Dr. Poe's Los Angeles Headache Blog

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2010-04-12T12:06:00.001-07:00

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How Important are x-rays

2010-02-19T18:41:00.000-08:00

X-rays are an important tool in helping to find the proper diagnosis. Corrected tomograms can show years of trauma and adaptation of the condyle, as well as its relation to the cranial base. A frontal can compare the lengths of the jaw for symmetry as well as the position of the jaw as it relates to the skull. Another important x-ray is a cephlometric or lateral film. This is basically a profile picture of the jaw and skull. All of these x-rays are taken with and without an orthotic in place to compare the relationship of the jaw and the skull. I will show examples of each film in detail in future posts but for now just realize that x-rays are an important step in diagnosis and treatment.
Until next time,
Dr.Poe

"Am I Crazy or are my Headaches making me crazy?"

2010-02-05T19:16:00.000-08:00

True statement made by a new patient during our first getting to know you meeting. "Am I Crazy or are my headaches making me crazy?" Can pain cause mental illness? I will have to look into that but I do see pain being the cause of irritability, a short fuse, and down right mean.

I try to concentrate on decreasing or eliminating the discomfort and then check your mental state. Its amazing how many of my non-neuromuscular dental colleagues do not treat TMJ/TMD. Their comments are usually something like "Those patients are crazy".
I have found just the opposite, that TMJ/TMD patients, once feeling better are the best patients and become their old selves again. Or at least that is what their family and friends say. And their demeanor in the office is 100% different from their 1st visit.

Constant pain can have a debilitating effect. Just ask someone who is in pain, and if it is you, then I wish you are on your way to reducing or better yet eliminating it.

Until next time,

Dr. Poe

How important is sleep?

2010-01-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

Ruling out biological and neurological disorders or pathologies, What other outside forces can cause or add to headaches? Stress, Foods, Posture, Bite, Dehydration and Sleep to name just a few. A headache journal is an easy way to try to identify the problem. Yes even I get headaches, and this weekend was big. Main reason, Sleep and dehydration. Too many salty nuts and not enough sleep. Lets talk about sleep because its not just the amount but also quality. To top it off I have a cold, like the rest of my family, if I wasn't coughing I was tending to one of the kids. Result was no sleep or very interrupted sleep. It is no coincidence that people who suffer from SLEEP APNEA also have frequent headaches. Guess what ? A little sleep and some water to re-hydrate and I feel great. For more on sleep check out this web site. http://www.ihatecpap.com/
Until next time,
Dr. Poe

Top Docs of Orange County

2010-01-15T18:55:00.000-08:00

Look for Dr. Poe in this months Orange Coast magazine. Top Docs in Orange County.
Congratulations Dr. Poe

"Your not the only one hurting"

2010-01-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

"I know you have a headache but why are you being mean to me?" Some of our best referral sources are family members of patients who used to have headaches. I had one patient tell me after wearing an orthotic "I have been hurting for so long that I don't know if I feel any better but my family likes being around me more." Yes you do feel better, you have been suffering for so long you forgot what it feels like not to be in pain.
Ask family and friends "what was I doing before my headache" maybe they can help you remember something to add to your headache journal. Maybe everyone else sees it but you. The point being is it is OK to ask for help because the truth is that your not the only one suffering. Not only do we get referrals from family members, but we also get big thank yous.
Until next time,
Dr. Poe

FTI

2010-01-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

FTI...... Fail To Implement!!! The three deadliest words to something NEW that is out of our comfort zone. So how are those New Year Resolutions? How is the Headache Journal?
Most fail because the goal is overwhelming. So keep the big goal, but break it down into smaller achievable goals. Example: Headache journal. First, get a journal, or pad of paper and a pen or some other tool that works for you that you can write things down and review later. I know it sounds silly but getting started is usually the biggest obstacle. Then start thinking of the things that you were doing right before your headache Like foods, activities, smells, even people, You can start narrowing the list latter, it is important to get started. If you don't start seeing similarities , then you can start looking further in the past prior to the headache. Remember we are trying to rule out the easy factors first. Sometimes it can be as simple as food or perfume.
For those of you that have already started, disregard the above and great job! How's it going? Sometimes you can find something in as little as a week depending on how many headaches you are having. Keep up the good work. Any questions can always be e-mailed to me at drpoe@billpoedds.com or consult your Physician or another qualified Neuromuscular Dentist.
Until next time,
Dr. Poe

