What You Should Know About Headaches and Migraines in St. Louis, MO
Condition Description
Chronic and sometimes severe pain in the forehead or other parts of the head, sometimes without an obvious cause.
Common Symptoms
Tension headaches, which are dull, non-pulsating, constricting pain (not severe) and often associated with tender points on or around head called trigger points
Migraine headaches are intermittent headaches associated with symptoms, such as visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise
Cluster headaches consist of severe localized pain in the orbital or supra-orbital and /or temporal areas. Attacks can occur anywhere from eight times per day to once every other day. Attacks occur in clusters and then stop for varying periods of time before recurring. Cluster headaches can be precipitated by alcohol, nitrates or any vasodilatation
Underlying Causes
Most headaches in these three categories discussed are often triggered by environmental, nutritional and endocrine factors
Environmental causes consist of food and mold allergies, chemical sensitivity and/or yeast overgrowth
Nutritional causes consist of magnesium, calcium and/or vitamin B6 deficiency
Endocrine causes include hypothyroidism, peri-menopause, and/or premenstrual hormone fluctuations associated with menstrual cycles
Traditional Approach
Nondrug therapies including relaxation, EMG biofeedback, and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT)
Analgesics like Aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen,
Barbiturates like Butalbital in combination with above medicines
Antidepressants like Amitriptyline (Elavil), and Doxepin , and muscle relaxants like Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Severe attacks may be treated with Almotriptan (Axert), Eletriptan (Replex), Sumatriptan (Imitrex), Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45), Eergotamine/caffeine (Cafergot), Codeine Phosphate, Prpoxyphene HCl (Darvon)
Associated symptoms like nausea and vomiting may be treated with Metclopramide (Reglan), Prochlorperazine (Compazine), or Promethazine (Phenergan). Cluster headaches respond to Sumatriptan (Imitrex), intranasal Zolmitriptan (Zomig), intranasal Lidociane
EHC Approach
Test for and treat food and mold allergies, chemical sensitivities, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, yeast overgrowth and mineral deficiencies (especially magnesium, calcium, and vitamin B6)
Would you like to learn more about headaches and migraines? Call Environmental Health Center to schedule an appointment at
(314) 921-5600
!
Success Stories
Condition Treated:
Dizziness, Migraine Headaches, and On Nerve Medication
Initials:
J. K.
Date:
12/10/98
Story:
After going to Dr. Sultan since 06/25/98 for so many things that my regular doctors wouldn't bother talking to me about, Dr. Sultan and his staff have greatly helped my lifestyle. The treatments and consultations received from Dr. Sultan have given me back a better outlook toward my future, where, while I was very sick before coming to him, I had nothing to look forward to. My dizziness is now hardy anything to worry about. MY migraines are less and less. The nerve medication I have been on for over 12 years -- I have been reducing. I even had a recent discussion during an office visit with my psychiatrist about how much I have been feeling better due to Dr. Sultan. My doctor still thought that it would be a good idea for me to be on an antidepressant for a while. I said "No. Dr. Sultan is taking care of me and I don't want them. I'm trying to get off my meds."
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
It took her less than six months to turn around. Allergy and related problems are important cause for all sorts of physical and mental ailment. Here are three tack (nail) laws you should know: Tack law #1: if you are sitting on a tack, it takes lots of psychotherapy to make you feel. The same applies to antidepressants. Tack law #2: if you are sitting on two tacks, removing one does not result in 50% improvement. Tack law #3: if you are sitting on 5 tacks and even if you remove 4 tacks, darn thing still hurts! Moral: the answer is to remove the tacks and need for antidepressants and psychotherapy will go away.
Condition Treated:
Severe, Severe Migraine Headaches
Initials:
D. H.
Date:
11/12/05
Story:
I suffered from these headaches beginning in 1990. Started going to doctors, after doctors for help. Headaches got so bad that I had a standing spot with Christian Hospital for pain shots along with taking other medicine at home. The year 2000 I started coming to Dr. Sultan's office. Tested for allergy issues. Find out I was allergic to so many things that I was putting into my body like eggs, milk, wheat, soy, sugar and yeast. I went on allergy shots and with plenty of counseling along with other things that were done to help my headaches. Now I am pretty free of the migraine headaches by watching my diet and staying away from sugar and other things. I'm thankful to God and Sr. Sultan's office and staff for all their help.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
N/A
Condition Treated:
Headaches, Runny Nose - 24 years’ duration
Initials:
S. M.
Date:
February 2000
Story:
It seems as though I had been having headaches and a runny nose forever. I had gone to my regular doctor several years ago and he said I had allergies and put me on Claritin D. This helped, but I never knew what the allergies were. My son has been going to Dr. Sultan for several years and had such a dramatic improvement that I decided I should see if I could be helped. It has been 3 months now and I feel so great. I know what my allergies are and how to better take care of myself with good eating habits. I am very thankful for the help.
