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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Air pollution and CH?
        
(Message started by: Ctech on Sep 19^th, 2007, 6:32pm)

Title: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Ctech on Sep 19^th, 2007, 6:32pm

Air pollution and CH?

Does anyone else think that cluster headache can be triggered by poor air quality?

I live near Atlanta, GA and I started getting CH about two years after the Olympics came and Atlanta’s population exploded. It took me about three or four years to connect the two (and this was before I new what CH was) but I noticed that every year when my cycle started the smog alerts were in full swing?

I have been debating on moving out of state – somewhere with clean air, but I would hate to do something major without being confident that it will help...

I pulled up the air quality index history last week and it is amazing how the dates of poor air quality ramp up and drop off with my cycle.

I started getting CH in 1998 and coincidently a year before they started tracking air quality. Also last year I stayed indoors as much as possible (and got an office job with AC ;)) during what would have been my cycle time and guess what – I skipped my cycle!

Do any of you guy’s think that there could be a link with air quality and clusters??? Or am I just another CH conspiracy theorist?

FYI - I have not had a hit in going on a week now, and the air quality is good...

I do have other reasons that support my theory, but I am not trying to write a book here.

Chris

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Ray on Sep 19^th, 2007, 8:40pm

I don't know about air quality specifically, but certain odors do trigger a CH for me. Included in this list: auto exhaust, raw gasoline vapors, certain solvents (i.e. toluene, acetone), and certain strong floral perfumes.

With regards,

Ray

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Ctech on Sep 19^th, 2007, 9:34pm

I found this: http://askwaltstollmd.com/archives/headache/44359.html

It makes mention to smog & CH...

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by tommyD on Sep 19^th, 2007, 10:42pm

Well actually this Dr. Art Stoll mentions Electromagnetic Smog, whatever the hell that's suppposed to be, as the cause and suggests sleeping in a Faraday cage and using something called energy healing. Somehow I suspect Dr. Stoll doesn't know know much about cluster headache.

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Ctech on Sep 19^th, 2007, 10:58pm

Good point, I was not really sure what the hell he was talking about.

It is a pain to sort out good info about clusters and there seems to be lots of people that claim to know about them but don't know sh*t! >:(

I guess thats why I'm here...

-Chris

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by BlueMeanie on Sep 19^th, 2007, 11:30pm

All I can add to this thread is DON'T MOVE. It will not help your CH's. ;)

PFDAN

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Wayne on Sep 20^th, 2007, 5:18pm

Despite all statements by many experts on the subject I don't believe that anyone could categorically state that air pollution isn't a trigger for you CH, however so could be the pollen count, the number of ants in mating season or the phase of the moon for all we know. Try a long holiday in a place with clean air and see if it helps.

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Ctech on Sep 20^th, 2007, 5:54pm

Yeah, I'm just trying to 'connect the dots' I guess. I am always trying to find the reason why my cycle starts and ends about the same time every year. From what I read summer is not too common for the time of year that I get mine???

But it seems nothing is too common with CH :-/

I would take a long holiday somewhere but I got bills to pay and the most time that I could take off during a year would be two weeks and I don't think that would be long enough to tell me much.

Chris

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Sep 20^th, 2007, 10:51pm

I dont regular air pollution triggers or causes CH. Some localized air pollution, such as perfume or smoke do trigger for some.
A closed, stuffy room can be bad news for me, too. I guess you can call that pollution.

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Boss on Sep 23^rd, 2007, 2:20am

Yeah,I also dont regular air pollution triggers or causes CH.But i hate air pollution and CH.I hope the goverment can solve it. :'(

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by chewy on Sep 23^rd, 2007, 2:30pm

on 09/23/07 at 02:20:28, Boss wrote:

Yeah,I also dont regular air pollution triggers or causes CH.But i hate air pollution and CH.I hope the goverment can solve it. :'(

HI TOM!

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by vietvet2tours on Sep 24^th, 2007, 11:56am

on 09/23/07 at 14:30:58, chewy wrote:

HI TOM!

http://www.steelheader.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/7422fishbeater.gif

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Guiseppi on Sep 24^th, 2007, 12:14pm

I'm with Monee, probably in no way a "cause" of CH, but certainly an aggravating factor when on cycle.

Try not to spend too much time on the "why" stuff, this condition is frustratingly evasive when it comes to those answers. Enjoy the pain free time and keep working an a regimen that keeps your quality of life up...... ;;D

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Ctech on Sep 24^th, 2007, 1:43pm

Well, the smog alerts have been in the "green zone" for the last week or so and now it seems that I am CH free ;)

I was not sure that my cycle was really over so I decided to drink a few beers over the weekend and I did not get hit, so I hope it will not return until next summer (or at all) ;;D

So for now I have my fingers crossed...
[smiley=beer.gif]

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Guiseppi on Sep 24^th, 2007, 2:36pm

I use a similar test....a shot of Gentleman Jacks, on the rocks! It's heavenly when I can have my bedtime shot, go nite nite, wake up...no beast!!!!

Congrats on a happy ending. Remember, stick around during the pf times, always lots of people who can benefit from your experiences!!!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Air pollution and CH?
Post by Ctech on Sep 24^th, 2007, 5:54pm

When my cycle is over I try not to think aboout CH at all until the next cycle, but this time I am going to try and hang around and give support where I can.

Besides, It will give me something to do while I am buzzed ;;D

-Chris