Headache affects everyone from time to time. Sometimes it is mild, at others it almost feels like the head is about to burst, so it's impossible to do anything else. Treatments vary depending on the specific cause. This article will give you tips to help you feel better right away, but also some long-term solutions to combat the pain before it becomes uncontrollable and difficult to manage.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Stop the Pain
Step 1. Determine the type of headache that ails you
There are different types: tension, stress, chronic and many others. Being able to recognize it can help you find the most suitable remedy to cure you.
Step 2. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Most pain relievers take about 1-2 hours to take effect, so take them as soon as you start to feel a hint of pain. Treating it before it occurs is always better than trying to fight the actual headache. Has it started already and is it unbearable? Immediately taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, aspirin or using a capsaicin nasal spray can give you relief.
- Try not to take these medicines every day unless advised by your doctor. The daily use of analgesics (even over-the-counter ones) can be associated with drug abuse headaches: it occurs when a person takes medicines even when he does not actually need them because he fears future headaches. This misuse can instead cause rebound headaches, which are frequent and recurring.
- If you usually take headache medications more than 3 times a week, see your doctor. The more drugs that are taken to treat it, the more the patient becomes tolerant to the active ingredients. This can result in side effects such as a lowering of the pain threshold and an increase in the frequency with which rebound headaches occur.
- Treatment for rebound headaches is to reduce or stop taking pain relievers. Talk to your doctor about how to effectively orient yourself with the use of pain relievers.
Step 3. Know when to go to the emergency room immediately
If the headache is accompanied by other symptoms, it can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a heart attack, encephalitis, or meningitis. Go to the emergency room right away in the following cases:
- Difficulty seeing, walking or speaking
- Stiffening of the neck;
- Nausea and / or vomiting;
- High fever (39-40 ° C).
- Fainting
- Difficulty using one side of the body
- Feeling of great weakness, numbness, or paralysis
- Also see your doctor if you have frequent or severe headaches, when medicines don't work or your body doesn't seem to work normally.
Step 4. Take caffeine carefully:
it can be a double-edged sword. This substance (which is also included in some pain relievers) initially helps relieve headaches, but over time it can also cause others by developing or worsening a caffeine addiction. During headaches, the level of adenosine in the bloodstream increases, so caffeine intervenes by blocking the receptors of this nucleoside.
- Limit your caffeine treatment to no more than twice a week. By taking it more often, the body can become addicted, especially among migraine sufferers. If a person who consumes a lot of caffeine (more than 200 mg per day, about 2 cups of coffee) suddenly eliminates it from their diet, headache is a common side effect. This happens because the daily intake dilates the blood vessels of the brain. When you stop taking it, they contract, causing a headache. If you consume too much and think it contributes to the problem, find out how to gradually and effectively overcome withdrawal.
- If you have frequent headaches, it's best to avoid them whenever you can.
Step 5. Drink lots of water
Dehydration can cause headaches, especially after vomiting or a hangover. As soon as your head starts to ache, drink a full glass of water. Then, try to sip it often throughout the day. The pain may begin to gradually subside.
- If you are a man, drink at least 13 glasses (3 liters) of water per day. If you are a woman, consume at least 9 (2, 2 liters). People who exercise frequently, live in a hot or humid environment, have a sickness that causes vomiting / diarrhea, or are breastfeeding, should drink more. Your weight also helps calculate your daily water requirement: you should try to drink 15-30ml of water for every pound.
- If your head hurts, don't drink water that is too cold or ice cold. In some cases it can trigger a migraine, especially among those who are already predisposed to suffer from it. Room temperature water is preferable.
Step 6. Take a break in a quiet, dark place
If you can, try to lie down and rest for at least 30 minutes. Close the blinds, turn off the lights and focus on your breathing. Reducing sensory stimuli can make you relax and promote healing.
- Ask for peace and absolute silence from those around you. If you are forced to rest in the presence of other people, explain that your head hurts, ask them to be quiet and not to bother you. Asking for some cooperation in advance can help you avoid being abruptly interrupted later. If you want, sleep for a few hours or take a short nap.
