We have all experienced that dull painful pressure, but most of us don’t have to experience it more than a few times a year. Imagine having to endure this pain a few times a week or even everyday. Chronic headache sufferers have my sympathy and when I see them, I try to find the cause of their headaches as soon as I can. Most times the cause is something so simple they can’t even believe that such a little thing could cause such a debilitating symptom. If you or your loved ones suffer from chronic headaches, please read below for some simple strategies to address the most common causes of headaches.

Success Story

I recently saw someone in private practice who came to me complaining of stomach pain. He said it happened every time he ate food and had recently started losing weight because he avoided eating as long as he could each day. The stomach pain had been going on for about a year, but had been gaining intensity in the last few months. His previous doctor prescribed an acid blocking drug for his stomach pain, which helped a little. When I questioned him about other symptoms and daily activities I found the cause of his stomach pain.

He told me that he worked at a computer ~8 hours a day and he suffered from daily headaches for which he had been taking 200mg of Advil® a day for the past 5 years. When I asked him why he didn’t mention the headaches as one of his complaints he told me that he’s had them for about 7 years and that his doctor told him that there was nothing he could do, that some people just get headaches. His stomach pain sounded like a peptic ulcer, which chronic NSAID use such as Advil® can be a large contributing factor. Those who take NSAID’s are 5 times more likely to develop peptic ulcers¹.

I assessed the posture he used while working on the computer and gave him a simple eye exam.  I determined that his posture was straining his neck muscles and that he was seriously overdue for a new eye glass prescription. I gave him some herbs to help heal and protect his stomach mucosa and a handout for proper computer station posture. The next week he got a new eye glass prescription from his optometrist and in one month he no longer had stomach pain or headaches. He was even able to discontinue his acid blocking drug.

Poor posture and eye strain was creating chronic daily headaches and the Advil® he was taking along with other factors probably created the peptic ulcer. Once these obstacles to health were removed his health complaints resolved.

Common Causes

In my experience, the cause of chronic headaches is typically lifestyle or behavioral related. They’re typically not due to serious pathology, but can profoundly affect quality of life. However, since headaches can occasionally be due to something more serious, you should always see a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation and management. Below, I’ve listed some of the most common and modifiable causes I come across in clinical practice.

• Neck tension from improper posture while working on the computer is probably the most common offender I see. It’s very important to maintain good posture, so your neck and shoulder muscles are not constantly straining all day while you’re at work.
• Dehydration from not consuming enough fluids throughout the day is very common and getting in a proper amount of hydrating fluids is one of the easiest things you can do for your health.
• Squinting from not wearing UV protective sunglasses when driving or outdoors. Just try squinting on and off for the next hour and you’ll see how this can cause a headache.
• Eye strain from staring at a computer screen all day or from having the wrong corrective lens prescription. Be sure to limit the amount of time you spend on the computer and stay current with your optometrist appointments.
• Hypoglycemia from blood sugar dysregulation. It’s important to have the occasional protein snack in between meals  and avoid simple carbohydrates to maintain healthy blood sugar balance.
• Food reactions such as those to cheeses (tyramine), processed meats (nitrates & tyramine), wine (sulphites), and food additives (MSG & food colorings).
• Medications such as oral contraceptive pills, blood thinners, caffeine withdrawal, antihistamines, corticosteroids, etc. It may be necessary to change the class of medication if a headache side effect is seriously affecting your quality of life.

If you suffer from chronic headaches, please contact you medical provider for proper assessment and care. Especially if headaches are something new for you or if they’re progressively getting worse.

1. Huang J-Q, Sridhar S, Hunt RH. Role of Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in peptic ulcer disease: a metaanalysis. Lancet. 2002;359:14–22.

If you’re looking for Naturopathic, Holistic, and Alternative Health Care options come see us in the beautiful Fairhaven district in Bellingham, WA.

Menopause is not a disease, but rather the point in a woman’s life at which she is no longer fertile, and menstrual periods have ceased. Menopause can be accompanied by physical symptoms in some women, such as hot flashes or night sweats. It can also be seen as a positive beginning, a new phase of life with opportunities to take preventative action against major health risks. While there is no way to predict when menopause will occur, some factors influence the timing such as; removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy, and/ or smoking.

