Therapeutic Uses for Essential Oils

I have talked about the therapeutic benefits of essential oils before, but you can never have too many ways of using them. Here are some more ways that they may help you.

Therapeutic

Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball or cloth near your pillow to help you sleep soundly.

Put a drop of clary sage oil in 5 drops of coconut oil and apply a drop of the blend to your hands or wrist to help balance hormones, alleviate PMS or menopausal symptoms.

Put a drop of lavender oil diluted in 5 drops of coconut oil or other carrier oil on burns to speed healing and ease the pain.

Put a drop of melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil on cuts or wounds as an antiseptic. Dilute a drop in 5 drops of carrier oil if you have sensitive skin.

Put a drop of lavender essential oil on mosquito or other types of bug bites to ease the stinging/itchiness.

Place 10 drops each of lavender, cedarwood and citronella in a bottle with one ounce of carrier oil (like coconut oil). Rub or spray a small amount on your skin before heading outdoors to help keep the bugs at bay.

Diffuse wild orange and grapefruit essential oils to boost the mood in your home.

Diffuse eucalyptus essential oil to reduce coughing, chest or sinus congestion, and improve breathing.

Put a drop of peppermint essential oil on a diffuser bead necklace to energize you throughout the day.

Put a drop of rosemary essential oil on a diffuser bead necklace or cloth to boost your memory. Breathe in the natural scent throughout the day.

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Ways to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning

Essential Oils are great and they have many uses.  A good thing about them is that they are more natural than some of the everyday cleaning products you may be used to buying from the shops.  This is great if you find you suffer from allergies or want to stop using so many chemicals in your home. There is a great tip here for your carpets that I wish I had known of before I put the most horrendous smelling stuff on my rug at home.  It took days to get rid of the nasty chemical smell and you certainly don't want to use something that you will regret. Natural smells are so much more calming and therapeutic and it seems silly now that I didn't even think to try something more natural.  Here are some great cleaning tips that use essential oils that you can try out at home.  

Cleaning

Add a few drops of antibacterial oils like thyme and cinnamon to your dust cloth before dusting surfaces.

Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to equal parts of white vinegar and water to clean and disinfect windows and mirrors.

Add a drop of grapefruit essential oil to the toilet after flushing to freshen the toilet and bathroom.

Clean hardwood floors with 1 gallon of hot water, ½ cup white vinegar and 3 drops of orange essential oil. This blend also works well with any type of hard flooring.

Create a fruit and vegetable wash with 1 cup of each apple cider vinegar and water, as well as 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Spray on fruits and vegetables and let sit for a minute before rinsing.

In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of water with 30 drops of melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil and 30 drops of thyme essential oil. Spray on mold or mildew and allow to dry. Repeat as necessary.

Add 5 drops of lavender essential oil to a cup of baking soda, sprinkle on carpets, before vacuuming it to deodorize carpets.

Add 5 drops of lavender, wild orange or grapefruit essential oil to a face cloth and throw it in the dryer with your clothes to give them a fresh, natural, clean scent without the toxic fabric softeners. Use an old face cloth since it may be left with oil stains.

Add lemon, tea tree and thyme essential oils (about 5 drops each) to 2 cups of hot water and ½ cup white vinegar to use as a general-purpose cleaner.

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Dealing with Pain

If you have ever felt pain you will know how it can take over your life.  Sometimes it can be in the form of a short illness or for some people it can be a part of their daily life.  Whatever it is, it is always good to have some coping mechanisms to help you deal with your pain in the best way possible.

Get some gentle exercise

Simple, everyday activities like walking, swimming, gardening and dancing can ease some of the pain directly by blocking pain signals to the brain.

Activity also helps lessen pain by stretching stiff and tense muscles, ligaments and joints.

It's natural to be hesitant if exercise is painful and you're worried about doing more damage. But if you become more active gradually, it's unlikely you will cause any damage or harm. The pain you feel when you start gentle exercise is because the muscles and joints are getting fitter.

Breathe right to ease pain

Concentrating on your breathing when you're in pain can help.
When the pain is intense it's very easy to start taking shallow, rapid breaths which can make you feel dizzy, anxious or panicked. Instead, breathe slowly and deeply. This will help you to feel more in control of the situation and will keep you relaxed and prevent any muscle tension or anxiety from worsening your pain.

Counselling can help with pain

Pain can make you tired, anxious, depressed and grumpy. This can make the pain even worse, making you fall into a downward spiral. Be kinder to yourself. Living with pain isn't easy and you can be your own worst enemy by being stubborn, not pacing your activities every day and not accepting your limitations.

Some people find it useful to seek help from a counsellor, psychologist or hypnotherapist to discover how to deal with their emotions in relation to their pain. Ask your GP for advice and a referral.

Distract yourself

Shift your attention on to something else so the pain isn't the only thing on your mind. Get stuck into an activity that you enjoy or find stimulating. Many hobbies, like photography, sewing or knitting, are possible even when your mobility is restricted.

Share your story about pain

It can help to talk to someone else who has experienced similar pain themselves and understands what you're going through.

