Dr. Poe's Los Angeles Headache Blog

Los Alamitos, California

Monday, April 12, 2010

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posted by edanjou at 12:06 PM

Friday, February 19, 2010

How Important are x-rays

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

posted by Dr. Poe at 6:41 PM

Friday, February 5, 2010

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

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

posted by Dr. Poe at 7:16 PM

Monday, January 25, 2010

How important is sleep?

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

posted by Dr. Poe at 1:51 PM

Friday, January 15, 2010

Top Docs of Orange County

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

posted by Dr. Poe at 6:55 PM

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

"Your not the only one hurting"

"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

posted by Dr. Poe at 10:05 AM

Friday, January 8, 2010

FTI

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

posted by Dr. Poe at 6:44 PM

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