- Make sure the bed or sofa is comfortable and your head is well supported, in a position that doesn't strain your neck. If one side of your neck is stretched out and the other is bent uncomfortably, adjust your posture so that both the head and cervix are adequately supported.
- Adjust the lighting. Avoid bright, artificial lights, as they can make headaches worse, even among the blind. You can also wear a face mask to block out the light.
- Adjust the room temperature. Some are only able to relax in a cool environment, while others prefer heavy blankets or the heat on. Try to create the conditions that are right for you before going to sleep at night.
Step 7. Practice progressive muscle relaxation
This method can help relieve headaches. Other relaxation exercises, such as yoga or meditation, may also be helpful.
- Lie down in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
- Starting from the forehead, contract all the muscles belonging to the same group for 5 seconds.
- Relax your muscles and focus on this feeling of muscle relaxation.
- Move on to the next muscle group. Muscle groups to contract and relax include the following: forehead, eyes and nose, lips-cheeks-jaw, arms, shoulders, back, belly, hips and buttocks, thighs, feet and fingers.
Step 8. Use a cold compress
Placing something soft and cool on the forehead and eyes can help narrow blood vessels. This will reduce inflammation and may relieve headaches. This is especially effective if the pain is concentrated in the temples or sinuses.
- Dampen a small towel in cool water and place it on your forehead. As soon as it starts to heat up and annoy you, cool it down.
- You can try this method in another way as well. Place a small towel in an airtight plastic bag and leave it in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove it and place it on your forehead: the tablet will last longer. The towel will be particularly cold, but the bag will prevent ice and water from coming into contact with your skin.
- If the headache is due to tension, for example caused by stress, anxiety or muscle cramps, a warm shower or compress can help relieve it more effectively than a cold one.
Step 9. Massage your face and scalp
If you suffer from tension headaches, this method is particularly useful for improving circulation and relieving tension and pain. These headaches are caused by several factors: poor posture, bruxism, muscle fatigue, and so on. Anxiety and depression can also trigger them.
- Place your thumbs on your temples (the soft spot between the top of the ear and the corner of the eye). Keeping them in this position, apply very firm pressure, then move your fingers creating small circles from the temple to the center of the forehead.
- Gently massaging the bridge of the nose can help relieve sinus headaches and migraines.
- Massage your scalp. While taking a hot shower and applying shampoo, treat yourself to a long scalp massage. If you prefer a drier version, pour some coconut or argan oil on your fingers and massage it into your scalp.
Step 10. Massage the neck and shoulders
Tension in these areas can cause headaches. Stress headache is one of the most common, but it is also one of the easiest to treat.
- To begin the massage, sit down and place your hands on your shoulders, with your fingers pointing towards your shoulder blades.
- Exhale and relax your neck by dropping your head back. Press your fingers to put good pressure on the shoulder muscles. Move them in small, deep circles towards the base of the skull.
- Interlace your fingers behind your head. Let your head fall forward and let the weight of your arms gently stretch the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
- Take two tennis or racquetball balls and put them in a sock. Lie on a flat surface, place them under the base of the skull and relax. You may feel some sinus pressure or mild discomfort at first, but it will pass. This method is particularly useful for sinus headaches.
Step 11. Do some neck exercises
Stretching and strengthening your neck muscles can help relieve chronic headaches, but they can also come in handy in the very moments when you have a headache. Here is a series of simple movements to stretch the neck muscles:
- Slowly bring your chin to your chest without moving your shoulders. You should feel some stretch in the back of your neck. Return your head to an upright position.
- Slowly turn your head to the side. Hold the position for 15-30 seconds. Bring it back to the starting position and repeat looking in the other direction. Return to the starting position.
- Slowly lower your head so that your ear approaches your shoulder (but don't raise it). Hold the position for 15-30 seconds. Raise your head back to an upright position, then lower your other ear towards your shoulder and stay in this position for 15-30 seconds.
- You shouldn't feel pain when you stretch. If necessary, repeat these exercises.
Step 12. Use acupressure techniques
They can help relieve tension and headaches, especially if caused by muscle strain or stress. Stimulating the right points on the neck, shoulders and hands can relieve pain.
