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Headaches and allergy: A common cause of a common problem By Dr. William Walsh 
A recent study demonstrated that people with allergic nasal congestion suffered more headaches than people without this condition. This study is exceedingly important because it provides an explanation for a very common, perplexing and painful illness — headaches.While everyone suffers headaches, most are usually infrequent and mildly painful. However, millions of people experience frequent, painful headaches with unclear causes, making them difficult to effectively treat. This study suggests that allergy is a major cause of headaches. For these people, allergy treatment can bring great relief. Recognizing allergic headaches Headaches caused by allergy can appear anywhere in the head, but do not involve the neck, shoulders or back. Pain there is more likely caused by muscles, joints or vertebrae and needs its own evaluation. No particular pain characterizes allergic headaches. They can be sinus headaches, migraine headaches and cluster headaches. These headaches can migrate from one type to another, even on the same day. Searching for the causes of head pain begins with your HealthEast clinician and may include neurology, otolaryngology (ENT), dental and other evaluations. If we cannot identify a cause, this is one of the best clues that your headaches are caused by allergy. Treating allergic headaches Allergic headaches are caused by the same dust, mold, pollen and food that cause other allergic illnesses such as stuffy nose, hives and wheezing. The only difference is that in headaches, the targets are arteries, nerves and sinus membranes of the head. Since the causes are the same, we can treat headaches the same way we treat other allergic conditions: medications, environmental control, diet changes and allergy injection treatment/immunotherapy. Finding the source of the headaches As an allergist, I have a formula for identifying the causes of allergic headaches: In searching for the cause of headaches certain general rules guide me:
ragweed pollen. Headaches that peak during the school or work week suggest poor air quality at school or work. Headaches that do not vary by season and persist through time spent at home point to poor air quality at home. How do you confirm that the home, school or work place causes headaches? Look at people who share the building to see if they have symptoms caused by poor air quality: headaches, wheezing, chronic congestion and recurrent respiratory or sinus infections. Make an appointment If you suffer from frequent, painful headaches, contact your HealthEast clinician to begin testing for underlying causes. If you believe you may have allergic headaches, make an appointment with HealthEast Allergist Dr. Walsh by calling 651-326-1044. He begins practicing with HealthEast on June 30.
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