The sleep cure for pain

"Many people with chronic pain dread going to bed as that's when the pain is worst," says Heather Wallace from Pain Concern. But it's important to try to stick to a normal sleep routine so you've got the best chance of sleeping through the night.
Also, "sleep deprivation can worsen pain", says Heather. Go to bed at the same time each evening, and get up at a regular time in the morning and avoid taking naps in the day. If sleep problems persist, see your GP.

Take a course

Self management courses are free NHS-based training programmes for people who live with long-term chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes to develop new skills to manage their condition (and any related pain) better on a day-to-day basis.
Many people who have been on a self-management course say they take fewer painkillers afterwards.
Keep in touch with friends and family

Keeping in touch with friends and family is good for your health and can help you feel much better. Try shorter visits, maybe more often, and if you can't get out to visit people, phone a friend, invite a family member round for a tea or have a chat with your neighbour.

Aim to talk about anything other than your pain, even if other people want to talk about it.

Relax to beat pain

Practising relaxation techniques regularly can help to reduce persistent pain.

There are many types of relaxation techniques, varying from breathing exercises to types of meditation.

Ask your GP for advice in the first instance. There may be classes available locally or at your local hospital's pain clinic.

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Using Acupressure for Headaches

So now you know about different types of headaches have you ever thought about alternative ways of treating them?  Acupressure is a very interesting technique, but the beauty of it is you don't need to take any nasty medications.  It is easy if you have got into a headache cycle to keep taking more and more pills to combat it, which in the long term could be bad for your health anyway.  Safe and natural alternatives are always an option you can try.  Touch also is a very powerful thing and can be very soothing and relaxing as well. 

Headaches can seriously interfere with a person’s quality of life, particularly when they occur on a regular basis. Regardless of the type of headache you may be experiencing, there are some excellent acupressure points that can help you to relieve the pain and get back to things you enjoy in life. 

GB20—Known as “Gall Bladder 20” or “Wind Pool” because it’s a point on the gall bladder meridian in Chinese medicine. It’s situated in the depression at the back of the head, below the skull where the skull meets the neck, about a half-inch out from the middle of the neck. It’s actually two points: one that is left of center and one that is right of center as you can see from the photo. It’s particularly good for headaches linked to neck stiffness, old whiplash or other neck injuries, or from headaches linked to cold or flu. Firmly hold both points for at least one minute, but preferably longer or repeated until the headache starts to dissipate. GB20 acupoints are depicted as the top two red dots in the following photo.

GB14—Known as “Gall Bladder 14” or “Yang White,” these two points are also found on the gall bladder meridian in Chinese medicine. GB14 is found about one thumb-width (known as a “cun”—pronounced “chun”) above the hairline if you draw a line directly upward from the middle of both eyebrows. Firmly hold or massage both points for at least a minute, but preferably longer. Repeat until your headache starts to dissipate.

LI4—Known as “Large Intestine 4” or “The Great Eliminator” for its reputation in Chinese medicine as an eliminator of many health conditions, these two points are found on the top of the hand in the fleshy mound that connects the thumb and forefinger. It’s one of the most important points in acupressure for many health concerns and is excellent firmly held for 5 to 10 minutes when you’re experiencing a headache. And I’ve also never met a fever that wasn’t reduced with this powerful point. Avoid using this point if you are pregnant. Of course, you should consult a physician for high fevers.

Du 20—(pronounced like “do”) This point is also known as the “Meeting Point of a Hundred Points” because, in Chinese medicine, it supplies energy to most other acupressure points in the body and is frequently involved in many health problems, including headaches. It’s located on the top of the head about half way between the hairline on the forehead and the neck. Alternatively, imagine a line connecting the ears over the top of the head. Du 20 is the mid-point. It’s a good point to start with as it encourages proper energy flow to the other points. Hold or massage this point for at least one minute, but longer if necessary. This point is depicted as the top red dot in the following illustration.

Du23—(pronounced like “do”) This point is also known as “Upper Star” and is situated just above the middle of the forehead, about one thumb-width above the hairline on the forehead. It is helpful for many types of headaches, including those linked to sinus congestion. Firmly press or massage the point for at least one minute. Repeat as necessary until headache dissipates.

UB3—Known as Urinary Bladder 3, this point is located about one-half of a thumb width above the hairline at the inside edge of the eyebrows on both sides. These two points (one on the left side of the forehead and the other on the right side) are good points to use for any type of headache, including sinus headaches and sinus pressure or congestion.

You’ll know if you’ve found the correct points because they will typically feel tender if you suffer from headaches. In Chinese medicine tender points are known as “Ah Shi” points, or as my acupuncture professor used to call them “Ah Shi# points” since they’re sore when you find them. You can use the acupressure points above to prevent future headaches as well as during an episode. Of course, you should consult a physician if you suffer from frequent headaches, if they are debilitating in nature or change in frequency.

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Reasons to Relax

Today was one of the hottest August bank holiday in the last 50 years, but it was nice to have a potter in the garden(until it got too hot) and take some time to relax.

Stress abounds everywhere in our lives, and it can be very difficult to take command of our lives to a point that we don’t feel constantly pressured, or our minds constantly active. No wonder -we are in an age of information overload. This information overload can lead to stress, and we need less of this, right?

Why is stress such a big deal? Why should you bother to relax? Stress is everywhere after all, so what good is it to relax when so few people make a practice of it?