- Locate the mastoid just behind the ear and follow the natural groove of the neck to the point where the muscles connect to the skull. Apply very firm pressure for 4-5 seconds while breathing deeply.
- Find the point halfway between the neck and the tip of the shoulder. Using the opposite hand (the right hand for the left shoulder and the left hand for the right shoulder), pinch the muscle by holding it between the thumb and the other fingers. Use your index finger to apply firm downward pressure for 4-5 seconds.
- Massage the soft part of your hand between your index finger and thumb. Apply firm, circular pressure for 4-5 seconds. However, you should avoid it in pregnancy as it may induce labor.
- You can also put ping pong balls in a sock and lean back in a chair or car seat. Place them between the back and the back to activate the pressure points.
Step 13. Practice relaxation techniques
People around the world use a variety of methods to distract themselves from pain. If you have a bad headache, don't worry - you don't have to focus on learning something new, use what comes naturally to you. Here are some popular ideas:
- Meditation
- Prayer
- Deep breathing
- Visualization
- Listen to binaural sounds
- Just try to calm down. If you can fall asleep, that might help too.
Step 14. Do some breathing exercises
Sometimes it is enough to breathe to feel better. It will seem obvious, in fact it is a natural action, but it may be necessary to focus on relaxation and deep breathing. Deep, regular breaths can release tension, relax, and relieve headaches within minutes.
- Look for a cool, dark, and quiet place.
- Make yourself comfortable: Lie down or sit in a comfortable position. Remove or unfasten tight clothing.
- Breathe in slowly through your nose. As your lungs fill with air, you should feel your abdomen expand. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds, then gradually exhale through your mouth until your lungs are empty.
Part 2 of 4: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Use natural remedies with caution
There are several to treat headaches. As with any natural method, you must always be aware of the side effects and possible allergies it causes. You also need to know when it should not be used (for example in pregnancy, in the case of certain diseases, and so on). Remember that these remedies are often not backed by scientific research or approved by industry authorities.
Step 2. Try herbal remedies
Look for herbal supplements containing certain amounts of active ingredients per serving. There are several herbal methods that are considered useful for getting rid of headaches. But remember that scientific evidence and studies on the effectiveness of many supplements have varying results. As with any treatment, use it with caution. Stop immediately if you experience any unpleasant side effects.
- Butterbur. According to some studies, it can reduce the frequency with which migraines occur. Take 2 capsules of 25 mg every day for 12 weeks to reduce the occurrence of migraines by up to 60%. Do not consume the plant directly, as it contains toxic substances that are eliminated during the capsule preparation process.
- Ginger. In addition to treating headaches, it can relieve nausea and vomiting, common side effects of more severe headaches. During a study, the American Academy of Neurology noted that concentrated ginger supplements were shown to be more effective in reducing pain than placebos.
- Coriander. The seeds can be used to decrease the inflammation that causes headaches. They can be chewed, used for cooking or herbal tea, taken orally in the form of an extract.
- Feverfew. It can be taken in capsule, tablet or herbal tea form, but you can also put it in a sandwich (just remember that it tastes bitter). Evidence of its effectiveness is varied, but it has been around for centuries, so trying doesn't hurt. It does not cause serious side effects, although you may experience tongue pain, mouth ulcers, nausea, digestive problems, and swelling. Stopping taking it after prolonged use can disturb sleep and even cause headaches.
- Willow. It is found in 300mg tablets and can reduce the frequency of migraines when taken twice a day.
- Herbal tea. A cup of passion flower, rosemary, or lavender herbal tea can relieve headaches. A peppermint tea or chamomile tea can help you relax.
Step 3. Use aromatherapy.
There are several aromatherapy preparations, but some of the essential oils most used to treat headaches include lavender, sweet marjoram, and chamomile. Inhale them, or use them to massage your neck or prepare a bath.