I came to Dr. Sultan over a year ago. I had many symptoms, such as bronchial asthma, recurrent vaginal yeast infections approximately 24 (once a month), itching and swelling of eyes (6 years), urinary tract infections for 7 years, fatigue, canker sores, gas and bloating for 1 year and headaches, also chest pains which turned out to be from food.
I had been to several doctors for my problems including a prior allergy doctor and no one could really get me well because they only treated the symptoms, not the cause. Dr. Sultan treats the cause.
Today, 05-15-91 - I feel great, I am taking allergy shots, watching my diet and doing what Dr. Sultan suggests I do. All my symptoms are gone except for slight asthma. Whenever I have been sick the Doc has been there to see me and immediately help me.
I have since had friends come over and now my mother. I tell people all the time about Dr. Sultan and his allergy treatment center and his staff has always been good to me. Whenever I have any problem of sickness or pain I consult with Dr. Sultan first and I know if he can't help me he will send me to someone who can. He is a very honest and caring Doctor. I would highly recommend anyone coming here.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
When she had multiple problems like this, doctor of the organ approach does not work. You need somebody who is able to look at the patient comprehensively from head to toe and make connections and figure out the reasons for all the symptoms. Once that is accomplished, recovery is quick.
Condition Treated:
Asthma, Headaches, Nasal Allergy, Hay Fever
Initials:
V. M.
Date:
05/12/92
Story:
I first started coming November 1989. I have seen Doctors down in Georgia with no success. Dr. Sultan kept me on the medication I was on until I got used to the climate up here. With no success of my medication, Dr. Sultan suggested for me and my parents to believe in his testing, and his successes which started on July 5, 1990. At the end of all the testing I had the following problems: Candida, Dust and Mold, and Pollens. Since I've been taking my allergy injections, I have gone from seeing Dr. Sultan from once a month to every 4 months. I am thankful for being able to have met Dr. Sultan and his staff. He has made me feel like a real person instead of being sick all the time.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
The single most important cause for respiratory allergies is inhalant allergy like dust, molds and pollens etc. There are basically two methods of allergy testing-traditional allergy testing and serial dilution testing. Traditional allergy testing is typically very insensitive and misses a lot of allergies and cannot quantify allergy. On the other hand in serial dilution testing, multiple dilutions are tested which makes it more sensitive and also helps to pinpoint to the right treatment dose. Instead of taking injections for years to see a response, you can start seeing the response within a few injections like 4 or 5 injections and this is the point where recovery starts and need for medications minimized.
Condition Treated:
Dust, Mold and Candida
Initials:
R. S.
Date:
05/23/91
Story:
Since starting injections four weeks ago, I have had major improvement from pressure around my eyes and headaches. I had discontinued Prozac, an antidepressant prescription that I had been taking for over three years. Also, the pain in my knees has been reduced to a trace.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
This again refers to the point I made in the last story that with serial dilution testing you come close to the treatment dose and it is just a matter of 4 or 5 injections to reach the maintenance dose and you can see the benefit of the allergy treatment which means clearing up all your symptoms, reducing the need for the medicines and reducing dependence on the medical system.
ondition Treated:
Candida, Thyroid, Magnesium, Inhalants
Initials:
T. B.
Date:
04/29/91
Story:
When I started coming here, I had trouble breathing. It is greatly improved, shortness of breath is greatly improved to a point of non-existence. My nerves have settled down and my headaches have stopped. I no longer have cold hands and feet, swelling has subsided, my bowels have come back to regular stability. My meals are much more enjoyable since the nervousness does not upset my system. My allergy shots take care of the problem I had with molds, hay and grass. The thyroid problem is greatly improved with the medication I take. The magnesium medication has done wonders, I feel stronger and not tired anymore. My Candida is under control. The picture in my chart needs to be replaced because I look much better now.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
For her respiratory problems we treated her with inhalant allergies that brought closure to one set of her problems, low thyroid and magnesium are very important causes for chronic fatigue and taking care of these two problems resolved the debilitating symptom of chronic fatigue. Candida is an important cause for neuro symptoms like depression, anxiety, poor memory, poor concentration, mood swings, irritability and mental fatigue etc. As a matter of fact, yeast overgrowth is the single most important cause for neuroimmune disorders. These are typically treated with antidepressants etc. If you treated the cause you can get off nerve medications and get off psychiatrist’s couches.
