Have you ever had an ear ache? Terrible, aren’t they? Hours of pain that nothing seems to remedy until in most cases, the infection is healed. Well, imagine having an ear ache of that magnitude for 30 years. Stephen Hirst of Sheffield, Great Britain had such an ear ache that was recently cured, and the media was just waiting to sink their teeth into this story.

Stephen had to go into early retirement due to daily excruciating pain. The ex-miner had dealt with it since age 14. Now age 47, Stephen has spent over 30 years being examined by doctors and specialists trying to determine the cause of the “sharp, jabbing pain that wouldn’t go away.” Not one to give up, he recently visited the Royal Hallamshire Hospital where the cause was surprisingly quickly discovered. With the help of a suction tube and tweezers, a nurse discovered what appeared to be a baby tooth lodged in Hirst’s ear that he said he must have put there when he was a kid, but had no recollection of.

What’s most amazing is that it took 30 years and a simple examination to get to the cause of something that seems so simple. Doctors and specialists often have patients with foreign objects stuck in their ears, so how they didn’t notice this much earlier is certainly a valid question to pose.

It’s truly a miracle that Stephen hasn’t had any developmental issues. In many cases where an object affects hearing like this, it’s likely that parts of the brain wouldn’t develop properly. He hasn’t regained the hearing in the affected hear, but he has at least lost the earaches and headaches.

There are over 40 million Americans that suffer from seasonal allergies, and what’s worse is that most of the medications that help alleviate these symptoms have harmful side effects. Fortunately, there are some answers hiding in nature that are much safer than drugs, and have little to no side effects.

Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant pigment that can inhibit cells that produce histamine.  It’s naturally occurring, and can be found in various foods like citrus fruits and onions. Don’t plan on getting enough of it through your diet though, the amounts found in foods can be minimal. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, take up to 600mg of a quercetin supplement either preventatively or once your symptoms start. It has minimal side effects like headache or upset stomach in some cases.

Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle is a flowering plant that reduces histamine production when ingested. The average dose is between 500mg to 1000mg depending on the severity of the symptoms. Consult your doctor or allergist first, as some people can be allergic to stinging nettle. Rare cases can cause upset stomachs.

Fish oil
The same omega 3 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation that leads to heart disease also helps with allergies. When buying fish oil, be sure to read the label carefully. Make sure you’re getting mercury free fish oil that is either purified or pharmaceutical grade. This will ensure that what you’re buying is potent enough to have positive effects and has had any and all potential toxins removed. Typical dose is 2000mg a day.

Sudden Dizziness or Chest Pain
Either of these scenarios could signal a serious cardiovascular problem stemming from lack of blood being pumped to your heart or brain.  If you experience these symptoms, you should stop exercising immediately and if they don’t subside then you should seriously consider visiting the ER.  Sometimes symptoms like chest pains or shortness of breath can be caused by sudden pains or muscle cramps, so be sure to have your doctor evaluate you to be sure.

Chills, Headache, or Blurred Vision
If you experience any of these symptoms while exercising in hot weather or inside a hot building, stop immediately.  These symptoms could be a sign of heat stroke, which is potentially fatal.  If you don’t feel better right after stopping, your body temperature could be so high that it needs to be cooled right away to prevent possible brain damage.

Feeling the “Burn”
In order for muscles to gain strength and endurance your body breaks down carbohydrates into lactic acid.  This makes your muscles acidic and causes the burning sensation.  The longer you’re in the burning zone, the longer it will take for your muscles to recuperate for your next workout.  When you start to feel the burning, slow your pace and exercise at a low intensity until it subsides.

Pain or Tenderness That Doesn’t Subside
Overuse injuries to bones, tendons, and ligaments are often preceded by localized soreness on one side of the body.  This soreness will generally get worse with continued exercise, so stop immediately if you feel this sort of pain.  This is different than delayed onset muscle soreness which will typically occur 8-24 hours after intense exercise.  This will usually take a few days to completely subside, so exercise at a lighter intensity until you’re fully recovered.

70 percent of Americans are deficient in magnesium, and only 30 to 40 percent of people get at least 75 percent of the daily recommended value of it, which is 400 milligrams. In relation to headaches and migraines, magnesium effects the production of pain managing chemicals in the brain like serotonin. It also helps to open blood vessels in the brain, thereby improving circulation and reducing tension. Dr. Burton Altura, professor of physiology and medicine at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn stated that 50 to 60 percent of his migraine patients were deficient in magnesium, but once they began treatment of the proper daily amounts they often experienced immediate relief.

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, and boosts production of the feel-good hormones called endorphins, which in turn help to fight migraines. Physical activity will also help to release and relieve muscle tension that adds to stress related headaches. A study of over 43,000 Swedish people showed that both men and women alike were less likely to experience migraines or recurring headaches if they got 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise 5 times a week.

In some cases you can prevent a migraine from coming to fruition by performing simple acupressure treatments on yourself when you feel their symptoms begin to materialize. Use your right thumb on the webbing at the base of your left thumb and index finger, and your right index finger on the palm side. Apply pressure and massage/squeeze the area with short, circular motions for a couple of minutes. Repeat the same action on the right.