To relieve aches and pains, mix 5 drops of rosemary essential oil, 5 drops of nutmeg essential oil, and 5 drops of lavender essential oil with a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil. Massage it into your neck and upper back
Step 4. Use food remedies
Fasting can cause headaches, so make sure you eat regularly. There are also foods and drinks that can trigger pain (red wine, foods containing MSG, and chocolate are some of the biggest culprits). Be careful what you eat and avoid foods that tend to give you headaches. Instead, eating certain foods can help you treat pain.
- Eat almonds. They contain magnesium, which helps dilate blood vessels and relieve headaches. Other foods that are rich in it include bananas, cashews, and avocados.
- Eat spicy foods. The effectiveness of these foods for treating headaches is subjective and depends on the cause of the headache. However, if you have a sinus headache, spicy foods can help ease congestion and make you breathe better, which can reduce pain.
- Try the spinach. They are rich in nutrients that can offer many benefits to the body. They can help lower blood pressure and relieve hangover headaches. Use fresh lettuce to substitute for lettuce in salads or sandwiches.
- Drink a cup of a caffeinated beverage. This substance constricts blood vessels, so it can decrease pain. Overdoing it can cause migraines in some people, so instead of coffee, you can try tea, which usually has less.
Part 3 of 4: Preventing Headaches by Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Try to get enough sleep
Proper sleep hygiene, i.e. rest in a qualitative way, can make you feel better in general and reduce the appearance of headaches. Adults should sleep at least 7-8 hours per night. If you have trouble falling asleep, try some of the following techniques:
- Limit the time you spend in front of the television or computer before going to sleep.
- Use the bed only for sleeping and for intimate moments.
- Limit your caffeine intake in the late afternoon and evening.
- Start dimming the lights and take some time to relax before getting ready for sleep.
Step 2. Limit your exposure to fragrances
Perfumes and products that contain fragrances, such as soaps and lotions, certainly have a pleasant smell, but they could cause bad headaches. Try replacing them with unscented products and invite people you spend a lot of time with to do the same. Also, remove or detach air fresheners in your home and where you work.
Step 3. Change your diet
It won't have an immediate effect on headaches, but changing your long-term eating habits can eliminate this possible cause of headaches in the future. If you don't know where to start, consult your doctor, dietician, or nutritionist.
- Find out if you have allergies to particular foods and eliminate them from your diet.
- Reduce your caffeine intake. Giving up this substance can cause headaches. Ironically, abstinence will likely cause a temporary headache, but once it's over, you'll notice a positive difference.
- Try to avoid or limit foods that can trigger headaches, especially those containing monosodium glutamate, nitrites and nitrates (found in cured meats), tyramine (aged cheese, wine, beer, and processed meats), sulphites (dried fruit, condiments and wine) and salicylates (tea, vinegar and some types of fruit).
Step 4. Treat musculoskeletal problems
If your back or neck is misaligned, you have poor posture or you suffer from muscle tension, it is important to remedy this cause of the pain. You can try to correct these disorders with exercises such as stretching, yoga, or Pilates, but it is usually also important to consult a specialist, such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor, to evaluate and treat the condition.
Step 5. Do yoga
Yoga aimed at reducing tension can eliminate or ease headaches and prevent them from coming back. Simply twisting the neck or doing relaxation exercises is ideal.
Step 6. Create an ergonomic workplace
The way you sit in front of your desk and use your computer could affect your headache. Make sure everything is at the right height and distance for your body.
- At work, make sure you keep your neck in a neutral position. It often happens that the neck gets hunched or misaligned when using computers and other electronic devices. If your neck is usually bent forward, move your PC so that you can look straight ahead as you work.
- Take regular breaks from sedentary work and computer use. Once an hour, exercise your eyes looking at different distances for a few minutes and do simple stretching exercises.
Step 7. Consult with several specialists
Many health ailments can cause headaches, so if it continues to be a problem, reaching out to various doctors to address the factors that trigger it can help reduce it.
- Go to the dentist. If you grind your teeth, suffer from malocclusion, have cavities, abscesses or infections following tooth extraction, this may be the cause of the headache.
- Go to the eye doctor. If you need glasses but don't use them, eye strain could cause unnecessary headaches.