Quick Overview:

Menopause is defined as the absence of menses for 12 consecutive months, after which a woman is considered post-menopausal. The transition to menopause is referred to as perimenopause. During perimenopause the ovaries are still functioning, but their function has started to decrease. A woman’s menses may get longer, shorter, lighter, or heavier. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have concerns about changes in your menses, as women may loose a concerning amount of blood during this time and there are a number of treatments available.  It is still possible for a woman to become pregnant during perimenopause, because she may still ovulate. If you are in perimenopausal and engaging in unprotected sex with a male partner and do not desire to become pregnant, it is important to still use birth control during this time.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is there help for my symptoms? Yes, while some women do not experience any symptoms, many women experience one or more of the common symptoms listed below. The severity can range from mild to affecting the quality of a woman’s life. These symptoms can be addressed by a number of different treatments. How we choose those treatments will depend on your risk factors, the severity/ frequency of your symptoms, and what those symptoms are.
• When will these symptoms end? When symptoms end depend on the type of symptom. Mood changes and hot flashes for example, end within 2 years of menopause in 85% of women.  Vaginal changes may continue to progress and if these are uncomfortable, you may speak with your doctor as there are a number of ways to address this.
• Am I a candidate for hormones? Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a topic that has a lot of media presence recently. Some sources are very weary of hormones and other tout HRT as a way to stay young and as a cure all for age related changes. The truth is that the topic of hormones is a complex one and whether or not hormones are a good option for you, varies based on your medical and family history. It is important to remember again, that menopause is a transition in life and not a disease that needs to be treated. Honoring your individual needs and risks is a part of good primary care.
• Can I have my hormone levels tested? Yes, hormone levels can be tested. But, the real question is what these tests tell us.  A number of companies who sell hormone panels , claim that the results tell us more than they actually do. Normal hormone levels vary greatly from person to person and how those hormones  effect us is  based on a number of individual factors. For most women, looking at symptoms and history is actually more informative than testing hormone levels.
• Can I have unprotected sex? Sexually transmitted infection (STI) are increasing in prevalence in women of perimenopausal and postmenopausal ages. This is due to a number of different factors, but primarily it is due to a more active sexual life during this time and discomfort around discussing safer sex practices. Remember, just because you can no longer get pregnant after menopause, women of all ages acquire sexually transmitted diseases.

Staying Healthy:

It’s never too late to start living a healthy lifestyle. Regular check-ups should include a measurement of cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Don’t skip routine preventative screenings such as colonoscopies.  You can work with your doctor to establish a healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet, physical activity, and stress management skills.

Regular physical activity is important at any age, and especially as a woman transitions into menopause. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart, and weight bearing exercises help to maintain bone strength. Regular exercise can also help keep weight off and elevate your mood. Even if you weren’t active before, you can start to increase your physical activity at any age.

Many women find that menopause is a time to celebrate a new phase of life rather than grieve the loss of youth.  Here at Fairhaven Integrative Health we encourage menopause to be used as a time to: explore sources of joy, revive your sex life , make time to appreciate yourself,  take pride in what you have learned, and to look at how you can give back to your community with the wisdom you have earned. We believe that you should take pride and honor everything that this new phase of life has to offer and the lives you will touch.

If you’re looking for Naturopathic, Holistic, and Alternative Health Care options come see us in the beautiful Fairhaven district in Bellingham, WA.

Detoxification isn’t something we choose to do, but rather a natural process that happens every second of the day. The human body can process and eliminate an incredible amount of toxins from both our external and internal environment. The systems for detoxification that were set in place thousands of years ago had no trouble keeping up with the environment then; however, the environment today is nothing in comparison to what it once was and our systems of detoxification  are overwhelmed. Most people are familiar with the “21-day detox” and the “master cleanse”. The former is a kit offered by most professional supplement companies and the latter is a fast using lemon juice, cayenne, and maple syrup. The problem with these approaches is that they don’t take into account the uniqueness of each person’s toxic picture. We all have different toxic exposures and not all toxins are eliminated in the same way; additionally, not everyone detoxifies in the same way. Some people have low exposures and pushing normal detox pathways would be pointless. Knowing what a person’s exposure was and how they detoxify is crucial in determining the right detox protocol.

Weight loss programs are typically seen as being short periods of self-controlled calorie deprivation and exhaustive exercise routines. Rapid weight loss programs like this are ineffective and potentially dangerous. There isn’t going to be one type of diet or exercise routine that fits everyone. It’s important to know each person’s constitution, food cravings, and energy level for an effective weight loss prescription. Our clinic utilizes a five step program to safely and effectively jump start your detox and weight loss goals that are simple to follow all year long. Below you will get a general idea of our approach to detoxification and weight loss.

