Headaches

Understanding Headaches: A Conventional Approach

Headaches, a common yet complex condition, affect countless individuals worldwide. Understanding the nature of headaches is the first step in effective management. This section explores various headache patterns, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis in determining the most suitable treatment strategy. From tension headaches to migraines, each type presents unique characteristics and requires a tailored approach. Conventional treatments typically focus on symptom relief, employing a range of medications to alleviate the discomfort associated with these diverse headache types.

Dr. Michael E. Rothman: A Pioneer in Headache Management

Dr. Michael E. Rothman, serving as the Medical Director of MD Wellness, brings a revolutionary approach to understanding and treating headaches. His expertise in this field extends beyond traditional methods, offering a more in-depth analysis of headache causes and effective management techniques. Dr. Rothman’s innovative strategies focus on identifying and addressing the underlying metabolic imbalances that often lead to various types of headaches. By exploring beyond conventional treatments, he paves the way for more personalized and effective headache relief solutions.

Conventional Approach to Headaches

Name the type of Headache
Choose the appropriate drug to treat the symptoms of the named headache

Different Names for Various Headache Patterns

Tension headache
Cluster headache
Migraine headache
Ice pick headache
Thunderclap headache
Sinus headache
Hormonal headache
Caffeine headache
Exertion headache
Rebound headache
Post-traumatic headache
Spinal headache
Many more variations

Various Types of Drugs use to Treat the Symptoms of Headaches

Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Narcotics
Vasoconstrictors
Ergot alkaloids
Triptans (serotonin receptor agonists)
CGRP antagonists
Antinausea medications
Other pain relievers

Metabolically Directed Approach to Headaches

Fix what is wrong
Frequently an autonomic nervous system problem
Frequently an oxido-reductive imbalance
Frequently a dietary problem
Frequently a sex hormone problem
Frequently an unrecognized environmental issue

Health is Achieved Toward the Middle of the Curve

Autonomic Nervous System Imbalances

The Autonomic Nervous System ANS

First described by Dr Francis Pottenger in his book “Symptoms of Visceral Disease”, originally published in 1919

Your Autonomic System has two Systems

Sympathetic Nervous System – known as the “fight or flight” response – stimulates vasoconstriction, raises blood pressure and heart rate, slows down gastrointestinal (GI) and urinary system (GU), raises body temperature, many other effects
Parasympathetic Nervous System – known as the “rest and digest” response – stimulates vasodilatation, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, speeds up gastrointestinal (GI) and urinary system (GU), lowers body temperature, many other effects

Excess Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) Activity can Contribute to Symptoms of Headache

Vasodilatation from excess PNS activity increases blood flow to your brain, and can cause headaches
Migraines, cluster headaches and exercise headaches – generally caused by vasodilatation
Estrogen Dominance (too much Estrogen, not enough Progesterone) is a common cause of excess PNS activity and headaches.
Hypothyroidism – increases PNS activity
Fluctuating blood sugars (Edibolic Stress) can stimulate excess PNS activit
Other frequent symptoms of excess PNS- frequent and urgent defecation, increased mucus production, wet stools, increased urge to defecate, excessive gas and bloating, eating stimulates urgent need to defecate.
There may be other symptoms of elevated PNS activity – frequent and urgent urination and urinary incontinence, depression, low blood pressure, bradycardia, drooling of saliva, watery eyes, post nasal drip, hypoglycemia, asthma, difficulty seeing in the dark….

Treating Excess PNS Activity

Vitamins, minerals and amino acids that stimulate SNS can be helpful (complex P)
If Estrogen Dominance is a problem, hormonal therapy is therapeutic (DIM, Calcium-D-Glucarate, Progesterone and testosterone replacement)
Caffeine stimulates SNS (note that certain OTC headache medications contain caffeine)
Stabilizing your blood sugar – eating enough saturated fat at each meal (“the log on the fire”), reduces autonomic dysfunction
Some prescription medications work by causing a vasoconstriction of your blood vessels including Ergot Alkaloids,Triptans and CGRP antagonists

Excess Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) Activity can Contribute to Symptoms of Headache

Vasoconstriction from excess SNS activity decreases blood flow to your brain, and can cause headaches
Stress headaches, tension headaches – general caused by vasoconstriction
Hyperthyroidism – increases SNS activity
Fluctuating blood sugars (Edibolic Stress) can stimulate excess SNS activity
Frequent symptoms – constipation, thin, ribbon like stools, decreased urge to defecate, reflux
There may be other symptoms of elevated SNS activity – slow urine flow, urinary retention, anxiety, high blood pressure, tachycardia, dry mouth, dry nose, insomnia, cold hands and feet, excessive sweating, high blood sugar, dry eyes, blurry vision….