- Go to the EN. If you have infections, perforations, or other problems with your ears, nose, and throat that haven't been treated, they could be the cause of your headaches.
Step 8. Calm down
If you are angry, irritable, frustrated and have other problems of this type, every day you risk building up muscle tension that can become unmanageable and cause headaches. Anxiety, stress and depression can also be responsible. Talk to a therapist or psychologist to learn how to properly manage your emotions if they are negatively affecting your approach to daily life.
- If you suffer from bruxism or grind your teeth, make an effort to relax your face. Try yawning to reduce tension.
- Practice relaxation exercises before stressful events, such as exams, marriage, driving tests, and so on.
Step 9. Keep a diary dedicated to headaches
It will help you identify the patterns that repeat themselves in these moments, for example you can observe that headaches arise after a particularly stressful period at work, communication problems, the consumption of certain foods, the onset of menstruation and so on. Once you understand what causes them, you can learn how to prevent them and prevent them from developing.
If you have frequent headaches, this information can be very helpful for your doctor as well. Take the diary with you to appointments
Step 10. Stop smoking:
can aggravate headaches. Cigarette smoke contains substances known to cause headaches, such as carbon monoxide. It also contains nicotine, which constricts blood vessels, causing pain, and prevents the liver from absorbing painkillers. Quitting can help you have fewer headaches, especially if they are clustered, i.e. the attacks follow each other in a cyclical and intense manner during certain time intervals. According to some studies, people who stop using tobacco halve the frequency of headaches.
Headaches can also be caused by exposure to secondhand smoke, especially if you are allergic or sensitive. If you don't smoke, but you often go to places where you expose yourself to these substances, you risk having headaches
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Pain Based on Headache Type
Step 1. Identify your specific headache
Most are tense or due to certain habits. This type is not harmful, even if it is painful and can prevent you from completing your commitments. If you have frequent, severe headaches that do not respond to pain relievers or are accompanied by other symptoms, see your doctor or specialist to investigate the problem immediately and make an accurate diagnosis. There is a wide variety of possible causes, so that's why it's so important to try more targeted treatments if you can't find a solution.
Step 2. Prevent tension headaches by reducing stress
Tension headaches are the most common. They are usually not as painful as others, but they can last for hours or even days. They tend to form as a result of a muscle contraction, which generally causes a feeling of tension or pressure felt behind the eyes and across the forehead. If the cause is not addressed, it can be a dull, recurring pain. In addition, it can be accompanied by a feeling of general malaise, especially if the person who suffers from it suffers from anxiety or depression. This type of headache tends to respond well to pain relievers, rest, and relieving the source of stress.
- Massage, acupuncture, yoga, and relaxation techniques are helpful methods for preventing tension headaches.
- Psychotherapy, which serves to process anxiety and stress with a specialist, can also help prevent and reduce tension headaches.
Step 3. Prevent migraines with physical activity
This type of headache can be associated with genetic factors, although research has not yielded exact results on the source. Migraines cause throbbing pain accompanied by severe nausea and possible vomiting. There are also visual disturbances defined by the word "aura", which consists of seeing bright spots or flickering objects and can cause partial loss of vision. Some migraines also cause numbness or weakness. They are due to food allergic reactions, stressors, hormonal changes, accidents, medicines or other unknown variables. They require special medical attention. If you have them frequently, see a doctor.
- Regular exercise, especially aerobic, can help avoid migraines by reducing tension. Obesity can also cause them, so exercising can prevent them by allowing you to keep fit or achieve a healthy weight.
- Before exercising, warm up gradually. Sudden or intense exertion without a gradual warm-up can cause migraines. For particularly sensitive individuals, intense sexual activity can also be a risk factor.
- Migraines can also be relieved by consuming more water and a balanced diet.
Step 4. Deal with cluster headaches by avoiding alcohol and nicotine
Researchers don't know exactly what causes it, so it's impossible to prevent the onset of a cluster headache. It is among the most painful, with intense discomfort in the eye area (usually on one side of the head). It can also involve droopy eyelids, nasal discharge, and watery eyes. If this is your case, take it seriously: consult a doctor for advice and prescribe a treatment. There are a number of medicines and therapies that can relieve symptoms.
