Critical Warning Signs for Headaches

Although headaches are very common it is not normal to have a headache.  Headaches are a signal from your body that something is out of balance… (Hangover victims are you listening?)  If you often have headaches try using PrestoPainGo when you feel the very beginning of a headache.  Frequent acupressure can help bring your body back into balance and prevent further headaches.  If your headaches keep returning after weeks of Presto treatments we recommend that you contact an acupuncturist or other licensed health practitioner to diagnose and treat your condition.

Although it is rare, some headaches may be a sign of a serious medical emergency like meningitis, internal bleeding under the skull or in the brain, the growth of a tumor, or extreme high blood pressure. Contact a licensed health professional immediately if you experience any unusual headaches or a headache with any of the following symptoms:  changes in consciousness, visual disturbances, high blood pressure, a sudden onset of headache, or a combination of stiff neck, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Risks of Using Over the Counter or Prescription Medications

Treating headaches or any pain with prescription or over the counter medications can lead to numerous long term side effects including chronic headaches which have their own medical acronym: MOH (medication overuse headache).

Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, which include: aspirin, ibuprofen (as found in Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and a long list of prescription medications can lead to life threatening gastrointestinal ulcers and/or bleeding. NSAIDs increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer.  Studies have also shown that they interfere with bone healing and increase the rate of arthritic joint deterioration.

Stay tuned for updates on this page.  I intend to footnote medical studies related to the side effects mentioned above and describe the risks of acetaminophen and narcotic pain medications in the future.