Fumes And Headaches

It can be said that fumes are a part of our lives. Have you ever stopped to wonder what it is in the air we breathe in every day? Outdoors, cars let out fumes. Fumes, soot, ash and various other chemicals are constantly produced by factories. Fumes are also released when garbage is burned, crops are sprayed, asphalt is rolled out and welding is done. Fumes are also known to cause headaches, and with the amount of air pollution in our environment nowadays, it is a miracle that we have not developed permanent headaches!

The list gets even longer indoors; just take a look at the following list for common fumes inside our own homes that we inhale regularly:

- Tobacco smoke
- Perfume
- Oven fumes
- Insect sprays
- Cleaning products
- Paint
- Flowers
- The smell of a new car
- The smell of a new carpet

Solvents:

- Turpentine
- Thinners
- Acetone

All of these fumes and odors have been known to trigger headaches.

Why Fumes Cause Headaches

Fumes contain irritants or toxins that can irritate the delicate lining of the nose, throat and chest. Consequently, the blood vessels in the nose react to the irritation by enlarging and pressing on the nerves, resulting to a headache.

When Bad Smells are Good

Quite often, unpleasant odors act as a warning signal that something, such as rotten meat or sour milk, can't be good for you. Similarly, the headache associated with fumes also serves as a warning, since your body is basically letting you know that it does not like the substance and that you should avoid it quickly.

Carbon Monoxide, the Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is clear and odorless. There is no haze, smoke or smell to warn you of its presence. This makes carbon monoxide a very dangerous substance because you do not get any warning sign. However, you can tell if carbon monoxide is present in your home if you get frequent headaches. In this regard, you can consider yourself lucky as some people simply experience drowsiness and then black out. To ensure the safety of your family, have a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home right away.

Other Things You Should Do

If you get headaches in your home that go away when you are outside breathing fresh air, check the list below because doing so could save your life. In addition to the headaches, check if you also suffer from:

- Tiredness
- Muscle pains
- Upset stomach
- General lethargy
- Dizziness
- Unexplained illness

If some or all of the above holds true for you, then do the following:

- Check the flame on your gas range appliances. An orange color means that you have a big problem. A blue flame does not mean that it is entirely safe either. It is always a good idea to have your appliances checked annually.

- Check if your flue is blocked. If you are not sure, call a professional.

- Horizontal gas grills can pose a potential problem, particularly if you have an older model. Have it checked by a professional to be sure.

- Check your ventilation by inspecting air bricks and trickle vents. Not having enough ventilation means that carbon monoxide can be given off by your appliances.

If you are renting your home, make sure that your landlord issues you a safety certificate and that the appliances are checked annually. If your landlord does not do these things, let him know that the law requires these. And if you are a landlord, you are liable should a tenant becomes ill or dies as a result of your negligence. This is a crime and you can face prison time.

For more help on the prevention, treatment and remedies for migraines please see the Complete Guide To Migraine Headaches.

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Facial Pain And Headaches

While there could be many reasons you could be having facial pain, some of the reasons include dental problems such as tooth decay and bite disorder, neuralgia, earache, eye problems, neck problems, nasal problems, sinus problems and TMJ disorders. This article focuses on the first two on the list: dental problems and neuralgia.

Dental Problems

One in eight Americans suffer from severe and regular headaches that affect their daily lives. While a huge 80% of these headaches are caused by muscle tension, many headaches are caused by having a bad "bite" or simply the way the teeth meet together when the mouth is closed.

Headaches caused by dental problems usually involve the muscles, which can begin to hurt once they become tight for a period of time. The pain can be described as a dull ache that surrounds the head like a band. The pain can also be felt on either one or both sides of the head. In both cases, this headache can be relieved with aspirin.

Symptoms of Headaches Caused by Dental Problems

- Pain behind the eyes

- Tired jaw muscles when waking up in the morning

- Frequent teeth grinding

- Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw

- Tender or painful head and scalp when touched

Facial pain can be a miserable experience, with an intense, piercing or stabbing pain in the face that comes and goes. This pain is commonly felt in the jaw and cheeks, but it can also affect your eye or forehead, though this is far less common. In 97% of cases, only one side of the face is affected, with the first stabbing pain lasting for a few minutes, hours or even days, which is then replaced by a dull, prolonged ache.