1. Your body will thank you

Stress causes no shortage of issues for your body. High blood pressure, headaches, muscle tension, ulcers, weakened immune system, increased oxygen use and a more rapid heart rate are just a few of the many side effects of stress on the body.

Relaxation works just the opposite effects on you, and it helps counteract these effects by giving your heart a chance to rest and your body a chance to calm down, calmer breathing optimizes the use of oxygen in your system and a lower heart rate can help with blood pressure. It also helps you have better sleep when you rest and make it less likely that you will wake up in the middle of the night.

2. You will think more quickly and clearer

Constant stress does some pretty unpleasant things to our mind. Science has long linked many unpleasant diseases to frayed nerves. Paranoia, depression, several syndromes and even just a general feeling of not thinking straight can come from too much stress in your life. It bogs down how you think and can cause you to make bad decisions.

By taking time to relax and put your troubles on hold for a little while, you’re allowing your mind to recover. Sometimes after relaxing and thinking on a problem, the solution is easier to come up with than if you just keep trying to fight through it. If your mind is calm, you can react to stimuli faster than if you’re burdened with unnecessary and often unrelated worries.

3. Your emotions will be more leveled out

We’ve all had a night before a big test or a large presentation at work where we can’t quite control our emotional responses to those around us. When you’re stressed or tired, you operate with less conscious control over your emotional response, which can lead to lashing out at people you care about, or upsetting strangers by acting out.

Relaxing allows you to hold better control over your emotions, and to flow through them more smoothly than if you are stressed out. When you’re calm and relaxed, it allows you to examine your emotions without acting on them, and to make sure the emotional response is fitting for the situation.

4. You will be more efficient at work

Staying relaxed at the work place can be very hard. Deadlines, bosses, annoying co-workers and difficult customers can make it very hard to keep a cool head. This in turn can lead you to become one of those annoying co-workers and perpetuate the cycle, making work an even worse place to be.

It’s still best to try to stay relaxed. You’ll be better at reasoning and problem solving than if your mind is alight with stress and you’ll also enjoy more energy and concentration if you’re feeling good. A friendly worker or employee can even sometimes spread the relaxation and good cheer to others, causing the work place to be more pleasant.

5. You’ll help boost those around you

Emotions and attitudes have energy to them, if you’ve ever been in a class room the day students start filing in for a big test; you know exactly what I’m talking about. The air in the room feels just a little heavy, everyone feels tense, it’s hard to place, but if you pay attention, the very atmosphere feels different than it does in an empty room, or around close friends in a comfortable place.

Stress has a bad tendency to spread. If one person in a group is stressed out and worried, sometimes others in that group will start to think about things that are causing them concern as well.

The best way to combat stress in a group is to try your best to relax and be the sort of friend that helps others relax. It’s amazing how far a smile and a word of reassurance can do for other people who are feeling stressed, and if you can help them with their stress, you may find yours abate a little as well.

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Seaside and Jellied Eels

Yesterday we had a lovely day at the seaside.  You may find that a good long walk in the sea air helps you to sleep really well at night.  That aside, one of the things you would expect to see at any self respecting seaside resort here in England is a stand selling seafood with cockles, muscles, winkles and the like along with some good old Jellied Eels.  Now Jellied Eels actually come from an English freshwater eel.  My husband has Cockney roots and so when we go to the seaside he Has to have some.  So if you're ever in a good English seaside resort and are feeling brave give them a go.

Jellied eels are a traditional English dish that originated in the 18th century, primarily in the East End of London. The dish consists of chopped eels boiled in a spiced stock that is allowed to cool and set, forming a jelly. It is eaten cold.
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Hunstanton

Beautiful day by the beach.  We went to Hunstanton, which is a lovely seaside town and were there over 8 hours until the sun started setting.  It was a really hot day and I was careful to put plenty of sunscreen on throughout the day as there were many people with burned skin. Walked so much and even went barefoot on the sand and walked where the tide was out and our feet were in a little bit of water.  When you get away from the hustle and bustle it feels like you have the beach to yourself.  

Enjoy your Day

It's a beautiful sunny day here. Perfect for the beach.  And there is where I am heading out. You may find it therapeutic to walk along the sea front, or to walk on the beach itself. Nothing is nicer.  The sound of the waves, the feeling of the sun on your skin.  A friend of mine had prawns and ice cream when she went to the seaside, which made me laugh and I really did have an image of some prawns in ice cream.  She assures me she had them separately. Whatever you do today enjoy and relax.

Why are there Bank Holidays?

It's all very exciting here in the UK.  Why is that you may well ask?  Well, it is a Bank Holiday weekend.  The big rush from the cities with huge traffic jams as people go here and there to get away.  Sometimes they can be great other times not so, because over here we love to talk about the weather especially on a Bank Holiday weekend.  Nothing is more satisfying than a Bank Holiday weekend that has good weather.  Oh the possibilities, the places you can go to and the things you can do.  Of course, if the weather is bad on a Bank Holiday weekend, then well.  Catastrophe.  It's all so unfair.  The real prize of course is that you get an extra lie in and that one extra day off work to get over the weekend.  Pure bliss. What is there not to enjoy? You may well want to make good use of that extra day off.  Many a DIY store over here will be mega busy as people rush out to get those DIY jobs done.  

