7 Common Causes of Chronic Headaches

In 2010, I was involved in a serious accident when a drunk driver ran a red light and broadsided our vehicle. This driver took the life of my fiance and injured me pretty seriously. That horrific incident not only turned my world upside down . . . it also caused several chronic issues for me healthwise, including neverending headaches and migraines. 

Chances are, you are suffering from a headache today. There are likely a number of people reading this post right now who have a headache. That's because millions of Americans suffer from mild-to-intense headaches. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 20 people in the developed world suffer from chronic headaches on a daily basis.

For those who have more days per month with a headache than without, life starts to feel like an endurance test more than anything else. Between the pain, the throbbing, and the pounding, folks with chronic headaches will begin to have difficulty concentrating. This lack of focus can prove quite dangerous, especially if your job puts you in hazardous situations.

If your headaches began all of a sudden and have lasted for three months or longer, you may be experiencing what experts refer to as New Daily Persistent Headaches (NDPH). Such head pain may grow or slack off in intensity, but they are constant. There are medications to provide relief for such round-the-clock headaches, as well as relaxation techniques and biofeedback which have had some success in treating NDPH's.

Do you or someone you know have chronic headaches? Here are seven common causes, along with some idea about how to remedy such triggers.

1. Medications

Some prescription medications may have the potential to trigger a headache. It may not be just one medication causing the problem, but rather an interaction between prescriptions or even over-the-counter medications. If you've recently switched up your prescription routine, and seen a corresponding increase in headaches, please consult with your doctor.

2. Stress & Anxiety

Stress can take a toll on you, and it's a common cause of tension headaches. If you can avoid stressful situations, great. If not, learning to cope with stress and be more chill could really help. If you're unfamiliar with breathing exercises, just Google it! They're easy to find online and take very little time and effort to yield results. Breathing and relaxation exercises may ease anxiety in stressful situations and prevent possible headaches. Just remember to breathe, relax and maybe take a stroll if your present environment is causing you undue stress.

3. Auditory & Visual Causes

Loud, repetitive sounds can definitely lead to bad headaches ... just ask anyone who has lived nearby a construction site. But it's not just super-loud sounds, even low levels of continuous noise can trigger head pain. Calming music playing over noise-canceling headphones may help. Brightness from your computer screen, sunlight or overhead lights can ramp up the pain. Turning down your screen brightness, or simply switching your devices to night-mode, could make a significant difference.

4. Hormonal Changes

The sad truth is that women are more likely to suffer from chronic headaches than men. When estrogen levels drop, especially right before a period, you may be more likely to develop a headache. Keep track of your cycle in a journal or diary. By analyzing the data, you may be better able to plan for future headaches. I recommend that you share your diary with your doctor, especially if the patterns indicate a correlation between your cycle and chronic headaches.

5. Poor Posture

Believe it or not, but your parents were right. Maintaining good posture can have a noticeable effect on your health. This is no laughing matter, especially for those of us who spend a lot of time looking down at our phones (text neck, it's a thing). Whether you're in your office chair or on your couch at home, sit up straight and raise your device to eye level to keep your blood flowing. Be sure to get up and move around every so often, especially if you spend hours hunched over your desk. Just as it is important to be aware of your posture during the day, you should also be mindful of your body position when you sleep. Don’t sleep in a strangely contorted position - especially in a cold room – as this can lead to painful muscle spasms. No one enjoys waking up in excruciating pain, especially if you're already sleep-deprived, so take this suggestion to heart!

6. Too Little or Too Much Exercise

Since Ancient Greek times, thinkers and philosophers have cautioned us with variations on the phrase, "moderation in all things." Both physical over-exertion and not getting sufficient exercise can increase your risk for headaches. If you're leading a mostly sedentary life now and plan to begin an exercise routine, just be sure to start things off slow at the gym. Pushing too hard can result in an exertion headache from the swelling of blood vessels in your head, neck, and scalp. To avoid such scenarios, talk to your doctor before beginning or revising any exercise regimen.

7. Poor Nutrition

Food and drink release neurotransmitters, which can cause headaches in some people. Such triggers include aspartame, caffeinated beverages, chocolate, alcohol (especially red wine), cheese and others. Skipping meals or eating junk foods can deprive your body of sorely needed nutrition. Doctors recommend focusing on a healthy balanced diet, with a good mixture of slow-release energy foods (taken in small, evenly spaced meals) and limiting your intake of refined sugars. To ensure that you're getting all of the nourishment you need, I encourage you to check out our selection of premium health supplements. Each innovative product was carefully formulated by registered dietitian, healthy cooking expert and author Keri Glassman, founder and president of Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life.

If you have eliminated all of these potential causes as the trigger of your head pain, be aware that there are other serious causes that can lead to a sudden headache. Make an appointment with your doctor right away and ask them to order imaging tests such as an MRI or a CT scan - to rule out more serious conditions that require immediate treatment.