Pre-screening labs: It’s important to screen for dysfunction in energy systems such as hypothyroidism or anemia before beginning any weight loss program. Additionally, it’s essential to assess the function of the liver and kidneys before safely beginning a detoxification program.

1. Reduction in toxic burden: The human body is constantly being bombarded by toxins. Fortunately for us we have in-born mechanisms for handling these toxins; however, the human body has never experienced so many different sources like it does today. Before we think about mobilizing stored toxins, we need to decrease the amount of new toxins coming in. Fortunately, the majority of toxins we’re exposed to on a daily basis can be eliminated through smarter purchasing of food, cleaning, and beauty products. Some people may even need water and air purifiers. At this point we also want to identify and remove any hidden food allergies contributing to inflammation and water retention that may impede upon healthy detoxification and weight loss.
2. Cleanse and support pathways of depuration: Most people who hear the word “detox” instinctively think of impurities being eliminated from the body, which is actually more appropriately termed depuration. Depuration happens primarily through the bowels, kidneys, and skin, but to a lesser extent through the lungs and mucus membranes. These pathways need to be open and eliminating properly before we optimize detoxification pathways, otherwise there would be nowhere for the toxins to go except back into circulation or deposition into tissues.
3. Optimize your detoxification pathways: Detoxification is the process of taking a toxic compound or a compound that has the potential to harm organic tissues either directly or indirectly and turning that compound into one that has the ability to be excreted through one of our elimination pathways. This process happens through a very complex enzymatic process in your liver. Certain vitamins, minerals, and herbs can optimize the enzymatic process of detoxification. Fat loss can release stored up toxins (many toxins are lipophilic) and is why detoxification pathways need to be optimized before significant fat loss occurs. Healthy liver enzyme function also helps to mobilize fat and processes carbohydrates, which are both needed for a successful weight loss program.
4. Activate your fat burning potential: Now that elimination pathways are clear and detoxification enzymes are optimized, you are ready to mobilize fat stores to be burned for energy and for any stored toxins to be processed and eliminated. You may find that fat loss is easier than you’ve experienced in the past. This is because the first three steps to the program have optimized your body’s ability to metabolize fat stores.
5. Maintenance of optimal body composition: We’re not interested in getting quick short-lived results. Once you’re finished with the previous four steps we’ll give you the tools to maintain your weight loss and continue supporting healthy detoxification year after year.

If you’re looking for Naturopathic, Holistic, and Alternative Health Care options come see us in the beautiful Fairhaven district in Bellingham, WA.

Benefits: Contains numerous types of nutrients that are easy to absorb so they are perfect for colds, flus, GI upset, poor joint health, anemia, and advancing age. It is said that a good bone broth soup will bring the dead back to life. Some of the many nutrients include: calcium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, iron, chondroitin, sulphates, glucosamine, and vitamins A, B, E and K.

Ingredients: The broth

• 2 organic beef bones: for the most flavor, pick bones with a little meat on them. The marrow of the bone reflects the health of the animal and this is a part of your soup, so make sure these come from a good farm.
• 2 thick cuts of bacon chopped into ½ inch pieces
• 3 carrots cut into large chunks
• 3 stalks of celery cut into large chunks
• 1 large onion cut into large chunks
• Olive oil, salt and pepper to taste
• 4 quarts cold of water
• 2 tablespoon vinegar (draws out the minerals from the bones)

Directions: The broth

• In a roasting pan, roast the meat and veggies tossed with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Roast till the bacon is browned.
• Add all the roasted ingredients to a large soup pot with the water. Bring all ingredients to a boil and then simmer for 6-8 hours.
• Cool enough to strain.

Ingredients: The soup

• 1 lb of Portuguese sausage or dry chorizo, into sliced into quarters lengthwise and then cut into thin slices.
• Beef broth from above recipe.
• 3-4 golden yukon gold potatoes
• 1 large bunch of collard greens. Stems removed and the leaf sliced thinly.
• 3 tablespoons of smoked paprika: can usually be found in a good bulk spice section

Directions: The soup

• Brown the meat till crisp on the edges
•  Add beef broth and bring to a simmer
• Add potatoes and cook about half cooked then add the paprika and the collard green leaves. Cook until the collard greens are dark green and soft.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with warm fresh buttered bread or toast.

If you’re looking for Naturopathic, Holistic, and Alternative Health Care options come see us in the beautiful Fairhaven district in Bellingham, WA.