Bad breathing as a co-factor or direct cause of the majority causes aside from prescription drugs, food, and air-born allergies or physical trauma-based headaches. How good is YOUR breathing?

Headaches are one of the leading causes of missed work and school. The absenteeism, lost productivity and medical expenses cost the U.S. industry some $50 billion a year.

Doctors often don't have the time necessary to assess the headache. It is often a very good idea to do a complete physical exam and assess the pain, its frequency and location, other symptoms and possible contributing factors which may include food allergies, and toxic chemicals.

Aside from trauma and poisons, headaches can stem from numerous causes including stress, eyestrain, hunger, fever, underlying infections or illnesses, or blood vessel disturbances in the head. Also muscle tension in the neck, head, back or shoulders is usually due to fatigue or stress. Infections of the ears, mouth or sinuses; high blood pressure; glaucoma; allergies; brain tumors or abscesses; some drugs and various foods; and QUITE often, bad breathing.

Most of the suspects such as MSG, an often allergenic food additive, chocolate, ripe cheeses, and freshly baked yeast products, contain a naturally occurring chemical called tyramine, which may constrict blood vessels in the brain.

Some headaches are a sign of a serious medical condition. The headache council recommends you contact your doctor if:

• Your headache is accompanied by a stiff neck, fever, shortness of breath, dizziness, drowsiness, severe vomiting, unsteadiness, weakness, slurred speech, numbness, tingling, or unexpected symptoms affecting your eyes, ears, nose or throat.
• You have three or more headaches a week.
• You take a pain reliever daily or almost daily.
• You take more than recommended doses of over-the-counter medications.
• Your headaches are triggered by exertion, coughing, bending or sex.
• Your headache keeps worsening and won't go away.
• Your headaches began after age 50.
• Your headaches began after a head injury.

• Things to help stave off oxygen deprivation headaches:
• Keep your work, social and sleep areas well ventilated.
• Sleep on a pillow that is not too fluffy, and don’t let it cover your nose when you sleep.
• Sleep on your back or side.
• Use SinuPower to help prevent obstructed breathing while sleeping.
• Make it a habit to take about a dozen slow, deep breaths each hour, or as often as possible.
• Eat a mucus-free diet (avoid dairy and processed foods) which reduces phlegm.
• Control humidity to below 45% or less to 30%