How you should drink tea if you have Headaches, Migraines, High Blood Pressure and Stress ..

Many people have heard and seen the many advertisements about tea and its various cures and benefits. Along with weight loss, cancer fighting, and other cellular benefits curing Headaches and Migraines while reducing stress is among the top advertised. But when I see these ads, I think Why ?

After drinking tea for a while, including Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Rooibos, Lemongrass, and a wide listing of organic herbal blends, I have found that I don抰 really know if I am fighting cancer inside my body. But I do know that tea can greatly help me to balance out a stressful time, and help get rid of and prevent headaches.

Simply drinking tea, especially some of the herbal blends specifically mixed for the occasion, can help with headaches, and you will receive all other benefits from the actual tea itself. But only drinking the tea in itself will not allow you to fully maximize all the potential, especially in regards to headaches and migraines. Because not always, but sometimes, drinking tea is about Drinking Tea.

I drink tea all day long. Cup after cup (Thank you, Tea Stand) I drink with no sense of traditional practice, or religious afterthought. I just drink it. But when I have a headache (from stress, sinus headache, caffeine, or many other reasons), just drinking tea isn抰 always best. That is when my tradition comes out.

I don抰 use special pots, or time honored traditions. There is nothing wrong with them, but I rarely have time for that, and growing up in the United States, there are no time honored tea drinking traditions. I always used tea bags (low quality as they were my only option, and didn抰 know any better).So now, even though I am closer to tradition, I still do not have time for this. My Headache/Stress tea drinking practice takes less than five minutes. Usually, that is all the time I have (which is mostly why I have the headache in the first place).

I begin with the double chamber gourmet tea bag. High quality loose tea, easy to use tea bag, reusable; three of the reasons why. I rough it up a little to make the tea inside spread out, and then I put the bag into my mug. With the tea bag ready I pour steaming hot water over it. A little bit too hot to drink. When the cup is full, I bob the tea bag in and out of the water for a minute or so, and let it site for a minute (maybe, depending on how strong I want the tea, how many times have I used the tea bag already, etc.) When letting the tea bag sit, I wrap the string around the mug handle and anchoring it with the bead at the end. After the tea is ready, I take the tea bag out of the cup, and hang it on my tea stand. With green teas and Oolong teas, this is especially important. If you leave the tea bag in the cup too long it can get very bitter.

Now that my tea is ready ( a process which took maybe two minutes) I am ready to relieve myself from this nagging headache. With the cup still steaming, I cup my hands around the mug and slowly breath in the steam. Slow, deep breathes. I do this three to five times, or until the tea has cooled down a little so that I can begin drinking it. It is still hot, but I won抰 burn my tongue or lips if I drink it. Then I take small slurping sips. The hot water is important not only for the steam but also for these first few sips. The hot water slows down your drinking, and also helps to clear out your head. After a couple minutes of this I am generally feeling better.

Maybe this 5 minute practice is loosely based on tradition, and doesn抰 sound too complicated, but it helps me. I am sure that all in this hectic world can appreciate 5 minutes where life is slowed down and especially a tradition that is fast, easy, and that really helps to get alleviate life抯 little inconveniences; headaches, migraines, and stress.

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Insomnia Treatment - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a term used to describe combination therapy for insomnia. It includes a cognitive component such as relaxation therapy, and a behavioral component such as sleep hygiene education. These methods can be used to help stop bad sleep habits and start good ones. CBT strategies include sleep hygiene education, stimulus control therapy, relaxation therapy, and sleep restriction therapy. Sleep HygieneSleep hygiene includes environmental and lifestyle factors that affect sleep.

Tips for good sleep hygiene include:- Making sure your bedroom is cool, quiet, dark, and comfortable - Avoiding foods that give you indigestion - Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine for a few hours before sleep - Avoiding alcohol close to bedtime - Exercising in the afternoon, but not too close to bedtime - Keeping a consistent bedtime and wake time - Finding and follow a relaxing nighttime routine (warm bath, cozy pajamas, soothing music)To see what habits or environmental factors might be keeping you from getting a good night's sleep, try tracking your sleep habits in a sleep diary for a few weeks.

