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Page 5
The Varieties of Headaches
Headaches brought on by muscle spasms are classified as tension headaches; those caused by the dilation of blood vessels are called vascular headaches. A more specialized classification by the International Headache Society further divides headaches into 14 categories. A system that helps the herbalist select the appropriate remedy divides headaches into these groupings:
  Environmental. Caused by pollutants, body posture, lighting, sound, etc.
  Stress. Physical, emotional or mental upset.
  Dietary. Possible allergy to certain foods, medications or additives e.g. xanthine-containing foods.
  Organic. Caused by a disease such as hypertension.
Pain may also be referred to the head (i.e., felt in the head even though the site of disease is elsewhere) by eye disorders such as glaucoma and refractive errors, infections or tumors of the nasal sinuses, dental infections and arthritis of the neck.

 
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