Daily Column

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 40-year-old woman and suffer from headaches. I have seen several doctors who diagnosed me with a migraine or stress headache. I have seen my general physician several times over the years but he has not ordered any testing. He told me I have migraines and gave me a narcotic medication to take as needed.

I was wondering if there is a possibility that the headaches were caused by head trauma? During a previous marriage my husband was abusive and beat my head against concrete. I was also in a car accident a few years later where my head went through the windshield. I was never tested with an MRI or CT scan following these injuries. I don’t recall if the headaches started after one of the events but I do know that they have been increasing in severity over time. [Read more...]

Sunday Column

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My wife is 68 years old, a diabetic, has high blood pressure and is bothered with a constant throbbing in her head, especially in bed at night. She takes Digitek, Amlodipine and HCTZ plus two others I can’t remember the names of.

If you have any ideas that will help her, it would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, your article on grape seed extract helped her cure her Parkinson’s immediately. She had it over 5 years. Thank you very much.

DEAR READER:
Most headaches are minor and can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, while others can signal a serious medical problem. It certainly appears your wife falls in to the latter category.

Digitek is generally prescribed for cardiac-related conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure but can also be used for impaired kidney function, electrolyte and thyroid disorders, and more. [Read more...]

Daily Column

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I suffer from headaches associated with allergies and have tried numerous medications without much success. With spring here, the grass growing and flowers blooming, I’m really in a bind to find something I feel safe taking. Do you have any suggestions?

DEAR READER:
Allergies and headaches can be difficult to deal with and seem to affect us all at some point in our lives. Worse still, they seem to occur only at important occasions or other inappropriate times. You don’t indicate what you have taken for relief, so hopefully I can point you in the right direction.

I recommend a visit to your local pharmacy to see what is available over-the-counter. There are several allergy products offered by various companies which help many individuals. You may wish to try Claritin, a prescription medication now approved for over-the-counter sale. The newest allergy prescription turned OTC is Zyrtec. If you stop the allergies you should be able to prevent the headaches.

If you prefer homeopathic choices, I recommend Sinol which is the first headache nasal spray registered with the FDA. It is purported to relieve headache pain and also comes in an allergy relief spray. It supposedly reduces, prevents and/or stops sinus pain, as well as congestion and inflammation. It is non-addictive and free of harsh side effects.

If you need some guidance, speak with the pharmacist who may be able to provide more information about the types of medication that will best control your symptoms and provide prompt relief. If you still are confused or have questions, make an appointment with your primary care physician for his or her recommendations.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Allergies” and “Headaches“. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).