Treating Excess SNS Activity

Vitamins, minerals and amino acids that stimulate PNS can be helpful (Complex S, Taurine )
Caffeine stimulates SNS (note that certain OTC headache medications contain caffeine) and should be avoided
Tyramines – can cause vasoconstriction headaches
Avoid cured and processed meats (hot dogs, bacon) Fermented foods (sauerkraut, pickled foods, soy products
Stabilizing your blood sugar is important – eating enough saturated fat at each meal (“the log on the fire”), reduces autonomic dysfunction

The Work of Emanuel Revici MD

Fatty Acid vs Sterol Levels Leading to Metabolic Imbalance And Headaches

The Balance Between Fatty Acid and Sterol Activity Within Your Cell Membranes is Vital to Your Health

A very common cause of headaches is excessive fatty acid activity
Also there may excessive sterol activity contributing to chronic headaches
Balance between Fatty Acids and Sterols is extremely important and usually overlooked
Fatty Acid/Sterol balance is vital to proper oxido-reductive balance

A Balance Between Fatty Acids and Sterols

Dysaerobic Imbalance – Dysfunctional Use of Oxygen as a Cause of Headaches

Very common cause of migraine headaches
In the Dysaerobic Imbalance – there is an excess of fatty acids and a relative deficiency in sterols within cell membranes.
This fatty acid/sterol imbalance leads to an increase in alkalinity within the tissues and excess water pulled into tissues
Other symptoms of Dysaerobic Imbalance – diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, pain, fatigue, itchiness, tinnitus, vertigo

Identifying Dysaerobic Patients

Lab Findings – may have -high CRP, high serum cholesterol, low estrogen, low progesterone, low cortisol, increased symptoms during menses
Metabolic Tests – high urine SG > 15, low urine pH < 6.1, high saliva pH > 6.7, rapid absorption of skin wheel
Reacts well to prednisone and other steroids
Benefits from relatively high cholesterol foods
Reacts poorly to sulfur products

Treating a Dysaerobic Imbalance

Diet – high in cholesterol, avoidance of fried foods and vegetable oils, avoidance of nuts, seeds and avacados
Supplements- Oxygenic D+(glycerol and butanol), Oxygenic D, Glutamine, Glucosamine HCl, Glycin
Can react very poorly to sulfur containing foods and supplements

Too Many Fatty Acids, Not Enough Sterols

Anaerobic Imbalance – Lack of Oxygen as a Cause of Headaches

In the Anaerobic Imbalance – there is an excess of sterols and a relative deficiency in fatty acids within cell membranes.
Anaerobic (lack of oxygen- also known as anaerobic glycoysis = Warburg Effect) – Lactic acid is a product of anaerobic metabolism
This fatty acid/sterol imbalance leads to an increase in acidity within the tissues and dehydration within the tissues
Other symptoms of Anaerobic Imbalance – constipation, excessive sleepiness, depression, pain, fatigue, itchiness, tinnitus, vertigo

Identifying Anaerobic Patients

Lab Findings – may have -low CRP, low serum cholesterol, high estrogen, high progesterone, high cortisol, increased symptoms during ovulation and in the mid-luteal phase of cycle. Metabolic Tests – low urine SG < 15, high urine pH > 6.1, low saliva pH < 6.7, slow absorption of skin wheel
Reacts poorly to prednisone and other steroids
Reacts well to sulfur foods and products

Treating an Anaerobic Imbalance

Diet – Relatively low in cholesterol, avoidance of fermented foods
Supplements- Oxytonic, Oxy A, Taurine, Condroiton Sulfate, L- Carnitine…
Reacts well to sulfur containing foods and supplements

Too Many Sterols

Problem – Eating the Wrong Fats can Contribute to Headaches

Myth – saturated fat and cholesterol cause heart disease and obesity. Unsaturated fats (like nuts and seeds and avocados) are the “good” fats
Fact – Unsaturated fats are very fragile, increase oxidative stress, contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and contribute to headaches
Saturated fats are very stable and increase your HDL. Cholesterol is the building block for your sex hormones, adrenal – cortical hormones, vitamin D, bile salts and cell membranes. Eating these healthy fats can reduce frequency and severity of headaches