WHAT IS A BANK HOLIDAY?

In the United Kingdom and Ireland a bank holiday is a public holiday, when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day.

Bank holidays are often assumed to be so called because they are days upon which banks are shut, but days that banks are shut aren't always bank holidays. For example: Good Friday and Christmas Day are not bank holidays, they are common law' holidays. The dates for bank holidays are set out in statute or are proclaimed by royal decree. The term "bank holiday" was coined by Sir John Lubbock, who felt there was a need to differentiate the two types of holiday.

In England and Wales a bank holiday tends automatically to be a public holiday, so the day is generally observed as a holiday. A number of differences apply to Scotland. For example, Easter Monday is not a bank holiday, and, although they share the same name, the Summer Bank Holiday falls on the first Monday in August in Scotland as opposed to the last elsewhere in the UK.
Origins of bank holidays

Prior to 1834, the Bank of England observed about 33 saints' days and religious festivals as holidays, but in 1834, this was reduced to just four: 1 May, 1 November, Good Friday, and Christmas Day.

In 1871, Sir John Lubbock introduced the Bank Holidays Act, it introduced the concept of holidays with pay and designated four holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five in Scotland. These were Easter Monday, the first Monday in August, the 26th December, and Whit Monday (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and New Year's Day, Good Friday, the first Monday in May, the first Monday in August, and Christmas Day (Scotland). In England, Wales and Ireland, Good Friday and Christmas Day were considered traditional days of rest (as were Sundays) and therefore it was felt unnecessary to include them in the Act. The move was such a popular one and there were even suggestions that August Bank Holiday should be called St Lubbock's day!

In Ireland, in 1903, the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act added 17 March, Saint Patrick's Day, as a bank holiday, and in 1926 the Governor of Northern Ireland proclaimed 12 July (Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690) as a bank holiday too. This particular holiday is proclaimed annually by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

In 2006, the Scottish Parliament designated St Andrew's Day, November 30, as an official bank holiday in Scotland. But there is no public holiday for St David's Day in Wales, or St George's Day in England.

From 1965 the date of the August bank holiday was changed to the end of the month in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Whitsun bank holiday (Whit Monday) was replaced by the late spring bank holiday - fixed as the last Monday in May.
Bank holidays today

The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, is in force today and there are 8 permanent bank and public holidays in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland.

Ireland has the same eight holidays as England and Wales, plus St Patrick's Day and the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

In Scotland, since the Scotland Act 1998 Scottish Ministers have the responsibility for setting bank holidays. There are other public or local holidays which can be determined by local authorities, based on local tradition. Since 2007, St Andrew's Day has been an alternative, voluntary public holiday, which can replace an existing local holiday. Businesses and schools are not necessarily closed on Scottish bank holidays, and the Scottish banks only follow the English and Welsh bank holidays for business reasons.

When the usual date of a bank or public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a 'substitute day' is given, normally the following Monday.

Once upon a time everything shut on a bank holiday; offices, banks, shops, but nowadays many offices and shops remain open, only banks are not allowed to operate on bank holidays. Nowadays, the only day that most things close in the UK is Christmas Day.

Contrary to popular belief, people do not have an absolute right to paid leave on bank and public holidays, instead they are often part of their holiday leave, it depends on the terms of the contract of employment, but many people working on these days do receive extra money, often "time-and-a-half" or even "double time". Sometimes people will get time in lieu, which means they get paid for working and they get an extra days holiday, which they can take at another time.

People employed in essential services like utilities, fire, ambulance, police, health-workers, etc. usually receive extra pay for working on these days.

In spite of the terrible British weather, many people use bank holidays to go away for a long weekend. This means that museums and other public attractions; historic houses, zoos, sports centres, etc. remain open. But it also means that the traffic on British roads can be horrendous, often exaccerbated by essential road works, or engineering work on the railways. According to the RAC an estimated 11 million Britons take to their cars over the spring bank holiday.

Of course with the use of modern technology, most banks' telephone and internet banking services operate 24/7/365 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year.

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How to Identify 10 Different Types of Headaches

I have already talked about Tension, Migraines and Sinus headaches, but did you know there are Ten different types of Headaches?  More importantly would you be able to identify what type of headache you have?  Knowing what you have can make it easier to understand and deal with.

Types of headaches

Many of us are familiar with some form of the throbbing, uncomfortable, and distracting pain of a headache.  Although headaches can be defined as pain “in any region of the head,” the cause, duration, and intensity of this pain can vary according to the type of headache.

In some cases, a headache may require immediate medical attention. Seek immediate medical care if you’re experiencing any of the following alongside your headache:

• stiff neck
• rash
• the worst headache you’ve ever had
• vomiting
• confusion
• slurred speech
• any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• paralysis in any part of your body or visual loss

If your headache is less severe, read on to learn how to identify the type of headache you may be experiencing and what you can do to ease your symptoms.

PRIMARY HEADACHES

Primary headaches occur when the pain in your head is the condition. In other words, your headache isn’t being triggered by something that your body is dealing with, like illness or allergies.

These headaches can be episodic or chronic:
Episodic headaches may occur every so often or even just once in a while. They can last anywhere from half an hour to several hours.
Chronic headaches are more consistent. They occur most days out of the month and can last for days at a time. In these cases, a pain management plan is necessary.