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T16:46:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year, and may this year, 2010, be the year of no more headaches.
If you haven't already, start by making a list of all the things you are doing right before you get a headache. Lets begin by ruling out obvious things like food allergies, dehydration, and lack of sleep. I had one patient last year lose 240lbs and her headaches ..... but I don't recommend a divorce for everyone. Ha Ha . lets just start looking at our lifestyle and rule out simple things first. Speaking of simple, it is very easy for a neuromuscular dentist to evaluate your bite and rule that out as a cause. So start a Headache journal, and see a neuromuscular dentist ASAP and make 2010 the best year ever. Its easy to dream big and accomplish what you dream when you don't hurt.

Happy New Year,
Dr. Poe

Headaches and Hangovers

2009-11-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

I just heard it on the radio so it must be true. "Migraine Headache sufferer's have worse hangovers". Makes sense to me but I will do a little more investigating. Either way I can't see having a migraine headache making a hangover better. And with New Year's Eve right around the corner why not celebrate no more headaches instead of making another new years resolution to get rid of them. If treated now, you can enjoy the holiday festivities this season. So see your Neuromuscular dentist today to at least rule out the possibility that your headaches are caused by your bite. Really, what have you got to lose?

Until next time, Dr. Poe

Why is the dentist the last to know?

2009-10-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

It happened again. A young woman suffering from vertigo, headaches and many other symptoms was finally referred to my office after 15 years of pain. She had been everywhere and treated with everything before someone suggested TMJ and even then she was not referred to the dentist until now. It happens all the time. Be aware, Doctors and other Health professionals treat to their knowledge. A Surgeon wants to cut, a Chiropractor wants to adjust and a MD wants to cure you with medicine. I am sorry that was harsh, but its up to you to decide who's treatment is right for you. Headaches can have many causes and sometimes eliminating something like foods from the list is just as important as finding the cause. It is very easy to examine a patient for signs of dental problems that could be causing headaches. Treatment involves a neuromuscular made orthotic. Completely noninvasive. So what do you have to lose, besides the Headache and pain. See your neuromuscular trained Dentist to eliminate your teeth and bite from your list of possible causes.

Until next time, Dr. Poe

Am I Crazy, or is My Headache making Me Crazy

2009-10-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

Headaches have been linked with psychological disorders, and sometimes that is not the proper diagnosis. When all else fails we tend to blame the unknown, the easy answer like "its just stress ", "its all in your head", "it can't be that bad", "it must be a full moon", and on and on. We all have heard this type of diagnosis from the best friend to Aunt Jenny and even from doctors. So what came first? The chicken or the egg? The Headache or the Crazy. While we cannot rule out the psychological component, years of pain can and will affect ones well being.

Many of my colleagues will not treat people with TMJ/TMD because they are "crazy"

Our experience has continually supported that when the pain is gone, so is the "crazy".
Next time you run into someone that seems a little "Crazy", stop and ask yourself, maybe they just have a headache?

Welcome to Dr. Poe's Blog

2009-10-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

Good morning Headache sufferers........ Welcome to my blog. Its time to stop hurting and start living. What causes headaches? The list is long and can be different for each individual. Check www.IHateHeadaches.org for more info on causes, you may be surprised that something you never would associate with headaches is a cause. Like your teeth, specifically the way your teeth come together or bite. Your bite can be easily corrected and make a big difference in your overall health and well being. So don't forget to check your bite as a possibility of what is causing your headaches, and not just blame the kids or your mother-in-law.
More on this next time, Dr. Poe

Welcome!

2009-09-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Los Angeles neuromuscular dentistry blog for Dr. William C. Poe V. Please check back for additional posts.