Numerous Studies “Proving” That Cholesterol is the Root Cause of Heart Disease were done on Rabbits

Saturated Fats Have no Double Bonds, They are very Stable and Tend to Stabilize Your Metabolism and reduce Headaches

Unsaturated Fats Have Double Bonds – They are unstable and tend to Destabilize Your Metabolism and Cause Headaches

Hormonal Problems Contributing to Headaches

All of your Sex and Adrenal Cortex Hormones are Made from Cholesterol

All Sex and Adrenal Cortex Hormones are Made From Cholesterol

Many Menstruating Women Suffer from Increased Headache Symptoms During Parts of Their Menstrual Cycle

Increased Headaches early in cycle can indicate dysaerobic imbalance and sex hormone deficiency
Increased Headaches mid-cycle (ovulation) can indicate either anaerobic or parasympathetic imbalance and/or excess estrogen (estrogen dominance)
Increased Headaches in mid-luteal phase can indicate anaerobic imbalance and sex hormone excess

Treatment for Hormonally Mediated Headaches

Measure sex hormones during appropriate time of cycle
Take measures to decrease excess estrogens (if elevated)
Take measures to increase low progesterone (if insufficient)

Biotoxin Illness

A Common, Underecognized Cause of Chronic Headaches

Many People Suffering from Chronic Headaches have a Biotoxin Illness

Biotoxin Illness – caused by exposure to biological toxins, more often in genetically predisposed patients
These biological toxins include mold (and other contents found in water damaged environments), toxic blue-green algae and stealth organisms
Often associated with many, many other symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, sleeplessness, joint and muscle pain, gastrointestinal issues…
See section on Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)

Metabolically Directed Approach to Headaches

Fix what is wrong
Frequently an autonomic nervous system problem
Frequently an oxido-reductive imbalance
Frequently a dietary problem
Frequently a sex hormone problem
Frequently an unrecognized environmental issue

To learn more about MD Wellness contact us today by giving us a call at (732) 268-7663, emailing us at [email protected] or by requesting an appointment online.

1670 ROUTE 34 N. 3R FLOOR SUITE 3C WALL • NJ 07727

+1 732 268-7663

1670 ROUTE 34 N. 3R FLOOR SUITE 3C WALL • NJ 07727

+1 732 268-7663

Headaches

Understanding Headaches: A Conventional Approach

Dr. Michael E. Rothman: A Pioneer in Headache Management

Conventional Approach to Headaches

Different Names for Various Headache Patterns

Various Types of Drugs use to Treat the Symptoms of Headaches

Metabolically Directed Approach to Headaches

Health is Achieved Toward the Middle of the Curve

Autonomic Nervous System Imbalances

The Autonomic Nervous System ANS

Your Autonomic System has two Systems

Excess Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) Activity can Contribute to Symptoms of Headache

Treating Excess PNS Activity

Excess Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) Activity can Contribute to Symptoms of Headache

Treating Excess SNS Activity

The Work of Emanuel Revici MD

The Balance Between Fatty Acid and Sterol Activity Within Your Cell Membranes is Vital to Your Health

A Balance Between Fatty Acids and Sterols

Dysaerobic Imbalance – Dysfunctional Use of Oxygen as a Cause of Headaches

Identifying Dysaerobic Patients

Treating a Dysaerobic Imbalance

Too Many Fatty Acids, Not Enough Sterols

Anaerobic Imbalance – Lack of Oxygen as a Cause of Headaches

Identifying Anaerobic Patients

Treating an Anaerobic Imbalance

Too Many Sterols

Problem – Eating the Wrong Fats can Contribute to Headaches

Numerous Studies “Proving” That Cholesterol is the Root Cause of Heart Disease were done on Rabbits

Saturated Fats Have no Double Bonds, They are very Stable and Tend to Stabilize Your Metabolism and reduce Headaches

Unsaturated Fats Have Double Bonds – They are unstable and tend to Destabilize Your Metabolism and Cause Headaches

Hormonal Problems Contributing to Headaches

All of your Sex and Adrenal Cortex Hormones are Made from Cholesterol

All Sex and Adrenal Cortex Hormones are Made From Cholesterol

Many Menstruating Women Suffer from Increased Headache Symptoms During Parts of Their Menstrual Cycle

Treatment for Hormonally Mediated Headaches

Biotoxin Illness

Many People Suffering from Chronic Headaches have a Biotoxin Illness

Metabolically Directed Approach to Headaches

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