You can assess the results yourself or use it to talk to your doctor.Stimulus Control TherapyStimulus control therapy is a way to teach yourself to associate your bed with sleep, and get onto a regular sleep-wake cycle. The rules of stimulus control therapy include:- Go to bed only when sleepy - Get out of bed if you can't sleep for 20 minutes, leave the bedroom until you are sure you can go to sleep - Don't use the bed for anything except sleep and sex (no TV, reading, eating, thinking about problems) - Get up at the same time each day, no matter how much sleep you got during the night - Avoid naps Relaxation TherapyRelaxation training is a common form of therapy that helps you to relax at bedtime and when you wake up during the night. Rather than lying awake worrying or thinking about your problems, you focus on relaxing and therefore, have less trouble falling asleep.

There are several relaxation techniques your doctor may suggest or that you can find on your own, including progressive muscle relaxation, imagery training, meditation, and thought stopping Sleep Restriction TherapySleep restriction therapy helps make sleep more efficient by restricting the amount of time you spend trying to sleep. Sleep and wake times are adjusted so that you're able to sleep better during the reduced amount of time you spend in bed. This therapy is intended to produce a more consolidated and efficient sleep by causing mild sleep deprivation, and by reducing anxiety about sleep. This technique can be considered after others have failed and it should not be used if there is a chance that an underlying medical or psychological condition is causing your insomnia. Therefore, you should only try this after consulting with a doctor.

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What Causes Migraine Headaches?

A migraine is a severe headache that is recurring. You may experience migraines monthly or once or twice a year. Migraines can be accompanied by extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds, nausea and vomiting. A severe migraine will be disabling to most people. Migraines have long been a sort of medical mystery. Researchers are not sure of the exact cause of migraines, but over the years have constructed a few theories. This article is going to look at the possible causes of migraine headaches.A lot of researchers think that migraines are caused by an imbalance in the complex systems of nerves in the brain and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain responsible for pain perception and emotions. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that researchers have studied. It has been proven that when you have a headache, your levels of serotonin drops.



This in turn will cause the trigeminal nerve in your brain to release neuro peptides. These chemicals will cause the blood vessels on the outside covering of your brain to swell and the resulting pressure will produce a headache. This is the assumed mechanism of how a headache develops, but what causes this to happen. Your headaches may be the result of certain triggers. The triggers that can produce a migraine are:- Certain foods can trigger a migraine in a lot of people. Common food triggers are alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, aged cheeses, monosodium glutamate and other canned or processed foods. - Sometimes skipping a meal can bring on a migraine also.- Intense physical activity, including sex, can trigger a migraine.
Too much sleep or too little sleep can also be a trigger.- Stress is a big factor in triggering migraines. If you have worked hard all week and are starting to relax on the weekend, it may be ruined by a weekend migraine headache. - Any type of change in your environment such as, the weather, temperature, barometric pressure and even a change in the time zone, can trigger a migraine.- Some people are overly sensitive to all types of sensory stimulus such as, bright lights and certain smells.
Certain perfumes or flowers have been known to trigger migraine pain. - Women who are going through hormonal changes will be more at risk for developing a migraine. Researchers aren't sure why the fluctuations of hormones will trigger a migraine, but the incidences of migraines seem to increase right before or during a woman's period.- Certain medications have been know to trigger migraine headaches.If you are having frequent migraine headaches, try to pinpoint the trigger for them. Try keeping a journal of everything that you eat or do that's out of the ordinary each day. When you have a migraine read back through your journal and try to identify a possible trigger. If you haven't started treatment for migraines, see your doctor. He can prescribe medicine that will decrease the migraines or make them less intense. Don't suffer in pain anymore, find the cause of your migraine headaches.

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Tips on 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.

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Free Tips on How To Get Rid Of A Migraine

If you are a migraine headache sufferer you know how important it is to get pain relief fast. A migraine can be so severe that it can put a stop to your whole day. Many people who have migraines may have two or more each month. This article will examine a few ways to get rid of a migraine headache.If you experience auras with your migraines then you have a warning system in place. It you start to notice bright flashes of light, dark spots in your field of vision or zigzag lines in your vision field, then you are about to develop a migraine.