- Avoiding alcohol and nicotine can help reduce the risk of future cluster headaches, although this change may have no effect on the pain itself when it occurs.
- Oxygen therapy, which consists of inhaling oxygen through a mask, has been shown to be particularly effective for cluster headaches.
- According to some studies, taking 10 mg of melatonin before bedtime can reduce the frequency with which cluster headaches occur. This method is potentially effective because headaches can occur when the sleep cycle is disturbed.
Step 5. Prevent medication-related headaches by keeping painkillers under control
This disorder, also called rebound headache, results from withdrawal symptoms due to prolonged use of analgesics (usually for tension headaches). It is a treatable condition. In most cases, stopping painkillers is enough to eliminate the problem within a few days. Symptoms of this disorder often resemble those of tension headaches.
- Avoid taking headache pain relievers, including over-the-counter pain relievers, for more than 2-3 days a week. If your symptoms are severe enough to require more frequent intake, see a doctor.
- Don't take over-the-counter pain relievers for more than 15 days a month.
- Avoid pain relievers containing opioids (codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, etc.) or butalbital.
Step 6. Prevent hangover headaches by drinking water
These headaches are quite common and can greatly affect productivity at work, as people who suffer from them take sick days or do their jobs poorly. For example, in the United States, an annual loss of approximately $ 148 billion is estimated for this very reason. Symptoms include throbbing pain, nausea, and generalized malaise. The only guaranteed way to prevent them is to not drink alcohol, but keeping hydrated by consuming plenty of water can help avoid the pain of a hangover headache the next day.
- In general, try to drink water (or other non-alcoholic, caffeine-free drinks) that is 4 times the amount of alcohol. Since many cocktails contain 30-60ml of liqueur, you should make sure that you drink a large, completely full glass of water for each alcoholic beverage consumed.
- Other liquids, including sports drinks or even broth, can be just as helpful. Avoid alcohol (of course) and caffeinated drinks - these substances can dehydrate you.
Step 7. Prevent allergy or food-related headaches by finding out which foods to avoid
Allergies and intolerances can cause nasty headaches often accompanied by nasal discharge, watery eyes, an itchy or burning sensation. Some allergies, such as pollen allergies, are seasonal and treatable with antihistamines. You may also be allergic or intolerant to certain foods that trigger pain. If you suffer from frequent headaches with symptoms such as itching or watery eyes, it is a good idea to have a skin allergy test from a specialist. These tests expose you (safely) to a variety of allergens and can help you understand if your headaches are caused by certain factors you are exposing yourself to.
- Monosodium glutamate can sometimes cause headaches. A person intolerant to this substance may also experience facial pressure, chest pain, burning sensation in the trunk, neck and shoulder area, throbbing head pain. Nitrites and nitrates from meat can cause moderate to severe headaches.
- If you eat ice cream or drink a cold drink too quickly, you risk an ice cream headache, or "frozen brain"; it is annoying, but it passes quickly.
Step 8. Prevent other headaches by changing your habits
Sometimes they are caused by eye strain, hunger, muscle tension affecting the neck and back, or even certain hairstyles (such as a tight ponytail or wearing a headband that puts some pressure behind the ears). These headaches generally have tension-like symptoms. Making small changes to your habits, such as organizing an ergonomic workstation or avoiding bundling your hair in tight tails or buns, can help prevent them.
- Eating regular meals can also help prevent these headaches. If you don't eat regularly, your blood glucose drops, so this can cause instant headaches and nausea. Also, avoiding processed foods can help reduce the problem and make you feel better overall.
- Make sure you go to bed and wake up around the same time. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
Advice
- If you have your hair pulled back into a ponytail or braid, undo it.
- Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables with a towel and apply it to the affected area (forehead, neck, etc.). The skin should not come into direct contact with cold substances.
- Don't be afraid to isolate yourself to rest. Surrounding yourself with people and trying to be in a good mood despite the headache can make it worse. You will be of better company after resting.
- If you need glasses, be sure to put them on for reading and doing tasks that require precision. Avoiding using them can cause headaches.