Condition Treated:
Headaches, Fatigue, Muscle Pain
Initials:
J. W.
Date:
05/19/92
Story:
"From Death to Life"
When I came to Dr. Sultan in September of 1991, I felt like I wanted die! I suffered from severe headaches which required me to take pain killers (codeine) daily and I could not stay awake. I slept any chance I could get. I had suffered for 14 years and had been to numerous doctors, all of which could not help me. I was diagnosed with Candida and low thyroid. I received treatment for these conditions. J Today, I no longer take naps throughout the day and have energy to be a productive person. My headaches are much better and I do not take pain killers anymore. I feel the best I have in my entire life. Today I no longer survive life, I am thriving in life. Thank you, Dr. Sultan.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
What a dramatic statement “From Death to Life”. Allergy and related causes can make you so sick that you wish you rather be dead instead of alive. He suffered for 14 years and not even once he was ever suggested to look for the underlying causes. The only treatment offered was symptomatic treatment. It is crystal clear from cases like this that medicines cannot fix the problem. See how simple the solution was. He needed to be treated for yeast overgrowth and thyroid to bring a full recovery. Recovery is not difficult even if you are deathly ill. That’s why I say that it is 90% inspiration and 10% perspiration to turn your life around. Dr. Sultan’s comments: What a dramatic statement “from death to life”. Allergy and related causes can make you so sick that you wish you rather be dead instead of alive. He suffered for 14 years and not even once he was ever suggested to look for the underlying causes. The only treatment offered was symptomatic treatment. It is crystal clear from cases like this that medicines cannot fix the problem. See how simple the solution was. He needed to be treated for yeast overgrowth and thyroid to bring a full recovery. Recovery is not difficult even if you are deathly ill. That’s why I say that it is 90% inspiration and 10% perspiration to turn your life around.
Condition Treated:
Candida, dust & Mold, Food Allergies, EFA (Essential Fatty Acids), Iron and Vitamins
Initials:
J. S.
Date:
04/05/92
Story:
Jeff is only 9 years old, but during his short life, he's known a lot of sickness. As a baby and toddler he had frequent ear infections and upper respiratory infections. He's always had mood swings and tended toward "hyper" behavior. At age 5, he was hospitalized with bronchospasms and had several "asthmatic" type reactions during the next 2 years. Then he began to develop sinus infections and by age 8 was sick 8 months of the year. Eczema began to appear at that time and would often spread over large areas of his body. He was miserable. After allergy testing and treatment, Jeff is a totally different child. He is calmer, quieter, happier, less tired, better able to concentrate on his school work. The eczema is gone. He has only 2-3 colds a year and they don't seem to develop into the frequent infections that they used to. He can breathe freely and he enjoys jogging! He has fewer stomach aches and headaches and life is just "more fun"! Hooray! We are grateful to God for the healing that we see and to Dr. Sultan and his staff for unraveling the "mystery" of Jeff's ill health. Jeff has a brighter future because of a lot we've learned .... Thanks!
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
Look at this child who is 9-year-old and up until the age of 9 years he suffered and suffered and suffered. Besides this frequent respiratory symptoms and respiratory infection a dominant feature was “hyper” behavior with mood swings. This is again a typical case of neuroimmune disorders where the immune system as well as the nervous system is being affected. One of the complications of untreated respiratory allergies in children is development of hyperactivity, ADHD and ADD in later years. 30% of children are now classified as “mentally sick”. I assure you that none of them allergy has ever been suspected as a cause. The end result is these children end up with Ritalin or Ritalin type medications and don’t accomplish very much academically.