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Raven is a self-described animal whisperer, lifelong pet parent, and owner of HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com.        She is certified as a holistic consultant, aromatherapist, Reiki practitioner (for animals & their people), and pet nutritionist. She encourages others to celebrate animals as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled! When Raven isn't busy being a slave to her very demanding senior cats or helping her favorite rescues with fundraising projects, she is most likely working on growing her businesses and raising awareness in an effort to make this world a better place for all animals. 

Dog Weight Issues & What You Can Do About It!

Have you noticed that your dog is looking . . . well . . . a little rotund lately? A bit more curvaceous than usual? You’re not alone! Approximately 54% of dogs in the United States are classified as overweight. But just because Fido has lots of company doesn’t mean that he’s in the clear. Extra weight is linked to a variety of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight ~ You know your dog better than anyone ~ so you’ve likely already noticed if he has gained weight over a relatively short period. But extra bulk is a bit more difficult to recognize if he’s been slowly packing on the pounds over the years. Here are two fail-safe ways to determine if Fido is at the correct weight:


Feel his ribs: Run your hands along his sides toward the tail, feeling for his ribs. If you can find them beneath a thin layer of flesh, he is probably at the correct weight. If you can barely feel them under a layer of fat, he is likely overweight.


View him from the top and side: A visual inspection of your dog’s body is also important. Look at his body from above. Does he have an hourglass shape, with a slight narrowing behind the rib cage? Also, view the lines of his body from the side. Does his stomach tuck up behind the rib cage? If the answer to both questions is yes, he’s likely at the correct weight. If his body has no definition from above or from the side, he is probably overweight.



What to do if Your Dog is Overweight:


Take him to the vet: Have a vet examine your dog just to make sure that he isn’t experiencing a health problem. Some conditions, such as thyroid disease and Cushing’s disease, can cause rapid weight gain.


Cut back on meals: It’s quite possible that you’re feeding Fido too much at mealtimes. Often the serving size on commercial dog food labels advises a larger portion than is necessary for an individual dog. Every dog is different, and every dog also metabolizes food differently. With this in mind, start out with the recommended serving size but observe your dog carefully. If he looks like he’s gaining weight, slowly cut back on how much you’re feeding; if he appears to be losing weight, feed slightly more until he’s at the recommended weight for his breed. Then simply maintain the portion size that works for your dog.  You may also want to try feeding a quality, premium Weight Loss Formula for Adult Dogs!


Feed him on a schedule: Dogs who are “free-fed” ~ given access to their food bowls all day ~ are more likely to be overweight than those who eat on a regular schedule. To help keep Fido healthy, schedule his meals at consistent times and take his food bowl away after 10 to 15 minutes.


Provide healthy treats: Supplement correctly portioned meals with healthy, low-calorie treats, such as cut-up veggies, plain popcorn, or other healthy treats. Make sure that you account for the calories in treats when feeding your dog his meals ~ these should be subtracted from his total caloric allowance for the day.  For healthy, natural, never recalled wholesome treats, try Wholesome Hearts Baked Low-Fat Treats for Dogs.


Exercise him: Of course, any diet plan should be accompanied by the proper amount of exercise. Keep your dog active by making sure that he gets a few daily walks and multiple lively play periods ~ but work up to this gradually. An overweight dog won’t be able to sustain this kind of energy level overnight.


Continue to assess your dog’s progress on a monthly basis to be sure that he’s at a healthy weight, and maintain, maintain, maintain when he has reached his goal! A nutritious diet, meals fed on a regular schedule, and exercise will add years to his life. ♥

Learn more and order here:

www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

Dog Weight Issues & What You Can Do About It!

Have you noticed that your dog is looking . . . well . . . a little rotund lately? A bit more curvaceous than usual? You’re not alone! Approximately 54% of dogs in the United States are classified as overweight. But just because Fido has lots of company doesn’t mean that he’s in the clear. Extra weight is linked to a variety of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight ~ You know your dog better than anyone ~ so you’ve likely already noticed if he has gained weight over a relatively short period. But extra bulk is a bit more difficult to recognize if he’s been slowly packing on the pounds over the years. Here are two fail-safe ways to determine if Fido is at the correct weight:


Feel his ribs: Run your hands along his sides toward the tail, feeling for his ribs. If you can find them beneath a thin layer of flesh, he is probably at the correct weight. If you can barely feel them under a layer of fat, he is likely overweight.


View him from the top and side: A visual inspection of your dog’s body is also important. Look at his body from above. Does he have an hourglass shape, with a slight narrowing behind the rib cage? Also, view the lines of his body from the side. Does his stomach tuck up behind the rib cage? If the answer to both questions is yes, he’s likely at the correct weight. If his body has no definition from above or from the side, he is probably overweight.