- Avoid making a cold compress exclusively with ice cubes - the edges can cut into the skin and cause pain. Use a compress that remains soft and flexible, even when frozen.
- Try to consider your lifestyle as a whole to understand where you can reduce the causes of stress, which causes tension and headaches. Identifying the factors responsible for the problem, including food, bright lights, alcohol, exercise, stress, life changes, sleep problems, overexertion, and so on, allows you to acquire coping strategies. This reduces the chances of having headaches or experiencing other symptoms related to stress and tension.
- For some, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can cause headaches. If you have found that working in these conditions is harmful, try replacing them with incandescent or LED lamps.
- Getting regular sleep is important to prevent recurring headaches.
- If you have a tension headache, avoid computer and television screens. Do not read books or handwritten papers, especially if the characters are small.
- Almonds are a natural alternative to pain relievers. Eat only 10-12 and you should feel better within minutes.
- If you have tried to rest, have taken pain relievers and have slept, but without success, have a light meal accompanied by orange juice. It can take your mind off the pain and help you get rid of the headache.
- If you are near an electronic device and cannot turn it off, dim the screen or close it. If you don't need to keep it on, unplug it. Do the same with any gadgets you have within 3 meters.
- When you take a nap, sleep for at least 20 minutes.
- Try closing your eyes, inhale and exhale deeply.
- Most headaches are caused by dehydration. As a result, as soon as you start to feel sick, drink some water, as it helps you replenish fluids.
- Place a cold paper towel on the part of your head that hurts.
- Get enough rest. Napping can ease headaches. Make sure you find a quiet place.
- Drink cool water to ease the pain.
- Get a head massage.
- If your child has a headache, give him ibuprofen (in any case, ask your pediatrician for advice first) and ask him to lie down for 5-10 minutes.
- Try lying down in a dark, quiet place. Focus on your breathing.
- Gently pull the hair that is exactly on the ear, but you can also do this on other parts of the head. It can help you relieve headaches.
- Drink some herbal tea. It's good for you and usually doesn't have any side effects. If that doesn't work, try a drink containing electrolytes, such as Gatorade or Powerade.
- Try to distract yourself by doing quiet activities.
- Try taking a nap.
- Eat something: maybe the headache was caused by hunger.
- Water is very helpful in relieving headaches. When you feel it coming, drink at least 2-5 glasses.
- Try not to stare at a bright screen, such as a cell phone screen, for long. It can cause a headache or make it worse.
- Use collinsonia root - it can relieve headaches.
- If you have a headache every day, talk to your doctor to get a prescription for effective treatment.
Warnings
- Tumors can cause headaches, although they are obviously not the only cause. Usually these pains are accompanied by other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in the limbs, trouble spelling words, visual disturbances, seizures, personality changes, poor balance or difficulty walking. If you notice them, seek immediate medical attention.
- Use common sense when considering a homemade method. If you think it may do you more harm than good, do not use it without first consulting a doctor. If treatment makes the headache worse or you have other symptoms, stop and visit.
- Some medicines, such as the contraceptive pill and antidepressants, can cause headaches. If you take them regularly and have this disorder, talk to your doctor. It can be a side effect or an indication of another problem.
- If you are the victim of an accident that causes a head injury, you risk getting headaches. Since it can also be accompanied by concussion, head fractures, internal bleeding, and so on, you need to go to the emergency room immediately.
- Post-traumatic headaches can develop following an accident or trauma. They can be extremely difficult to treat and require the intervention of a psychologist or psychiatrist. It can take a long time to heal from these headaches.
- An aneurysm can cause a thunderclap headache, with sudden, intense pain often accompanied by a stiff neck, double vision, and loss of consciousness. You need to go to the emergency room urgently in this case. The main treatments are a surgical operation and a stabilization of blood pressure.
- Be wary of using over-the-counter medications. If used incorrectly, these drugs can also be dangerous. Take them all according to the dosage indicated on the package insert and never exceed the recommended dose.
- If you have an ulcer, gastrointestinal problems, indigestion or asthma, avoid taking NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen.