Take an over the counter NSAIDS right away. These drugs such as, Advil and Motrin can help with mild pain from migraines. It is probably a good idea to lie down in a dark, quiet, room also. A cool cloth applied to the forehead may be of some comfort. If your migraines are severe, you need to see your doctor. He will prescribe prescription strength migraine medicine for you such as,Imitrex. This was the first drug that was developed specifically to treat migraines. Imitrex acts like serotonin and binds itself to the serotonin receptors in the brain. This cause the blood vessels to constrict, therefore relieving the pressure on the brain and the migraine pain.Since Imitrex was developed a few other drugs have been created also.
They work in similar ways to Imitrex but have fewer side effects and will cause fewer rebound headaches. Since nausea is a common complication that occurs with a migraine, your doctor may prescribe an anti-emetic medication such as Reglan, Compazine or Phenergan. These medicines do not decrease the pain from a migraine, but they can stop the nausea and vomiting associated with it. Some of these drugs do have the ability to make you relaxed and very sleepy. Being more relaxed can help your pain medicine work better and possibly shorten the duration of your migraine.The best thing you can do for your migraines is to find out what causes them. Keep a diary and try to pinpoint certain triggers that may set off a migraine headache. Some people are overly sensitive to certain perfumes or flowers.
Others may develop a migraine after eating certain foods. Your other option is to talk to your doctor about preventive medicines for migraine headaches. Studies have found that certain cardiovascular drugs and certain antidepressant medications have been highly effective in the prevention of migraines. New studies are being done all the time. Who knows, maybe eventually they will find a cure for your migraine headaches. But for now all you can do is try to prevent them or if you feel one coming on, try to treat it as quickly as possible.

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To Know Migraine Headache

A migraine is different from a regular headache. A migraine is usually very severe, with pain on only one side of the head. It is often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and nausea and vomiting. Migraines are a recurring condition. Some people may have one several times a month, while some may only have one or two a year. But when a migraine happens, it can be disabling. It is estimated that 1 in 100 people suffer from migraines. Research on migraines in the past focused on changes in the blood vessels in the brain. However, new research is being done that points to changes in the brain itself. Scientists believe that the cause of a migraine involves a complex mix of chemical changes in the brain with various nerve pathways. They are still not sure what the exact chain of events are that cause a migraine, but believe that it can be triggered by such things as stress, environmental factors, or certain foods.



There are two types of migraines. There are those with auras or those without auras. Most people will have migraines without the auras. This is called the common migraine. If you have migraines with auras you will see flashes of light, blind spots in your vision, zigzag lines in your vision and sometimes have tingling sensations in your arms or leg. These auras usually start about 15 to 30 minutes before the migraine start and serve as a good warning sign. On occasion, the aura can last throughout the duration of the migraine. If you have migraine headaches, you probably know what helps the pain.
Everyone is different when it comes to pain relief. Some people just want to lie down in a dark, quiet, room and sleep it off. Others will take medication developed especially for migraine headaches. It is important to note, that if you suffer from migraines and haven't been to the doctor for treatment of them lately, it may be a good idea to see your doctor. There are a lot of new medications available for migraines now that weren't available ten years ago.Children can have migraines, too.
Their migraines may have started in adolescence or early adulthood. There have been incidences of migraines in children as young as 1. The good news is, migraines in children don't last as long and they typically grow out of them. With children the migraine will usually cause pain on both sides of the head. Children can also have nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, but have no headache pain. This type of migraine is especially difficult to diagnose and can be very frightening for the parents.If you have migraines talk to your doctor about treatment. Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Try to get adequate rest and reduce the stress in your life, if possible. Don't let the thought of having another migraine headache interrupt your life.

