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By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist Headaches can be quite diverse, and understanding the different types and associated symptoms can help in proper diagnosis and management. Here are some common types of headaches and their symptoms:  Tension Headaches Dull, aching pain usually on both sides of the head, pressure or tightness in the forehead or back of the head, neck stiffness or tenderness, mild to moderate intensity, not aggravated by physical activity. Triggers: Stress, poor posture, anxiety, lack of sleep, eye strain. Migraine Headaches Throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head, sensitivity to light, sound, or smell, nausea or vomiting, visual disturbances (aura) such as flashing lights or blind spots, lasts for hours to days. Triggers: Certain foods, hormonal changes, stress, weather changes, strong smells. Cluster Headaches Intense, stabbing pain usually around one eye, watery or red eye on the affected side, nasal congestion or runny nose, restlessness or agitation, occurs in clusters over weeks to months and then may go into remission. Triggers: Alcohol consumption, certain medications, strong odours. Sinus Headaches Pain and pressure in the forehead, cheeks, and bridge of the nose, worsens with bending forward or sudden movements, nasal congestion or discharge, fever, facial tenderness. Causes: Sinusitis (inflammation or infection of the sinuses), allergies. Rebound Headaches (Medication Overuse Headaches) Dull, persistent headache that worsens with medication use, may occur daily or almost daily, tends to improve temporarily after medication but returns. Causes: Overuse of pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen), caffeine withdrawal. Hormone Headaches (Menstrual Migraines) Migraine-like headaches that occur in relation to menstrual cycles, often associated with hormonal changes, such as during ovulation or just before menstruation. Triggers: Hormonal fluctuations, stress, certain foods. Exertional Headaches Throbbing headache triggered by physical exertion or exercise, typically occurs during or after strenuous activities, may last from a few minutes to hours. Triggers: Intense physical activity, dehydration, heat. Thunderclap Headaches Severe, extremely painful headache that peaks suddenly like a clap of thunder within 60 seconds to minutes, often described as the worst headache of one's life, may indicate a serious medical condition and should be checked out by your healthcare professional. This will be more Serious Pathologies so please see a doctor. (Some examples could be: Subarachnoid haemorrhage, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), other neurological emergencies) (These are general descriptions, and individual experiences can vary) Most of these headaches can be treated by your Myotherapist. But it's important to consult your Doctor for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment if you're experiencing recurrent, ‘out of the blue’ or severe headaches. By Megan Cornish, Myotherapist Hormones are the chemical messengers involved in various bodily functions and responsible for maintaining balance in your body’s internal environment. So what happens when hormones become imbalanced? Well PCOS is just one hormonal condition that can occur as a result of hormonal imbalances within our bodies. So how do we address this and how can Myotherapy help? While hormones are not within our control, environmental and external factors are and it’s these things that we can use to our advantage when treating hormonal conditions like PCOS.  Understanding your Condition and PCOS Type Did you know that there are 4 different types of PCOS? Unfortunately your PCOS type is something that may not have been disclosed to you when you received your PCOS diagnosis and is the case with many women I treat, however understanding your PCOS type can be vital in determining the best treatment approach to combat your condition. So let me list them.
Insulin-Resistant PCOS Insulin-Resistant PCOS is the most common type of PCOS and this occurs when there is a higher level of insulin in the body. The hormone insulin is released in response to increased glucose (sugar) in the blood. Think of insulin like an uber for glucose (sugar) in the blood, insulin aids transportation of glucose to their destination which is muscle, liver and fat cells. Once transported glucose will be stored in these cells for energy later. When you are experiencing insulin resistance you are still producing insulin however the “insulin uber” is not transporting glucose effectively and now we have too many glucose hormones waiting for their uber to show up, as a result glucose is now accumulating in the blood. Adrenal PCOS Adrenal PCOS occurs as a result of hormones produced in a response to stress. In this type of PCOS a hormone called DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone - Sulfate) is secreted at a higher rate by the adrenal glands and this elevation of DHEA-S contributes to the hormonal imbalance seen in adrenal PCOS. Managing stress in this type of PCOS should be the priority in order to rebalance hormones and treat the condition effectively. Inflammatory PCOS Inflammation is a chemical response to injury or infection, it is our body’s way of healing itself. Usually inflammation is short term and clears up when the injury or infection is resolved. However, in this PCOS type inflammation has been chronic and ongoing over a long time which results in the ovaries producing too much testosterone. If this is your PCOS type it may be worth investigating the underlying cause of chronic inflammation so that it can be resolved or managed effectively. Post Pill PCOS Post Pill PCOS is the onset of PCOS after ceasing the contraceptive pill. This does not occur in everyone after stopping this medication however is something that can occur and is another type of PCOS. This happens as a result of a natural surge of hormones, however, you’ll be happy to hear that this type of PCOS is temporary as your hormones will start to regulate themselves with time. The good news is all of the above types of PCOS can be treated resulting in significant reduction of symptoms and better overall quality of life. The key is understanding your type of PCOS and making the correct lifestyle changes in order to combat PCOS once and for all! Megan is our treating myotherapist who specialises in all things women's health! She is dedicated to creating a safe space where she can support you through your recovery. Book your first consultation with her today!
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