TENSION HEADACHES

If you have a tension headache, you may feel a dull, aching sensation all over your head. It isn’t throbbing. Tenderness or sensitivity around your neck, forehead, scalp, or shoulder muscles also might occur. Anyone can get a tension headache, and they’re often triggered by stress.

CLUSTER HEADACHES

Cluster headaches are characterized by severe burning and piercing pain. They occur around or behind one eye or on one side of the face at a time. Sometimes swelling, redness, flushing, and sweating can occur on the side that’s affected by the headache. Nasal congestion and eye tearing also often occur on the same side as the headache.

These headaches occur in a series. Each individual headache can last from 15 minutes to three hours. Most people experience one to four headaches a day, usually around the same time each day, during a cluster. After one headache resolves, another will soon follow.

A series of cluster headaches can be daily for months at a time. In the months between clusters, individuals are symptom-free. Cluster headaches are more common in the spring and fall. They are also three times more common in men.

MIGRAINES

Migraine pain is an intense pulsing from deep within your head. This pain can last for days. The headache significantly limits your ability to carry out your daily routine. Migraines are throbbing and usually one-sided. People with migraine headaches are often sensitive to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting also usually occur.

Some migraines are preceded by visual disturbances. About one out of five people will experience these symptoms before the headache starts. Known as an aura, it may cause you to see:

• flashing lights
• shimmering lights
• zigzag lines
• stars
• blind spots

Auras can also include tingling on one side of your face or in one arm and trouble speaking. However, the symptoms of a stroke can also mimic a migraine, so if any of these symptoms are new to you, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Migraines might run in your family, or they can be associated with other nervous system conditions. Women are three times more likely to develop migraines than men. People with post-traumatic stress disorder also have an increased risk for migraines.

Certain environmental factors, such as sleep disruption, dehydration, skipped meals, some foods, hormone fluctuations, and exposure to chemicals are common migraine triggers.

If OTC pain relievers don’t reduce your migraine pain during an attack, your doctor might prescribe triptans. Triptans are drugs that decrease inflammation and change the flow of blood within your brain. They come in the form of nasal sprays, pills, and injections.

SECONDARY HEADACHES

Secondary headaches are a symptom of something else that is going on in your body. If the trigger of your secondary headache is ongoing, it can become chronic. Treating the primary cause generally brings headache relief.

ALLERGY OR SINUS HEADACHES

Headaches sometimes happen as a result of an allergic reaction. The pain from these headaches is often focused in your sinus area and in the front of your head.

Migraine headaches are commonly misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. In fact, up to 90 percent of “sinus headaches” are actually migraines. People who have chronic seasonal allergies or sinusitis are susceptible to these kinds of headaches.

A sinus headache can also be a symptom of a sinus infection. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection and relieve your headache and other symptoms.

HORMONE HEADACHES

Women commonly experience headaches that are linked to hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation, birth control pills, and pregnancy all affect your estrogen levels, which can cause a headache. Those headaches associated specifically with the menstrual cycle are also known as menstrual migraines. These can occur right before, during, or right after menses, as well as during ovulation.

It’s estimated that about 60 percent of women with migraines also experience menstrual migraines, so alternative remedies may have a role in decreasing overall headaches per month. Relaxation techniques, yoga, acupuncture, and eating a modified diet may help prevent migraine headaches.

CAFFEINE HEADACHES

Caffeine affects blood flow to your brain. Having too much can give you a headache, as can quitting caffeine “cold turkey.” People who have frequent migraines are at risk of triggering a headache due to their caffeine use.

When you’re used to exposing your brain to a certain amount of caffeine, a stimulant, each day, you might get a headache if you don’t get your caffeine fix. This may be because caffeine changes your brain chemistry, and withdrawal from it can trigger a headache.

EXERTION HEADACHES

Exertion headaches happen quickly after periods of intense physical activity. Weight lifting, running, and sexual intercourse are all common triggers for an exertion headache. It’s thought that these activities cause increased blood flow to your skull, which can lead to a throbbing headache on both sides of your head.

If you develop exertion headaches, make sure to see your doctor. In some cases, they may be a sign of a serious underlying medication condition.

HYPERTENSION HEADACHES

High blood pressure can cause you to have a headache, and this kind of headache signals an emergency. This occurs when your blood pressure becomes dangerously high.

A hypertension headache will usually occur on both sides of your head and is typically worse with any activity. It often has a pulsating quality. You may also experience changes in vision, numbness or tingling, nosebleeds, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

If you think you’re experiencing a hypertension headache, you should seek immediate medical attention.

You’re more likely to develop this type of headache if you’re treating high blood pressure.

These types of headaches typically go away soon after the blood pressure is under better control. They shouldn’t reoccur as long as high blood pressure continues to be managed.

REBOUND HEADACHES

Rebound headaches, also known as medication overuse headaches, can feel like a dull, tension-type headache, or they may feel more intensely painful, like a migraine.

You may be more susceptible to this type of headache if you frequently use OTC pain relievers. Overuse of these medications leads to more headaches, rather than fewer.

Rebound headaches are likelier to occur any time OTC medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are used more than 15 days out of a month. They’re also more common with medications that contain caffeine.

