Headaches are among the most common medical problems. Some people have headaches often, while others hardly ever have them. Both chronic and recurring headaches may be painful and distressing but rarely reflect a serious medical condition. However, a change in the pattern or nature of headaches--for instance, from rare to frequent, or from mild to severe--could signal a serious problem and calls for prompt medical attention.
   Most children who suffer chronic daily headaches outgrow the disabling condition.

Vitamins and Herbs potentially helpful in migraine headache
5-HTP may be helpful (see below).
B vitamins in a low dose may offer some benefits.
Feverfew may help a small percentage of users. One feverfew capsule 3-4 x/day for one month, then decrease dosage to 25 mg of dried herb twice daily.
Petasites also known as butterbur, which is available for sale at health food stores.
Melatonin may reduce migraine headaches.

5-HTP beneficial for headaches
Serotonin is a brain chemical involved in mood, appetite control, sleep, and a number of other important functions. Many antidepressants, such as Prozac, and other medicines have their effects by influencing levels of this brain chemical. Interestingly, there is an over the counter nutrient called 5-HTP, which stands for -5-hydroxytryptophan, that also influences serotonin levels. When you take a 5-HTP pill, it makes its way to the brain where it can be converted into serotonin. In addition to having a role to play in mood disorders and weight control, 5-HTP has been found to be helpful in headaches. In a study conducted at the University of Coimbra in Portugal, 65 patients with chronic tension-type headaches were treated with 5-HTP or placebo for 8 weeks. In comparison with the group treated with placebo, there was no statistically significant change in the number of days with headache or in headache intensity in the group treated with 5-HTP; however, there was a significant decrease in the consumption of pain killers. During the 2 weeks after treatment, there was a significant decrease in the number of days with headache and reports from patients indicated that they were pleased with the benefits from 5-HTP. Previous studies have also indicated that 5-HTP may be helpful in the prevention or reduction in severity of migraine-type headaches.
   Comments: 5-HTP is appropriate for those who have headaches associated with mild depression and poor appetite control. The daily dose is best limited to less than 50 mg. Take a break from use two days a week and one week per month.

Benefit of B vitamins
Some migraine headache sufferers may get partial relief by taking a B-vitamin supplement. In an Australian clinical trial, a daily dose of 2 mg of folic acid, 25 mg of vitamin B6 and 400 micrograms of B12 reduced migraine disability in half, while also reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. Previous clinical trials had associated some migraine attacks with a genetic dysfunction that leads to higher levels of the amino acid homocysteine which B vitamins have been shown to lower. The investigators divided 52 volunteers into two groups, one receiving the B vitamins and the other took placebo pills. After six months, the vitamin group showed a 40% reduction in homocysteine levels and significant improvements in migraine attacks, while the placebo group showed no changes. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics.

Tension headache
A tension headache is characterized by tight, painful pressure across the forehead. The pain may also extend into the neck, and is usually steady, rather than sharp or stabbing. Tension headaches may be brought on by everyday stress and frustration, eyestrain and poor posture. Some people with tension headache may have additional symptoms such as fatigue, depression and difficulty sleeping.

Causes of Headaches
Most headaches are muscle tension headaches, migraines, or head pain with no obvious cause. Many headaches are related to problems with the eyes, nose, throat, teeth, and ears. Most chronic headaches attributed to eyestrain are actually tension headaches; a new, severe pain in or around the eyes may signal high fluid pressure (glaucoma) in the eye and is a medical emergency. High blood pressure may produce a throbbing sensation in the head, but high blood pressure rarely causes chronic headaches. Emotional or physical stress, genetic, hormone level fluctuations, weather changes, glare/flickering lights, premenstrual syndrome, lack or excess sleep, missed meals, alcohol, chocolate, birth control pills, menstruation. Drugs such as antibiotics (tetracycline, Bactrim) corticosteroids, Accutane, tamoxifen, Tagamet.

Headache Diagnosis
Usually a doctor can determine the cause of a headache from the patient's medical history and a physical examination. However, occasionally blood tests may be needed to detect an underlying illness. Only rarely are chronic headaches caused by brain tumors, brain injuries, or lack of oxygen to the brain. If the doctor suspects a tumor, stroke, or other problem with the brain, computed tomography (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be ordered to provide images of the brain.

Treatment of Tension Headache
Several types of nonpharmacologic treatment, including physical exercise, relaxation training, and acupuncture can provide long-lasting improvements for patients with chronic tension type headaches.

Standard tension headache treatment
Tension headaches may be prevented by prescription medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers and divalproex sodium. Over-the-counter medications -- such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen -- can help alleviate pain.

Cluster headache
Cluster headaches are severe headaches that usually cause pain behind or around one eye. The nose may also be red, swollen or runny on the same side as the headache. These headaches do not run in families and do not appear to be related to other conditions. The following factors may trigger cluster headaches: Certain medications, including nitroglycerin. Frequent smoking. Changes in sleep schedule. An abnormality in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the body's "biological clock."

Headache and gastrointestinal problems have some relation
Symptoms of headache are higher in people with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, acid reflux, diarrhea, and constipation, than in people who don't have these bothersome symptoms. Dr. Anne Hege Aamodt and associates from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, reviewed questionnaires completed by 43,700 participants in the Nord-Trondelag Health Study, including information on GI symptoms as well as headache. After adjusting for gender, age, depression, anxiety and other factors that might influence the results, the research team noted a significantly higher prevalence of headache among participants with reflux, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, compared to those without such complaints. Cephalalgia, February 2008.

Risk of migraine headache
Migraine patients who have frequent attacks or a long history of migraines have an increased risk of progressive brain damage. Headache, July/August, 2008.

Natural headache treatment questions
I am a 46 year old female who has had problems with headaches (some migraine some cluster some tension). I can sometimes have severe headaches 5 or more days a week. Occassionally I will go several weeks with none at all. Some headaches involve shoulders and neck, some are definitely migraine, its just a whirlwind of chronic head pain. I often develop headaches while sleeping. I have been in the condition for more than 20 years. My MD prescribed a myriad of medications from
amitryptylene to zoloft and everything in between including maxalt. I have chronic insomnia and I am definitely depressed. I don't know if depression causes pain or pain causes depression but it doesn't matter because knowing that wouldn't stop either. I spend 70% of my time trying to resolve the pain I'm in. I read recently about two substances that can affect seratonin levels L-tryptophan and Lithium oratate. I am eager to try them. Can I use them safely simultaneously. I want to use the L-tryptophan at night and the LO during the day. Is this safe in your opinion?
    It is best to learn how each supplement works by itself before combining. We cannot make any predictions on how any product, natural or pharmaceutical, will affect a person, that is not possible for us to know.

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