Article Surfing Archive

'I am worn out. I'm not worth much today. I cannot seem to get it together. This spot on my sinus is hurting again and I cannot breathe through my nostril. The smell of her perfume is getting to me. Wow, I sure could use a break from these fluorescent lights. Now my sinuses are throbbing. Finally, it's time to go home. I know it's dinner time, but I really don't feel like eating. I wonder if I will need to go to the doctor again and take another round of antibiotics. I hate that, because I always have to treat the yeast infection that follows.'

Regrettably this presentation of migraine usually receives a prescription of antibiotics rather than appropriate care. Just as bad, the patient gives up on seeking medical care and resorts to self-medicating which can lead to complications, such as, rebound headaches or chronic daily headaches. Proper diagnosis is essential to beginning appropriate care. Unfortunately many patients have even had multiple sinus surgeries without success. I am pleased to report that the efforts of headache experts are starting to be realized. I have found ENT surgeons in my area of the country are now more aware of migraines presentations and are more alert to recommend their patients to receive appropriate care.

This person falls into the migraine syndrome profile. Let me explain what I mean by the migraine syndrome. It is the outward expression of the body's sensitivity to light, sound, smell, food, and/or stress. Some people are more sensitive than others; therefore, their reactions to different stimuli are greater. This sensitivity can be manifested in the body as migraines, sinus headaches, neck aches, palpitations, irritable bowel syndrome, motion sickness or vertigo, reactive hypoglycemia, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), panic attacks, and/or fibromyalgia. Now that's a mouthful! Understanding what is going on with you is very important in the healing process.