The only treatment for rebound headaches is to wean yourself off of the medication that you’ve been taking to control pain. Although the pain may worsen at first, it should completely subside within a few days.

A good way to prevent medication overuse headaches is to take a preventative daily medicine that doesn’t cause rebound headaches and prevents the headaches from occurring to begin with.

POST-TRAUMATIC HEADACHES

Post-traumatic headaches can develop after any type of head injury. These headaches feel like migraines or tension-type headaches, and usually last up to 6 to 12 months after your injury occurs. They can become chronic.

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What is a Migraine?

If you have ever had a migraine then you will know how nasty and debilitating they can be. There are different types of headache and it is good to understand them so you are aware if any of your symptoms are unusual.  And it is good to know what other people go through when they suffer them as it can be easy to dismiss things that you don't understand or have never suffered yourself.

A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head.

Many people also have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.

Migraine is a common health condition, affecting around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men. They usually begin in early adulthood.

There are several types of migraine, including:

• migraine with aura – where there are specific warning signs just before the migraine begins, such as seeing flashing lights
• migraine without aura – the most common type, where the migraine occurs without the specific warning signs
• migraine aura without headache, also known as silent migraine – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, but a headache doesn't develop

Some people have migraines frequently, up to several times a week. Other people only have a migraine occasionally. It's possible for years to pass between migraine attacks.

When to seek medical advice

You should see your GP if you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms.

Simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be effective for migraine. However, be careful not to take too many painkillers as this could make it harder to treat headaches over time.

You should also make an appointment to see your GP if you have frequent migraines (on more than five days a month), even if they can be controlled with medication, as you may benefit from preventative treatment.

You should call 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or someone you're with experiences:

• paralysis or weakness in one or both arms and/or one side of the face
• slurred or garbled speech
• a sudden agonising headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
• headache along with a high temperature (fever), stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision and a rash

These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a stroke or meningitis, and should be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.

Causes of migraines

The exact cause of migraines is unknown, although they're thought to be the result of temporary changes in the chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain.

Around half of all people who experience migraines also have a close relative with the condition, suggesting that genes may play a role.

Some people find migraine attacks are associated with certain triggers, which can include:

• starting their period
• stress
• tiredness
• certain foods or drinks

Treating migraines

There's no cure for migraines, but a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms.

These include:

• painkillers – including over-the-counter medicationssuch as paracetamol and ibuprofen
• triptans – medications that can help reverse the changes in the brain that may cause migraines
• anti-emetics – medications often used to reduce nausea and vomiting

During an attack, many people find that sleeping or lying in a darkened room can also help.

Preventing migraines

If you suspect a specific trigger is causing your migraines, such as stress or a certain type of food, avoiding this trigger may help reduce your risk of experiencing migraines.

It may also help to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, sleep and meals, as well as ensuring you stay well hydrated and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol.

If your migraines are severe or you've tried avoiding possible triggers and are still experiencing symptoms, your GP may prescribe medication to help prevent further attacks.

Medications used to prevent migraines include the anti-seizure medication topiramate and a medication called propranolol that's usually used to treat high blood pressure. It may take several weeks before your migraine symptoms begin to improve.

Outlook

Migraines can severely affect your quality of life and stop you carrying out your normal daily activities. Some people find they need to stay in bed for days at a time.

However, a number of effective treatments are available to reduce the symptoms and prevent further attacks.

Migraine attacks can sometimes get worse over time, but they tend to gradually improve over many years for most people.

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What is a Tension Headache?

Headaches are never fun, but there are different types. Today you will learn about tension headaches.

What is a tension headache?

Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck regions. Tension headaches are usually mild or moderate, as compared to migraines, which cause throbbing pain on both sides of the head.

A tension headache is the most common type of headache. It can cause mild, moderate, or intense pain in your head, neck, and behind your eyes. Some patients say that a tension headache feels like a tight band around their forehead.

Causes of tension headaches

Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck regions. A variety of foods, activities, and stressors can cause these types of contractions. Some people develop tension headaches after staring at a computer screen for a long time or after driving for long periods. Cold temperatures may also trigger a tension headache.

Other triggers for tension headaches include:

• alcohol
• eye strain
• dry eyes
• fatigue
• smoking
• a cold or flu
• a sinus infection
• caffeine
• poor posture
• emotional stress

Symptoms of a tension headache

• Symptoms of a tension headache include:
• dull head pain
• pressure around the forehead
• tenderness around the forehead and scalp

Considerations

In severe cases, your doctor may run tests to rule out other problems, such as a brain tumor. Tests used to check for other conditions may include a CT scan, which uses X-rays to take pictures of your internal organs and an MRI, which can help your doctor examine your soft tissues.

How to treat a tension headache

Medications and home care

You can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to get rid of a tension headache. However, these should only be used occasionally. According to the Mayo Clinic, using OTC medications too much may lead to “overuse” or ”rebound” headaches. These types of headaches occur when you become so accustomed to a medication that you experience pain when the drugs wear off.

OTC drugs are sometimes not enough to treat recurring tension headaches. In such cases, your doctor may give you a prescription for medication. If painkillers are not working, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant, which is a medication that helps stop muscle contractions. Your doctor may also prescribe an antidepressant such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs can stabilize your brain’s levels of serotonin and can help you cope with stress.

