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When Headaches Strike, Even the
Elderly Aren't Spared
If you've ever been to a bowling alley, you know
that sound by heart - pins being struck by balls, over and over,
frame after frame. Sometimes, it's almost enough to cause a
headache. Well, you don't have to be in a bowling alley to get a
headache, and as recent research shows, it doesn't matter what age
you are, either.
Evidence suggests that headache prevalence (with the exception of
chronic tension-type headache) declines progressively,
particularly after 55-60 years of age. However, in this study,
researchers analyzed the clinical charts of 282 patients age 65
and older, diagnosing primary headaches in 81.6% of the cases.
Among the most common primary headaches diagnosed were migraine
without aura, transformed migraine, and chronic tension-type
headache.
Do you suffer from frequent headaches? If you do, you certainly
aren't the only one - headaches are among the most common physical
complaints prompting people to treat themselves or get assistance
from a health care professional. It's been estimated that 50
million people in the U.S. suffer severe, long-lasting, recurring
headaches. Most headaches are not signs of serious underlying
conditions, but they can be very distracting and debilitating, and
account for significant amounts of time lost from work.
Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about ways to relieve your
headache pain. It may be that your symptoms are due to an
identifiable cause - stress or improper eating habits, for
example. Also, a number of clinical studies have noted the
effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation in relieving headache
symptoms, so a chiropractor may be just the person you're looking
for to help deal with this frustrating condition.
Reference:
Lisotto C, Mainardi F, Maggioni F, et al. Headache in the elderly:
a clinical study. Journal of Headache and Pain
2004;5:36-41.
To learn more about senior health, visit
www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/senior
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