Condition Treated:
Dust and Molds, Candida, Thyroid
Initials:
D. L.
Date:
09/17/91
Story:
Before coming to the Allergy Treatment Center I was constantly sick and never knew why. I always had hives, a constant headache, dizzy spells, very irritable, tired after 8-10 hours of sleep, had poor concentration and memory. After going to several different doctors, who never took the time to find out what was wrong but always had a cure, I came here to the Allergy Treatment Center. After just 2 visits I was feeling somewhat better and now after being on allergy treatments and finding the cause of my symptoms, I feel like a different person. I have a different outlook for my future because I know why I was feeling bad and hopeful I will not feel that way again.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
Look at what a wonderful turnaround and how quick the turnaround is. All you had to do was find the cause and hit right on the nail. Please teach your loved one’s that no matter how sick they are recovery is possible-only if you look for the underlying causes.
ondition Treated:
Inhalants, Candida, Thyroid, Magnesium
Initials:
K. T.
Date:
11/09/91
Story:
One year ago I was feeling so bad that I thought there had to be something seriously wrong with me. I had constant fatigue, recurrent sinus infections (which medication would help only for a short time) and severe headaches. These problems were progressing to the point that I wasn't sure if I could continue to work full time as a counselor. Now, a year later, I am convinced I can be and will remain healthy. I have a renewed zest for life and look forward to each day. All of my symptoms have not completely vanished, however, I do feel they are manageable. I am feeling much better about every aspect of life. To Dr. Sultan and his wonderful staff, I say, "Thank you," for you have truly made a difference in my life!
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
This is interesting to know that Cathy is a counselor. One of the traditional teachings is that psychological problems should be managed through psychological techniques or nerve medications. This reminds us of Tack (nail) laws. Tack law No. 1 states that if you are sitting on a Tack it takes a lot of psychotherapy to make you feel good. Tack law No. 2 states that if you are sitting on two tacks, removing one does not result in 50% improvement. The key is that you take all the tacks out and then the patient is on his way to recovery.
Condition Treated:
Dust and Molds, May-June Pollens, Candida
Initials:
P. S.
Date:
07/13/93
Story:
When I first visited ATC, I suffered from severe allergy problems to include daily coughing and sneezing attacks, headaches, dizziness and nausea. It was impossible to be outdoors and generally uncomfortable indoors. Following a thorough medical history evaluation, testing was conducted and treatment initiated. Relief was immediate, and one month later the difference is remarkable. I'm free from the coughing and sneezing fits, and the headaches, dizziness and nausea have likewise disappeared. Through a healthier diet, I am eating well and shedding a few unwanted pounds. I feel better, look better, and have been able to participate in more summer activities with my family.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
The best and the quick way to get relief from respiratory symptoms like runny nose, coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing is doing the allergy testing by serial dilution testing. It gives you the treatment dose which just takes a few injections to reach the maintenance dose and then symptoms clear up.
Condition Treated:
Underactive Thyroid (hypothyroidism) and Candidiasis
Initials:
C. J.
Date:
07/08/93
Story:
I came to Dr. Sultan after years of checking with other doctors with no success. My symptoms included: severe headaches, extreme fatigue, cold hands and feet, morning fatigue. This went on for about six years. My school attendance was very poor. I would feel good for about a week and then the symptoms would occur. After about a week of headaches and fatigue, I would improve. After seeing Dr. Sultan, he ran tests to see what my problem was. He diagnosed me as having an underactive thyroid and having Candidiasis. After about 2 months on thyroid pills and treatment for Candidiasis my symptoms improved greatly. Now 5 months later my symptoms are gone. I have more energy and very seldom have a headache.
Dr. Sultan’s Comments:
To least recognize causes of chronic illness are hypothyroidism and yeast overgrowth. The reason for missing low thyroid is that physician normally looks at the thyroid levels which can stay within the normal range even if your thyroid level has dropped significantly and you have been suffering. That is why just looking at the thyroid levels since they are normal and you have symptoms like fatigue, morning fatigue, being tired by the end of the day, feeling excessively cold, having cold hands and cold feet, dry skin and facial puffiness in the morning you may be told you look beautiful on paper. What is normal may not be normal for you. That’s why we recommend you to take basal temperatures under the arm for 10 minutes with a glass thermometer. Your normal temperature should be between 97.0 to 98.2. If you consistently have low temperature then it is strongly suggestive of low thyroid along with your symptoms of fatigue and tiredness and others mentioned above.
