Holiday Headaches: An Unwanted Gift for 45 Million Sufferers; 10 Tips to Rescue the Holiday Season

Online, December 6, 2010 (Newswire.com) - While many people associate the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day as a happy time for parties, family, and travel, the holidays can also mean an increase in headaches for about 45 million Americans.

"The rise in headaches during the holidays is caused by a number of factors, many coming at the same time," said Lawrence Newman, MD, a board certified neurologist and Director of the Headache Institute at Roosevelt Hospital. "These include stress, dietary changes, and forgoing a healthful routine," he explained. "There are also environmental triggers such as weather, holiday smells and loud noises."

Headaches are caused by the activation of a nerve that causes an inflammatory response to the blood vessels in the head, causing real pain and suffering. The most common types of headaches are tension, cluster, sinus, hangover, and depression. Migraines affect women about three times more often than men. Children and adolescents aren't spared either -- about 15 to 20 percent of them suffer from chronic headaches.

But headaches aren't inevitable. "There are common sense strategies that can work for both children and adults," said Dr. Newman. "These 10 tips can help lesson the incidence of headaches for many sufferers."

10 Tips to Prevent Holiday Headaches
1. Maintain your usual sleep schedule to get adequate rest.
2. Continue to exercise daily. Walking or running can substitute for a gym workout.
3. Eat regularly scheduled meals and maintain an adequate fluid intake.
4. Don't fast all day if you are going to a party or dinner and then binge eat at the event.
5. Drink alcohol and caffeinated beverages in moderation. Consider alternating a glass of water or club soda with alcoholic beverages and substitute water or decaffeinated tea, coffee and soda for the high octane drink.
6. If you are traveling, arrive at the airport early to avoid feeling stressed.
7. Pack any important medications in your carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage which can get lost.
8. Avoid foods with additives like MSG, nitrates, aspartame and tyramine. These substances can be found in smoked meats, aged cheeses (like brie, and camembert), chocolate, alcohol, and many processed foods. Read the package label, if possible, when in doubt.
9. Avoid environmental triggers like bright lights, loud noises or strong odors from scented candles. People sensitive to smells should keep the holiday candles unlit and use department store entrances away from the perfume section.
10. If you are visiting family or friends, don't be shy about asking for help. Tell them in advance what might cause headaches for you or your child.

"If you suffer with migraines or other headaches, learn what your triggers are and follow these tips to avoid them," suggests Dr. Newman. "That may be the best gift you can give to yourself for the holidays!"

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