Your doctor may also recommend other treatments, such as:

• stress management classes to teach you ways to cope with stress and how to relieve tension
• biofeedback, which is a relaxation technique that teaches you to manage pain and stress
• cognitive behavioral therapy, which is talk therapy that helps you recognize situations that cause you stress, anxiety, and tension
• acupuncture, which is an alternative therapy that may reduce stress and tension by applying fine needles to specific areas of your body

Supplements

Some supplements may also help relieve tension headaches. However, since alternative remedies can interact with conventional medications, you should always discuss these with a doctor first.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the following supplements may help prevent tension headaches:

• butterbur
• coenzyme Q10
• feverfew
• magnesium
• riboflavin (vitamin B-2)

Other ways to ease a tension headache include:

1. applying a heating pad or ice pack to your head for five to 10 minutes several times a day
2. taking a hot bath or shower to relax tense muscles
3. improving your posture
4. taking frequent computer breaks to prevent eye strain

Preventing future tension headaches

Since tension headaches are often caused by specific triggers, identifying the factors that cause your headaches is one way to prevent future episodes.

A headache diary will help you determine the cause of your tension headaches. You can keep a record of your daily meals, beverages, and activities, as well as any situations that trigger stress. For each day that you have a tension headache, make a note of it. After several weeks or months, you may be able to make a connection. For example, if your journal shows that headaches occurred on days when you ate a particular food, this food may be your trigger.

Outlook for tension headaches

Tension headaches often respond to treatment and rarely cause any permanent neurological damage. Still, chronic tension headaches can affect your quality of life. These headaches can also make it difficult for you to participate in physical activities. You may also miss days of work or school. If it becomes a serious problem, talk to your doctor.

It’s important not to ignore severe symptoms. Seek medical attention immediately if you have a headache that starts suddenly or a headache accompanied by slurred speech, loss of balance, or a high fever. This can indicate a much more serious problem, such as a stroke, tumor, or an aneurysm.

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What is a Sinus Headache

If you have ever had a headache then you will know how much it can knock you out.  But there are different types of headaches and Sinus headaches can be really painful.  Here is why.

Sinus headaches are an uncommon type of headache caused by inflamed sinuses (sinusitis). They are felt as a dull, throbbing pain in the upper face.

Many people assume they have a sinus headache, when in fact it's much more likely to be either a migraine or tension-type headache.

It's important to see your GP if you have any type of bad headache that you cannot control with over-the-counter medicine, particularly if it lasts a week or more, so you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
What causes sinus headaches?

The sinuses are small air spaces in the skull, found behind the nose, eyes and cheeks. They open out into the nose, allowing mucus to drain and air to circulate normally.

When the lining of the nose and upper airways becomes infected – for example, with a cold – the infection can spread to the sinuses and cause them to become swollen. The small opening from the sinuses to the nose can become blocked, which leads to a build-up of pressure inside the sinuses. This is known as sinusitis.

For some people with sinusitis, the pressure builds up to such an extent that it causes pain, or a sinus headache.

You may feel stuffy and congested for a while, but it normally gets better once the cold goes away.

Sinusitis and sinus headaches can last much longer. This usually only happens if bacteria infect the trapped mucus, or your sinuses repeatedly swell up because of an allergy.
Symptoms of a sinus headache

A sinus headache is a constant, throbbing pain felt in the face (around the eyes, cheeks and forehead), usually only on one side. It tends to be at its worst first thing in the morning and may get better by the afternoon.

The pain may get worse when you move your head, strain or bend down, and when you experience extreme changes in temperature (such as going from a warm room into freezing air outside). It can also spread to your teeth, upper jaw and other parts of your head.

Your face may feel swollen and tender to the touch, and you will also have other symptoms of sinusitis, such as green or yellow mucus discharge from your nose and a high temperature (fever).

The symptoms of a sinus headache can be very similar to those of a migraine and tension-type headache, so it can sometimes be hard to tell which you have, but sinus headaches occur with other sinusitis symptoms, such as fever and nasal discharge.

Generally, if you have facial pain or a headache, but no other symptoms of sinusitis, you're more likely to have a migraine or tension-type headache.

Treating a sinus headache

If you have mild symptoms, you may be able to treat them at home by:
resting and drinking plenty of fluids
taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
using over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays or drops to help unblock your nose – although these shouldn't be used for more than a week at a time
holding a warm flannel to your affected sinuses for a few minutes, and repeating this several times a day
flushing the inside of your nose with a saline nasal spray or solution available from your pharmacist – this can help to reduce swelling in the sinuses by cleaning out mucus, bacteria and any allergy-causing particles
When to see your GP

See your GP if your headache doesn't improve after a week, gets worse, or keeps coming back. Your GP may recommend:
antibiotics – if a bacterial infection is thought to be the cause of your symptoms
antihistamines – if an allergy is thought to be the cause of your symptoms
corticosteroid sprays or drops to reduce the swelling in your sinuses

In some cases, your GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, who will carry out some tests to find the underlying cause of your symptoms.

If no other treatments help, your ENT specialist may recommend surgery to improve the drainage of your sinuses.
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When is the Best Time to Study?