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Diagnosing Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Many of the people who arrive at the door of a neuromuscular dentist's office have previously been to medical doctors in search of pain relief. Headaches are the most prominent symptom and they can be very severe. They are often thought to be migraines, so the sufferer goes on a wild goose chase among doctors. Most doctors will not think of the headaches as having a dental cause. They will prescribe painkillers and these will of course help, but only temporarily, as they do not address the cause of the headaches.





Symptoms
The symptoms of TMD are puzzling in their variety. Each person has a unique combination of them, in differing degrees of severity. Besides headaches, the most common symptoms are:• Jaw pain• Neck and shoulder pain• Earache• Ringing in the ears• Unexplained tooth wear• Popping or clicking sounds in the jaw joint• Inability to open the mouth fully• Tingling in the arms or fingers• Tooth grinding
Most of these symptoms could indicate other health problems besides TMD, and it is indeed possible to have several health problems besides TMD. If you recognize some or all of these symptoms, you may or may not have TMD, but it would be worth having a neuromuscular dentist rule it out.
The jaw joint
The jaw joint is a delicate ball-and-socket joint, where the mandible fits into a rounded space in the skull. Between the two bone surfaces is a cartilage pad for cushioning. When there is damage in the jaw joint, the jaw muscles, opening and closing the mouth hundreds of times a day, become strained in trying to make the teeth meet comfortably and correctly. It can't be done (for reasons which need diagnosing by the neuromuscular dentist), so they become chronically stressed, inflamed, swollen, and thus the pain begins.
There are several large nerves running through the face, neck and head areas and down to the hands. They have many branches. When part of a nerve becomes compressed by swelling and inflammation, pain is the result.
In these days of computerized neuromuscular dentistry, there is no need to live with painful TMD symptoms. Make an appointment with a trained and qualified neuromuscular dentist near you, and see if you can start on a much-needed TMD treatment to end your pain.

Author: Patricia Woloch

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Common Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder

Sadly, the presence of hopelessness and other manic depressive behaviors is very strong in our society. You have probably seen it on TV and have probably seen posters advertising depression medications at your doctor's office or pharmacy. Some people simply suffer from mild bouts of depression, but for others, their behavior often means they are bipolar. Too many people suffer from this disorder, which can be crippling to them. This article is going to explain what it is and the right plan of action to take if you have it.

Usually, the symptoms of being bipolar show up in the early to late twenties, although when a person is diagnosed they can often look back and see behaviors in their childhood that could be explained by the illness. Basically, having this disorder means you experience an abnormally elevated mood, called mania, followed by a state of depression, although these states are usually separated by periods of normal mood. People who are in their twenties may struggle with different eating disorders or other self mutilating behaviors as well. Since this disorder takes a huge toll on a person's behavioral patterns, they can be very unpredictable. In a worse case scenario, a person may suffer from an episode of depression for so long that they contemplate suicide.If you have been having symptoms of bipolar disorder, then you will certainly have noticed. At times you will feel as though you are on an extreme high.

You may feel like you can do no wrong, life is glorious and you are on the right track; however, it comes with feelings of agitation and hyper activity. At the other end of the spectrum, the same person will suffer from a debilitating, depressive episode. These feelings usually cause the patient to feel sad and they will often lack hope in their lives. If you are one of these people, then you will want to visit your doctor so you can get diagnosed.When looking up information on the disorder you may notice that a sufferer may also be called a manic depressive. No matter what you call the disorder, if you are diagnosed, then you will want to seek medication. No doubt you will have to take these medications for the rest of your life but the payoff will be great! Most likely your doctor will prescribe antidepressants and other drugs that will help to stabilize your mood swings. If you are bipolar, then it is important to know that it can be controlled as long as you are determined and strong!

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How To Cope With Anxiety Panic Disorders

Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety disorders at some point in their lives. Anxiety is, to some extent, a normal reaction to stressful situations, such as having to speak in public. However, for many people, their reactions to these situations go beyond normal day-to-day nervousness. Anxiety panic disorders may affect more than six million Americans at some point in their lives. These disorders are very real illnesses that can be crippling for some people.

