Resolution for 2009 - get that elusive silver dot. **Apologies for absences and delays in returning ...
Resolution for 2009 - get that elusive silver dot. **Apologies for absences and delays in returning reads. Moved house on 8th Oct, and only just got my broadband back. Please be patient while I catch up!**
Member since:23.02.2001
Reviews:253
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I have always suffered from headaches.
As a child, I used to have very intense headaches every few months; I would get a pulsating pain on one side of my head (usually the left) that would last for several hours and would be accompanied by sensitivity to light and noise, and nausea. I suspect that to many of you reading this, the word "migraine" will be springing to mind. That is what my parents and I (as I got older) always suspected, but our GP always refused to believe this, as it is a fairly unusual thing in a child, affecting only about 5% of pre-teens (most suffers are aged between their twenties and forties). Trust me to be different, eh? The result was that these headaches went untreated, as regular over-the-counter painkillers cannot even dent a migraine once it is underway, as anyone who has had one will tell you. Fortunately, I (like many childhood migraine sufferers) grew out of them once all the hormones of my teens were settled down and I haven't had one since I left school (touch wood!).
However, my tendency for headaches did persist, especially tension headaches. Technically speaking, I fall into the "frequent" category for tension headaches (that is, I get between one and fifteen headaches every month), something precipitated partly through a family history of headaches and partly because I seem to have a very high sensitivity level to certain factors, only some of which I can control. Red wine is a trigger, so I avoid drinking it. So is dehydration, so I make sure I drink at least two litres of water a day. I try to avoid using my computer for long periods of time (not easy
when I had a 100,000 word thesis to write). I even paid extra for special non-reflective lens to be fitted in my glasses to make computer use as comfortable as possible. But there are other things - such as hormones, stress, poor sleep or even the weather, oddly enough! - that I can do less about and I frequently find my work frustratingly interrupted by that all too common sensation of a "vice-like" ache across my temples and forehead.
I'm sure most of you will recognise this description; research has indicated that around three-quarters of the population experiences a tension headache at some point (although they are more common in women than men or children). Tension headaches are usually caused by muscular stiffness or strain around the head and neck (rather than the chemical imbalances that seem to trigger migraines). Stress - or sitting slumped over a keyboard all day or even carrying heavy bags awkwardly - can cause tension in these muscles, which lead to the headaches that occur in a band across the head, although not accompanied by the nausea and dislike of bright lights that go hand in hand with migraines.
My first reaction to this sensation was always to reach for an ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is actually a very effective treatment for tension headaches, but I did worry that popping pills too often wasn't doing me any good and may even be gradually reducing the effectiveness of the analgesic effect. Indeed, excessive use of painkillers can even cause chronic headaches (called a "rebound" headache). This is where 4Head comes in, a new "natural" treatment for tension headaches that offers an alternative to taking tablets.
4Head is a little white stick about the size of a lipstick that comes in a lurid pink box (available from Boots, Superdrug, pharmacies and supermarkets). Small and light enough to fit easily into a bag or pocket, the idea behind this product is that when you feel a tension headache coming on, you whip it out, pop the lid off and rub the stick gently over your forehead and temples. The stick has a solid consistency (much like a good quality lip balm) and leaves an invisible non-greasy layer across your skin; in fact, the only reason you know it is there is the strong smell of mint and menthol that it gives off. Within a few moments, you experience a pleasant cooling, tingling sensation - you may also find that your eyes water a bit from the menthol if you have been a bit heavy handed with the application! - that mimics the feeling of relief you get if you put a cold can of drink or a bag of frozen peas to your head, as many of us do when experiencing a headache. The active ingredient in 4Head is a form of mint known as levomenthol that has a mild local anaesthetic action (it is also used in Vick's Vaporub and Strepsils for this property). It is the levomenthol that produces the cooling effect, and relaxes the muscles and blood vessels around the temples that have tensed up during the headache. It is also thought to somehow target the pain receptors in the brain, although it is not clear how this works.
However it works, I personally find using 4Head to be an effective treatment for clearing headaches or significantly reducing pain - but only for specific tension headaches. It will not stop the pain if the cause of your headache is tiredness or dehydration, for example, or if you have a migraine, although the cooling sensation may provide some relief from your symptoms in these cases. I wouldn't like to say how "natural" this product is, but it is certainly an attractive alternative to pills, especially for anybody who has problems swallowing tablets or who gets an irritated stomach from doing so. It is quick and easy to use, portable, non-addictive and preferable to use at work or in a public place where I often feel uncomfortable about taking tablets. It is a little pricey at £5.95 for a 3.6g stick, but that stick is claimed to last "over 100 applications" (presumably depending on the size of your forehead) and has an expiry date at least as long as any packet of painkillers. 4Head also has the huge advantage that you can use it as and when you need to, without having to wait the four hours between applications that is necessary with pills. You are warned that you should avoid "excessive use" as it may cause skin hypersensitivity, although without any guidance on what is considered "excessive" this is a little difficult to quantify. I would personally think that you should not be using it on a daily basis over a prolonged period of time, but if you are getting headaches that regularly, you should really be seeking the advice of a doctor anyway.
The manufacturers state that it is safe to use on children, although recommends that parents should consult medical advice if their child seems to get regular headaches. They also say that there is "no evidence of associated side-effects" in regard to pregnancy or breastfeeding, but are clear that no safety data is available for this product in this context. Personally, I would have thought that it is a safer than taking oral analgesics, but I would suggest that pregnant women speak to their GP or pharmacist first.
What about side effects? Well, apart from the aforementioned skin sensitivity from overuse, there don't appear to be many. I have scoured the internet for information, and all I can find is that it may exacerbate skin conditions such as dermatitis and that some people may be allergic to levomenthol, but these are rare occurrences. The worst thing I have found with 4Head is that it is all too easy to get it your hands without realising it, and if you rub your eyes or nose afterwards then it stings something awful - although washing your hands after each application and not touching the treated area for at least twenty minutes after use can of course avoid that. Anyone who wears make-up may want to experiment with 4Head as it is possible it may either mess up your foundation or reduce the effectiveness of the treatment - neither of which is good!
I will have to live with headaches for the rest of my life - 4Head will at least help me to do that. Highly recommended.
Works without refrigeration Can be used with or without oral medication Designed for all ... more
skin types and leaves no visible residue For all age groups of 12 years and above Can be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding (See package leaflet for further ...
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Aug 14th, 2006
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