Dr. Kelvas earned her medical degree from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. She began residency training in Emergency Medicine at a level 1 trauma center, but switched to Family Medicine with a desire to return to what her father emphasized so intensely, the art and heart of medicine; "[he] taught me that having a relationship with your patient is the most important, that’s what life is about."
She strongly believes that healthcare needs to change to benefit the patient and has traveled, lived, and volunteered medically in over 40 countries, equipping her to offer culturally competent care to all ethnic backgrounds. She has led multiple medical volunteer trips internationally and embarked on the World Race before medical school and works part-time for an anti-sex trafficking agency. She has also participated in additional training in healthcare related to LGBTQI needs and gladly accepts patients from any walk of life. In the future, she wishes to offer counseling and therapy to her patients. In her free time, Dr. Kelvas practices yoga, mindfulness meditation, and travels. She owns a medical writing company and is currently writing a book on PTSD in healthcare providers.
She strongly believes that healthcare needs to change to benefit the patient and has traveled, lived, and volunteered medically in over 40 countries, equipping her to offer culturally competent care to all ethnic backgrounds. She has led multiple medical volunteer trips internationally and embarked on the World Race before medical school and works part-time for an anti-sex trafficking agency. She has also participated in additional training in healthcare related to LGBTQI needs and gladly accepts patients from any walk of life. In the future, she wishes to offer counseling and therapy to her patients. In her free time, Dr. Kelvas practices yoga, mindfulness meditation, and travels. She owns a medical writing company and is currently writing a book on PTSD in healthcare providers.
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Most common cause of daily head aches:
- Sinus pressure from allergies. Talk to your doctor about starting allergy medication, or about getting a blood test to identify your air borne triggers. If your immune system is constantly fighting respiratory pathogens, you’ll always be in a state of inflammation. This increases the amount of fluid and pressure in your sinuses.
- Caffeine. Contrary to popular belief, caffeine is not recommended to treat head aches. It’s the most consumed “drug” in the world. Our bodies develop a tolerance to this, and when we withdraw, can cause painful headaches. I advise most patients to not exceed 1 cup a day, preferably in the morning, and not to consume it through out the day. It can take up to 2 weeks to reset and feel any improvement.
- High blood pressure. This will cause those “pounding” head aches. If your blood pressure is consistently over 130/90, talk with your doctor about seeking treatment. Long standing high blood pressure naturally wears out the pump (your heart), and puts you at great risk for heart attack/failure and stroke. Pressure lowering medications can be much more effective.
- Food sensitivities. It’s no secret that a majority of the food we consume isn’t healthy, let alone real. Gluten, dairy, sulfites (especially in red wine) can trigger head aches. Talk to your doctor about getting a blood test for food sensitivities. Crashing from sugar highs can also cause head aches.
- Lack of sleep. Genetics determine how much sleep we each need; some require 10, others may only need six. Whatever the amount, our brains absolutely require rest. While we sleep, glial cells clean up the debris created by our neurons.
While there exist a myriad of other causes, these are the most common and easily fixed with a few simple behavioral changes.
–Danielle Kelvas, MD
