin to fluctuate unpredictably around ages 35 to 55 and their periods become more irregular until they stop completely. Treatments aimed at balancing hormone levels and regulating cycles can prove to be beneficial for women with these types of hormonal headaches.

Often, women will take oral contraceptives to help regulate their menstrual cycles. Some women cannot tolerate birth control pills and find they cause bloating, weight gain, irritability, decreased libido and worse headaches. Other women are not comfortable using these synthetic forms of hormones and instead choose physicians who are well versed in the use of bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones are those hormones with the same chemical structure as the hormones produced in the human body. Hormone prescriptions are not right for everyone, but a full discussion of the risks and benefits of bio-identical hormones can help determine if hormone therapy is right for you. There are also other natural treatments using diet, herbs and nutrients that are used to effectively balance hormones without using hormone prescriptions.

Herbs and nutrients beneficial for those with headaches:

In addition to identifying food allergies and hormone balancing, there are several different herbs and nutrients that have also been shown to be effective for reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches in clinical trials.

  • Magnesium: This mineral helps relax muscles and blood vessels, improving blood flow and decreasing migraine headaches. It appears to be most effective for headache prevention when it is given to people deficient in magnesium. You are more likely to be deficient in magnesium if you eat less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, indulge in caffeinated drinks regularly, and tend towards constipation. Typically a daily dose of 300mg- 600mg of a tri-magnesium or magnesium citrate is supplemented. Magnesium may cause loose stools at higher doses so we usually have our patients start at a lower dose and gradually increase the dose over time. If you have poor kidney function you should consult with a physician before supplementing magnesium.
  • B2 (riboflavin): This B-vitamin is usually well tolerated, even at the high doses recommended to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. It is thought to promote cellular energy in the mitochondria, the powerful engine of each cell in the body. A common starting dose for this vitamin is 400mg per day. Take this vitamin with food to avoid stomach upset.
  • CoQ10: Better known for its use in heart disease, CoQ10 is now also being studied for migraine prevention. Like vitamin B2, CoQ10 also helps boost cellular energy and support mitochondria function. Research shows that using 100mg of CoQ10 three times/day for 3 months can reduce migraine headaches by almost half.
  • Butterbur: This well studied herb has been shown to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of migraine headaches when used consistently for 16 weeks. It is thought to have many different actions including decreasing blood vessel spasms, decreasing inflammation, and decreasing allergic reactions. We recommend using a product that uses a standardized extract of 15% of petasin, one of the most active constituents of this herb. Doses starting at 75mg twice daily seem to be the most effective.
  • Feverfew: This is one of the most popular natural treatments used to prevent migraine headaches. It is not completely known how this herb works. It is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects, improve blood flow and promote serotonin release. Clinical studies have shown 50-100mg per day of feverfew extracts to be effective however those with ragweed allergies may have a cross reaction to this herb.
  • Melatonin: Best known for its sleep promoting effects, melatonin is also showing some promise in the treatment of headaches. Not only does this hormone help establish a good sleep rhythm, which is important in the prevention of headaches, it is also thought to modify pain perception in the brain. There is some evidence that patients with migraine headaches have lower levels of melatonin production. Using 3-10mg every night before bed may help reduce migraine and cluster type headaches.

In our medical practice we find that it is most effective to conquer headaches by using a multi-disciplined approach. We often refer patients to acupuncturists, chiropractors or massage therapists to address chronic muscle tension, pain and misalignment. At the same time, we will begin to eliminate dietary food triggers, recommend nutritional supplementation for at least 4 months, and address any hormone imbalances. By taking this holistic approach to migraine treatment many find a significant reduction in their headaches within several months. If you suffer from headaches, the natural approaches that we mention may help reduce your headaches overtime and also promote a healthier lifestyle.