What to do if Your Dog is Overweight:


Take him to the vet: Have a vet examine your dog just to make sure that he isn’t experiencing a health problem. Some conditions, such as thyroid disease and Cushing’s disease, can cause rapid weight gain.


Cut back on meals: It’s quite possible that you’re feeding Fido too much at mealtimes. Often the serving size on commercial dog food labels advises a larger portion than is necessary for an individual dog. Every dog is different, and every dog also metabolizes food differently. With this in mind, start out with the recommended serving size but observe your dog carefully. If he looks like he’s gaining weight, slowly cut back on how much you’re feeding; if he appears to be losing weight, feed slightly more until he’s at the recommended weight for his breed. Then simply maintain the portion size that works for your dog.  You may also want to try feeding a quality, premium Weight Loss Formula for Adult Dogs!


Feed him on a schedule: Dogs who are “free-fed” ~ given access to their food bowls all day ~ are more likely to be overweight than those who eat on a regular schedule. To help keep Fido healthy, schedule his meals at consistent times and take his food bowl away after 10 to 15 minutes.


Provide healthy treats: Supplement correctly portioned meals with healthy, low-calorie treats, such as cut-up veggies, plain popcorn, or other healthy treats. Make sure that you account for the calories in treats when feeding your dog his meals ~ these should be subtracted from his total caloric allowance for the day.  For healthy, natural, never recalled wholesome treats, try Wholesome Hearts Baked Low-Fat Treats for Dogs.


Exercise him: Of course, any diet plan should be accompanied by the proper amount of exercise. Keep your dog active by making sure that he gets a few daily walks and multiple lively play periods ~ but work up to this gradually. An overweight dog won’t be able to sustain this kind of energy level overnight.


Continue to assess your dog’s progress on a monthly basis to be sure that he’s at a healthy weight, and maintain, maintain, maintain when he has reached his goal! A nutritious diet, meals fed on a regular schedule, and exercise will add years to his life. ♥

Learn more and order here:

www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

A Practical Approach to a Lifestyle of Wellness in 2016

As we get further into 2016, how are your resolutions holding up?! A lot of us make resolutions on New Year's Day in an effort to live better, however, as we get further into the new year, many of those resolutions tend to go by the wayside. If your resolutions include eating better, exercising, and adopting other healthy habits, here are a few tips to help in your quest for wellness:

1. Improve Your Intake

• H2O! ~ Simply increasing your water intake will help detoxify your body and motivate you to be more conscientious of what else you’re ingesting. Try adding tasty essential oils to your water make it more interesting. Lemon, Lime, and Tangerine are all favorites, but don’t forget Grapefruit, Lavender, and Peppermint! In fact, try making your own Grapefruit-Mint Spritzer to enjoy a great blend of flavors that may make sweets and sugary drinks a little less appealing.

• Super Snacks ~ Replace your favorite unhealthy treats with wholesome alternatives to help you stay on track. These Nuts About Wolfberries Energy Bars and Wolfberry Crisp Bars can be made ahead of time for a delicious and satisfying snack anytime you’re tempted.

• Supplements ~ If NingXia Red^® and Wellness Supplements^™ aren’t already part of your daily regimen, try adding them in the coming year to add an infusion of nutrients and essential oils to your day.

2. Sneak In Some Exercise

• Take the Scenic Route ~ We keep hearing it because it keeps working! Walk the long way to the bathroom, park further away in the parking lot, or take the “bumblebee” approach to your grocery list. A few more steps each day go a long way in the end.
• Flex ~ In line at the store, on the couch watching TV, during your shower, or any other time you are otherwise sedentary, flex your abs for 10 seconds at a time and repeat at least 10 times to tone and strengthen your core.
• Ditch Your Desk ~ Forget the phone or email and walk to your co-workers’ desks to talk, have walking meetings, pace while you are on the phone, stretch regularly at your desk, and take a short walk for your breaks. It’s easy to get your 30 minutes of exercise each day when you break it into 10-minute increments.

3. Review and Revise

• Meditate ~ Take time each day for quiet reflection and meditation on your goals, as well as your peace of mind. Just a few minutes to nurture your soul each day will help give you a greater sense of purpose and well-being.
• Track It ~  The simple act of observing something creates observable changes. So keep track of your food and water intake, your exercise, your meditation, and any other goals you have ~ you are bound to improve on them!
• ALL Results Motivate Change ~ Even if the scale goes up or you miss your workout, recognizing mistakes and their consequences will help keep you motivated to improve. Likewise, your positive results will help you keep up the great work.

Small changes can make a big difference in physical, mental, and emotional health. What are some changes you have already made for a better you in 2016?

Have Questions?! Contact Me HERE!

Get started on YOUR amazing essential oils journey here:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com