Now you have worked how you learn best, it is now time to work out when you learn and remember things the best.  Just as we all have our preferred learning style there are times of the day when we retain information better as well.  

Does the time of day ACTUALLY affect your memory?

Morning Memory vs. Afternoon Memory

Dr. Jane Oakhill, a psychologist at the University of Sussex has conducted a number of experiments to determine whether time of day affects your memory.

And what she’s discovered might come as a surprise to you:

Because it turns out we process two types of memory – Declarative and Semantic – differently throughout the day.

In the morning we tend to be better at Declarative Memory tasks – which is our ability to recall exact details, like names, places, dates and facts.

However in the afternoon, our brain is better at Semantic Memory tasks – our ability to integrate new information with what we already know and make it meaningful.

So what that means is this:

When you’re planning out your day, you want to study NEW material earlier in the day. And use the afternoon to integrate new knowledge into what you already know.

In other words, the morning is best for researching information. And the afternoon is better for synthesizing and applying it.

So, here’s how to structure your day…
For Your Memory: The Best Day Ever…

Because your brain tends to be sharpest at short-term & declarative memory tasks in the morning, and more efficient performing semantic processes in the afternoon, here’s a simple breakdown of how you might structure your day for maximum results:

MORNING

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM is the best time of the day for test-review, problem-solving, report-writing, and math-oriented work.

MID-DAY

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM is best for movement-oriented tasks, like filing away paperwork, doing errands, and practicing music and art.

AFTERNOON

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM is the best time of day for reading-heavy tasks like studying literature and history.

(Now, of course because some of us tend to be “morning people” and others tend to be “night people” there’s a 2-3 hour variance depending on where you fall on that spectrum…)

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Take Some Time Out for Yourself

With the weather changing and the days starting slowly to become shorter it makes you realise how much you need to make the most of the nicer days.  Just taking a trip out to somewhere nearby is a great way to lift your mood, have a change of scene and to spend some for yourself.  It is easy to stay indoors and do nothing in particular, but then you may feel that come the end of the day that you have wasted it and achieved and done nothing.  Just going out for an hour or two breaks your day up and at least you can tell yourself you have done something different today.

Solitary Learning Techniques

There are 7 Different Learning Styles. We all learn differently and you may find more than one learning style suits you best. As a Solitary learner your brain will be using the frontal and parietal lobes, and the limbic system will also active with this style.

If you identify more with the idea of being alone, you are probably a solitary, or intrapersonal, learner. Knowing your preferred learning style and the study techniques that work best for that style can help you to become a more successful and satisfied student. Read on to learn more about this preference and some study tips solitary learners.

About Solitary Learners

As someone who leans toward the solitary style, you are probably quite independent with a preference for having a great deal of quiet time for private introspection. You enjoy taking the opportunity to reflect on a topic and to analyze various aspects of it. This reflection likely applies to yourself, as well as outside situations and information. Solitary people tend to be quite aware of themselves and their inner workings. You may keep a diary or journal as a method of collecting your thoughts. Alone time means a great deal to you. If you have a problem, you retreat to a quiet space to reflect upon it by yourself, rather than hash it out with others. You are probably a planner, someone who likes to set goals and follow a map. It’s probably upsetting to you if you are feeling unsure about something in your life or the direction in which you should go.

Careers for Solitary Learners

Solitary learners tend to pursue certain careers. While this is not always the case, those with an intrapersonal style may be best suited for professions such as an author or researcher. Both of these are careers that thrive on the collection of and reflection on ideas. There are numerous jobs in the allied health field that may appeal to more solitary folks. Medical billers, coders and transcriptionists are all positions that work primarily behind the scenes to obtain information and input it into computer systems, then sending it along to the appropriate recipients like insurance companies, medical providers, laboratories and patients. Frequently, these types of professionals can even work from home. There are countless other kinds of careers that work well for those who enjoy a more introverted lifestyle such as archivists, court reporters and security guards.

Study Strategies

There are lots of ways you can personalize your approach to studying in order to suit your solitary tendencies. First, it makes sense that you’ll probably want to set up a nice, quiet place to serve as your basecamp. Being able to retreat to this secluded space on a regular basis will help to put you in the right frame of mind for focusing on your academic work. It will become routine, and your mind will soon adapt to entering “study mode” when you are in your study space. You’ll benefit from this time away from the hectic pace of daily life in order to focus, reflect and analyse the material in front of you. Journalism is a tactic that often works well for intrapersonal learners. If you enjoy writing, you may benefit from taking time to scribble down your thoughts regarding the topic you’re currently learning. This method will make the information more relatable to your personal life and knowledge of the world. When we can relate to a topic, we are better able to to understand and remember it.

Solitary learners tend to be organized individuals who enjoy planning, making lists and sticking to an agenda. Such personality traits can be used to your advantage when studying. At the beginning of each study session, take time to write down your goals and set deadlines for completing them. For example, you can determine how many pages or what portion of a chapter you’d like to complete, write down the ways in which you intend to review the material such as with flashcards or outlines and set a deadline for when you’ll finish the session. This kind of planning may help to motivate you and to increase your productivity.

These are just a few suggestions of study tips for solitary learners. You can incorporate them into your own preferred method in order to come up with a system that is uniquely successful for you.

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