The main characteristic of an anxiety panic disorder is the panic attack. These attacks can happen in response to specific stress factors, or they can occur spontaneously. The sufferer may experience shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating and nausea, and may feel as if they are about to lose their mind. Often, the person suffering an anxiety/panic attack will end up in the emergency room because they think they are having a heart attack.
The medical tests the person undergoes can often make their anxiety worse, as they fear that something is seriously wrong with them. If a person suffers panic attacks frequently, then they may develop some sort of phobia, particularly if the attacks occur in a specific location, such as elevators.
Fear of having panic attacks will often lead the sufferer to avoid specific situations or locations. Some people will develop agoraphobia and can become housebound, as they fear leaving their homes.
There are several options doctors may choose from when treating anxiety panic disorders. They can often be controlled through the use of medication. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, have been found to be helpful for anxiety symptoms and there are also specific anti-anxiety medications that may be used in stressful situations.
Psychotherapy, especially cognitive and behavioral therapy, is also highly beneficial. Your doctor may also advise you to quit smoking or drinking coffee, since caffeine and nicotine have been found to increase anxiety symptoms.

Many doctors also recommend stress-reducing techniques, such as meditation, tai chi, and yoga. Cardiovascular exercise, such as brisk walking can also help to reduce stress. Alternative practitioners may recommend the use of herbal remedies; St. John's Wort and valerian root are among the natural remedies that may be helpful.
Anxiety panic disorders are serious illnesses which can be disabling. Many sufferers are virtually crippled as they try to organize their lives in such a way as to avoid anxiety/panic attacks. However, these disorders are treatable. With the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, stress management techniques and psychotherapy, many people with anxiety can live productive and fulfilling lives.

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Dietary Causes of Headaches

One of the most common things that people who suffer from headaches miss is the fact that certain foods or drinks may be contributing to their headaches. Some common items that may trigger headaches in people are chocolate, red wine and coffee. However, these are only a few of the many foods that may cause headaches. For many people it is difficult to determine if there is a dietary trigger that contributes to their headaches.
Most people do not realize that it is dietary triggers that are causing their headaches. The main reason for this is the fact that there is a delay which can be delayed for a few hours or even a few days. Often times your body will be influenced by the dietary trigger immediately because it takes the body a while to process the food.
Another reason why many people miss dietary triggers is that often times a trigger will not always bring on a headache. Sometimes you will notice that a headache is caused by a certain food and other times you will not get a headache at all. Most people think that a dietary trigger should cause a headache every time they consume that product, so when it doesn't bring on a headache every time they dismiss it as a possibility. However, this is not true. Dietary triggers will not necessarily always bring on a headache.
Often times these dietary triggers will only cause a headache if there are other factors present in your life. For example you may not have slept well the night before or you might be under a lot of stress. These are the times when eating something like chocolate will be most likely to bring on a headache. All of your triggers may be activated all at once which is what will end up eventually causing the headache.
There are other days when you may consume a dietary trigger such as chocolate but you do not get a headache. This is probably because you actually got a good night's sleep and are not feeling as stressed as on previous days. Many people will then dismiss the possibility of the chocolate being one of the causes of previous headaches. However, many people will only get headaches if there are a few triggers present. If you only have one trigger present such as your dietary trigger you actually have a lot of cushion room before you actually get a headache. This is why many people can still enjoy foods that may trigger headaches as long as they are consuming them when other triggers are not present.
There are many dietary triggers that will often times cause headaches in people. There are a variety of reasons that people do not recognize these triggers. One reason is because the headache will not appear until well after the food has been consumed. In addition many people dismiss the idea because they do not get a headache every time the dietary trigger is consumed. The dietary trigger generally only causes a headache if there are other triggers present such as an increased stress level or a lack of sleep.
To find out more helpful tips and information with Headaches and Migraines, be sure to visit the Help with Headaches website.
Dr Carlo Rinaudo, Chiropractor, is a specialist in providing his patients and the general public with the very best and up-to-date information on all health related matters. Be sure to visit his central website Good Health Doctor, for a comprehensive collection on health related topics. There you will find information about diagnosis, treatment, causes and helpful articles and products.
Yours In Good Health

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