Chronic Headaches – the causes
There are various reasons f
or chronic headaches and it might surprise you to know that something as simple as an orange pictured here could cause chronic headaches for some people. I used to work with a guy that would suffer from headaches if he almost so much as sniffed anything citrus.
It has been stated that even babies and toddlers can experience chronic headaches but they are unable to express it in words. Some people may not suffer from chronic headaches with enough regularity to consider it a problem and hence, don’t take steps to improve their health. Instead, they tolerate their headaches when they occur.
Chronic headaches can be the result of amines or salicylates; naturally occurring chemicals in food, dehydration, or a reaction to food colors including MSG – Mono-sodium Glutamate. Cleaning products, including air fresheners or perfume, due to the chemical substances contained therein can also cause chronic headaches. Often, those suffering from food intolerance symptoms, leaky gut syndrome or food problems will find they are more prone to reactions.
It could also be a case that there is something more sinister going on such as a tumor or head problems. While I do believe you need a doctor to diagnose this, I also am of the strong belief that you can heal the problem through the correct foods and mind healing.
There is also another reason why reactions could be exacerbated when it comes to food intolerance symptoms or health issues in general. Research into genomes indicate that what previous generations were exposed to can be passed down in the genes. For example, if you had a grandparent who worked in a chemical factory or was a smoker, then this may have caused a variation in the genes that are then passed down the generations, thereby increasing the severity of a reaction. This is fairly new research and you can read more about it by clicking on this link. I think it is fascinating.
Chronic Headaches – some solutions
You should not need to suffer from or tolerate chronic headaches even if they occur rarely. Illness is a mechanism of the body to tell you that something is not right within.
The good news for those who suffer chronic headaches due to dehydration is that you only need to drink about one litre or approx 34 Oz of water and wait half an hour. The brain is hydrated through the stomach and will be fed first, directly, to overcome the problem. There are some symptoms for chronic headaches linked to dehydration. You may start to feel sluggish, suffer from poor short term memory, you may get foggy brain or even feel dizzy. Regardless of whether your chronic headaches are linked to dehydration or not, water is an absolute must in your diet. You will be amazed at how much better you will start to feel if you incorporate more water into your diet.
According to the FDR books pictured, and my bible on food, salt helps to regulate the water content in the 
body along with the water you drink. Good salt like this Celtic Sea Salt helps to balance water in and out of the body’s cells. Optimally, you should drink 1 liter of water for every 22 kilograms of body weight.
To assist with symptoms of chronic headaches, you can use some pure peppermint essential oils such as Essential Oil Peppermint Pure 30ml but you need to be careful to keep it away from your eyes. Put one to two drops on your hands, go outside in the fresh air, cup your hands over your mouth and nose and take a couple of deep breaths. Put one drop behind each ear.
For those of you that think your chronic headaches could be a result of food intolerance symptoms then you need to conduct a food elimination diet to work out if naturally occurring chemicals are a problem. Remove any food colors, food additives, including preservatives from your diet and look at environmental sensitivities. You can read the review of Friendly Food cookbook and purchase your own copy of Friendly Food for your food elimination diet. You should also consider purchasing The Failsafe Cookbook for your food elimination diet. Both books will assist you in the management of food intolerance symptoms and understanding of naturally occurring chemicals in foods; such as amines, salicylates and MSG.
For temporary relief, you can always have a good quality cup of coffee from freshly ground organic, fair trade beans. Caffeine tends to restrict the blood vessels and reduce the severity of chronic headaches. This should be viewed as a short term fix while you address 
your headaches on a deeper level.
Use cold pressed, virgin olive oil on the soles of the feet and the scalp and massage in. A shoulder / upper back massage can also help. Then take a nice warm shower.
One last recommendation is to start some healing meditation. Through my own experience I can say that drinking heaps of water and taking time out for some healing meditation will do you wonders. You will be healing your body with the water, lying down will put you in healing position, with your eyes closed and having the healing meditation will clear your mind.
The important thing is to recognize that your body is telling you through chronic headaches, that something needs fixing. Listen to your body, follow through with a solution and you will no longer need to suffer from chronic headaches.
