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Continuous Headache, Eases With Bowel Movements, Loose And Watery Stools. What Could The Cause Be?
I have been having headaches , everyday, for about two month now. I try to wait until it becomes really bad before I medicate because I don t want to chew ibuprophen like candy. Once or twice a week the headaches become dibilitating (what I would call a migraine ). I have also noticed a change in bowel movements, insomuch that they are usually very loose or liquid and often seem to improve my head when they occur. I haven t seen a doctor yet, mainly because having time away from family duties ( son with severe autism ) and work is a challenge and there is usually a three week wait to get in to our family practitioner. Any thoughts?
Tue, 25 Sep 2012
Hi Erica
I do understand your position.
There are 2 possibilities here: First, you have severe anxiety which is worsening the headache and altering your bowel movements as well. Or, you could have 2 independent disorders like migraine and IBS/Malabsorption which would have to be looked into.
So here's what you can do:
a. For the headache, you can take Tablet Ibuprofen 1 tablet as and when required (upto 4 tablets daily). This has to be taken with food
b. Reduce your stress levels. Try some yoga, jogging or even a brisk walk.
c. Try and eliminate dairy ( and/or all sources of lactose) from your diet. Give this a 1 week trial. During this time, yoghurt can be your source of calcium. If this does not help, try and eliminate gluten. This is found in rice, wheat, maize. See this for a complete list
http://www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/September08/HlywiakArticle.pdf
d. Deep breathing exercises called pranayama can help.
Do this in this order
Stress reduction followed by breathing exercises followed by elimination lactose and gluten. Review at the end of each week how the symptoms were etc
Meanwhile, schedule an appointment with your GP. Hopefully you wouldnt need to go.
Hope this helps
Regards
I do understand your position.
There are 2 possibilities here: First, you have severe anxiety which is worsening the headache and altering your bowel movements as well. Or, you could have 2 independent disorders like migraine and IBS/Malabsorption which would have to be looked into.
So here's what you can do:
a. For the headache, you can take Tablet Ibuprofen 1 tablet as and when required (upto 4 tablets daily). This has to be taken with food
b. Reduce your stress levels. Try some yoga, jogging or even a brisk walk.
c. Try and eliminate dairy ( and/or all sources of lactose) from your diet. Give this a 1 week trial. During this time, yoghurt can be your source of calcium. If this does not help, try and eliminate gluten. This is found in rice, wheat, maize. See this for a complete list
http://www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/September08/HlywiakArticle.pdf
d. Deep breathing exercises called pranayama can help.
Do this in this order
Stress reduction followed by breathing exercises followed by elimination lactose and gluten. Review at the end of each week how the symptoms were etc
Meanwhile, schedule an appointment with your GP. Hopefully you wouldnt need to go.
Hope this helps
Regards
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