The medical term for this is Trigeminal neuralgia or TGN, which means extreme pain from a nerve, in this case, the trigeminal nerve. Each side of the face has a trigeminal nerve that splits into three. These nerves normally take the sensations of touch and pain from the face, teeth and mouth to your brain. While the reason for TGN is not really understood, it is believed the pain is caused by the blood vessels pressing on the nerves.

Women and generally people over 50 are known to be mainly affected with TGN, although on occasion children can have it. During TGN, the face becomes extremely sensitive that even the slightest touch can trigger the pain. Because of this, TGN sufferers often stop washing their face, stop shaving, and even resort to not eating just to avoid triggering the pain.

Treatment

While there are no diagnostic tests for TGN, its symptoms are quite distinctive, so your doctor will realize what it is when you describe it. Over-the-counter painkillers are not able to treat TGN; instead, an anticonvulsant drug similar for treating epilepsy is often used, as it helps to slow down the nerve impulses, eventually reducing the pain. This drug typically takes around two or three days to work. If you suffer constantly from TGN, the best recourse for you may be surgery, which can help relieve the pressure on the trigeminal nerve.

For more help on the prevention, treatment and remedies for migraines please see the Complete Guide To Migraine Headaches.

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Possible Natural Cures For Migraines

If you suffer from migraine headaches and are hesitant about taking prescription medicines, there is some good news. There are natural ways to relieve your migraines without the side effects of prescription drugs. There are natural herbs that are effective in reliving migraines and other natural treatments that we will discuss in this article. But first let's take a look at the natural herbs and supplements.

The herb feverfew has been used in Europe for centuries. It is used to treat migraines, arthritis and fever. If you are currently taking medicine for blood thinning such as coumadin or aspirin you should not take feverfew because it will increase your bleeding time. It is especially important not to take feverfew a few weeks prior to and after surgery. It has also not been studied on pregnant women or nursing mothers, so it's best not to take it during these times.

Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in your foods and in your body. It is thought that a low magnesium level can contribute to the chemical imbalance in your brain that causes a headache. Some studies have shown that taking a magnesium supplement daily reduced the frequency and duration of migraines.

The herb butterbur has been used to relieve migraines, stomach cramps, cough, allergies and asthma. An extract from the plant is used because the raw herb in a natural state can be toxic to the liver and kidneys.

Another supplement that may help prevent migraines is high doses of riboflavin or Vitamin B-2. There has been a theory that this vitamin may help correct tiny deficiencies found in brain cells.

Acupuncture may be worth a try for a migraine cure. This method uses tiny, thin needles that are inserted just into the skin at certain points on your body to help relieve migraine pain. The insertion of the needles stimulate the release of endorphins into your body. Endorphins are known as the body's natural pain killer and they also produce a sense of well-being. More and more Americans are turning to acupuncture as an alternative form of treatment.

Another method is called biofeedback. In this method electrodes are placed on your skin and you are hooked up to a machine that monitors your heart rate, skin temperature, brain waves and muscle tension. Your are then taken through a series of relaxation techniques until you learn to control these physical responses.

Massage is a great way to reduce stress. However, it's effect on migraines have not been studied. But if you think that your migraines are caused from stress and muscle tension in your back and neck, a weekly massage may be very beneficial to you.

As you can see, there are several alternative treatments for migraine pain. The most important thing that you need to do is to make your doctor aware of any treatment or supplement you may be taking. Although vitamins and herbal supplements are over the counter medicines, they can still have a dangerous interaction with some prescription medicines. Do your research, try different methods and before you know it you may have a natural cure for your migraine pain.

For more help on the prevention, treatment and remedies for migraines please see the Complete Guide To Migraine Headaches.

This free article is provided by the FreeArticles.com Free Articles Directory for educational purposes ONLY! It cannot be reprinted or redistributed under any circumstances.

Article Copyright By Author. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.