Your News On Food brought to you by Eileen Baudinette Food and Health Commentator. © 2009 – 2012 thenewsonfood.com ———————–Disclaimer:
I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience with the aim of furthering your education on health. It is your responsibility as to how you use this information and I cannot be held liable for any misinterpretation or misuse of the information provided.
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Nice rundown of possible dietary impacts of headaches. Headaches can be a tough one as they can be caused by anything and everything. In addition to food allergies and dehydration, headaches could be a symptom of an underlying muscular skeletal problem. This requires physical work by a manual therapist such as an osteopath.
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Hi David,
Yes, that is true that some manual therapy could also be in order. Thanks for your input. 🙂
Regards, Eileen.
Headaches are no fun and chronic headaches or migraines are downright debilitating. You’ve provided some good tips for ways to lessen the pain here – I think this topic would make a great ezine article.
Next time I get one, I’ll be sure to load up on water – thankfully it has been quite a while.
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Howdy Tom!
Thanks for stopping by. The trick is to continually drink enough water so that we don’t get to a point of dehydration, taking into account any sport that is played or activities.
Regards, Eileen.
Over all other reasons for coming back to this blog Eileen, there is one reason that stands out – your tips and recommendations WORK!
Every since I read your article on Salicylates, the frequency of my mouth ulcers have halved!
Thanks Eileen
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Hi Cemil,
Glad I can assist. That is my aim…is to help people. Keep up the “good’ salt too as that will really help (and water). Thanks for letting me know Cemil.
Regards, Eileen.
Cemil…just a follow up. You should also use activated charcoal.
Nature’s Way – Activated Charcoal 260 mg 100 caps
Hi Eileen,
Living in the tropics most people forget to drink enough water (because it’s so humid outside I guess) and get headaches.
Thanks for your reminders and tips – I will have to try the cold pressed olive oil on the feet, never heard about that.
Another quality post – well done!
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Hi Renee,
I think it is easy for most of us to forget water. It is just a habit we need to form. I carry my water bottle everywhere and once the habit is formed, you find yourself wanting more water anyway. Thanks for stopping by Renee!
Regards, Eileen.
Eileen, great post as always! I suffered from nasty headaches for a long time until finally seeking help from a chiropractor. It’s amazing the things the human body can do; my bones had shifted enough that they were pulling my muscles constantly, causing almost daily tension migraines.
But even though that was the main cause, she also made sure I altered my diet as well with many of the tips you mentioned above. Some of them, I have never heard of before and am excited to introduce into my routine.
So many people don’t know how much their diets affect their bodies; it’s crazy!
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Hi Jeff,
Glad to see that your chiropractor took a more holistic approach to get you well. Would be great to raise awareness through the general public and also those who treat people with ailments.
Thanks for sharing.
Eileen.
thanks for this enriching post. yes, many people experience chronic headache and they just let it pass. it’s good to be informed. we’re the best care takers of our body. =)
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Hi there and thanks for your comment.
Very true that we are the best ones to look after ourselves. The more we educate people, the greater chance of that happening. I hope we can all offer up opportunities that will assist people to maintain their well being.
Regards, Eileen.
True about the more water you drink, the more you realize you want and need. Most of us over time suppress out thirst, and it arises as an impulse to eat, not drink. That mistaken impulse seems to increase the cycle of dehydration.
I drink over a gallon a day distilled, and no longer have migraines, though don’t anyone out there look for a one tip spares all deal. ‘Totemize’ those tips; stack your advantages and tips to really optimize all of them. Make a list if you must, but be consistent and disciplined. The rewards and relief is priceless.
This little post is gold, folks.
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for your input. Another important point too is that if people have the afternoon drowsies then they should increase their water as this can boost energy.
Regards, Eileen.
“Instead, they tolerate their chronic headaches when they occur.”
I can actually relate to this. I think it’s MSG for me though and not citrus fruits.
Hi Jim,
I hope you manage to ditch those headaches for good. Reading food labels and eating raw food instead of processed or cooked food will assist you also.
Take care, Eileen.
Thanks Eileen I am actually trying to ditch them already. Unfortunately, when I eat out, I don’t really know what they put in it. Thanks for the advice!
Hi Jim,
When I am out I actually go and ask what is put in the food I am eating or I choose a healthy salad without the dressing! 🙂 Eating out is always difficult and I choose where I eat wisely.
Thanks for your comment.
Regards, Eileen.