Approximately forty-five million Americans complain of headaches each year which is more than any other ailment. This accounts for one in every six people or sixteen and a half percent of the population. More than eight million people will visit a physician for headache treatment.
Tension headaches are the most common. It is estimated that eighty to ninety percent of the population suffer from tension headaches at least once in their lives. The two categories are episodic or chronic. Patients need evaluation on an individual basis. Episodic headaches appear occasionally or less than fifteen times per month. Chronic events occur more than fifteen times per month or on a consistent basis over longer stretches of time. Tension headaches are experienced by sixty-nine percent of males and eighty-eight percent of females. First onset averages between age nine and twelve.
Migraine headaches are the second most common and sixteen to seventeen percent of the population experience migraines. Many suffer migraine headaches at least once affecting twenty-five percent of women and eight percent of men. Sixty percent of migraines are unilateral. In eighty-four percent of cases, some stimulus initiates the headache. Migraine headaches cause one hundred fifty-seven million people to miss work hours. The average age of onset is between five and eight years old.
The most powerful headaches are cluster headaches. This type appears in cycles that may last for hours or days. They present and cease suddenly. Less than one percent of the population suffer headaches of this type. The average age of the patient is thirty and at first onset usually between twenty and thirty years of age. Cluster headaches are suffered by sixty-nine out of one hundred thousand people. Headaches can have very detrimental effects on individuals, but foods exist that may alleviate some of the pain. Spinach and other leafy green vegetables are abundant in riboflavin which is a type of vitamin B which has been linked to preventing migraines. It is involved in many physiological processes and is necessary for normal cell growth and function. Foods sources include milk, meat, eggs, nuts, enriched flour and green vegetables. High doses of riboflavin seem to reduce the number of migraine headache attacks by about two per month. A combination of riboflavin with other vitamins and minerals shows evidence of reducing pain associated with migraines. Fatty fish abundant in omega-3 fatty-acids with anti-inflammatory properties decrease chronic headache pain according to a 2013 study. Many headaches are dehydration related. Foods high in water content like cucumbers and watermelon may be beneficial. Twenty percent of our daily water intake comes from food and watermelon also contains essential minerals lost during dehydration such as potassium and magnesium. Potassium is a mineral to treat headaches and is often deficient when dehydrated. A medium baked potato with a skin has 926 milligrams of potassium which is almost double the amount in a banana. These foods may benefit many that suffer from various types of headaches. For excellent nutrition software and meal ideas, please visit tpnperfectbodies.com.