Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


About SETMA - Special Services - Headache Clinic
Print this page
Special Services

SETMA's providers can evaluate and effectively treat your head problems. One of the most debilitating problems in healthcare is chronic headaches. In a setting of competence and compassion, you will be able to be evaluated for what kind of headache you have and for what treatments are available.

In SETMA's treatment of your headaches, you will be taught about many lifestyle changes which will help you control and improve your headache pattern. Some of these are:

Eat at regular times and do not miss meals. The following foods may trigger headaches and you should take measures to avoid these foods whenever possible.
  • Avacado
  • Avoid all alcoholic beverages if possible. No more than 2 drinks per day.
  • Bananas (no more than 1 per day)
  • Caffiene (tea, coffee, cola - no more than 4 servings per day)
  • Canned figs
  • Chicken liver
  • Chocolate
  • Citrus foods (no more than 1 orange per day)
  • Fermented, pickled, or marinated foods
  • Fermented sausage (bologna, salami, pepperoni, summer and hot dogs)
  • Foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG - often found in Asian foods)
  • Fresh breads, raised coffee cakes, and doughnuts
  • Herring
  • Instant foods such as TV dinners
  • Nutrasweet
  • Nuts (including peanut butter)
  • Onions
  • Pods of broad beans (lima, navy, and pea pods)
  • Pork (no more than 2 to 3 servings per week)
  • Potato chips
  • Raisins
  • Ripened cheeses (cheddar, emmentaler, gruyere, stilton, brie, and camberet)
  • (american, cottage, cream, and velveeta are permissible)
  • Saccharin/aspartame (found in Sweet n' Low and many diet foods and sodas)
  • Shrimp
  • Sour cream
  • Vinegar (except white vinegar)
  • Yogurt
  • Eliminate any foods that you believe may bring on an attack.
  • Discuss these foods with your doctor.
The following envorinmental factors may trigger headaches and you should take measures to avoid them if possible.
  • Strong smells and fumes
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Glare or dazzle
  • Weather/changes in weather
Sleep can have an impact on your headaches. Keep the following points in mind.
  • Try to avoid oversleeping (especially after prolonged stress)
  • Try to get an adequate amount of rest on a regular basis
  • Try to ensure that your sleep is restful and not disrupted
Your activity may have an effect on your headaches. Keep the following points in mind.
  • Avoid prolonged overexertion, especially if not acclimated
  • Watch your posture; avoid craning your neck forward; think "tall"
  • Avoid prolonged uncomfortable postures
  • Keep your muscles as relaxed as possible when not physically active
  • Avoid frowning or jaw clenching
Stress can have an impact on your headaches. Keep the following points in mind.
  • Try to avoid minor hassles whenever possible
  • Try to spread your workload out evenly through the day
  • Major losses can cause stress -- be prepared to handle the stress as best you can
  • Anger can cause stress -- avoid it whenever possible
  • Conflict can cause stress -- avoid it whenever possible