Easy Home Remedies for Headaches

About Headaches

A headache is the mild, moderate or severe pain that occurs in the head or neck. The most prominent reason of headache is stress or tension. Generally people who have overload amount of work or maybe some sort of work related fear suffer from headaches. The problem is not influenced by age factor and even children have the problem of headaches. Read on to know about the types, causes, symptoms and remedies for headache.

Types of Headaches

The most common types of headaches are primary headaches, secondary headaches and facial pains. Following are the types-

Primary headache

It can go away either in 2 days or might continue for a long time. Primary headache that stays for a longer span of time, it is known as migraine. The most common types of primary headaches are-

• Tension Headaches – It is the most common type of primary headache and is caused by tension or stress, as the name suggests.

• Migraine Headaches – Migraine Headache can be seen in adults and children as well. Though it is mostly seen in women, yet before puberty, both boys and girls are prone to it equally.

• Cluster Headaches – Cluster Headaches are most commonly seen in men who belong to the age group of 20 and above. This is the rarest type of cluster headache.

Secondary Headaches

Secondary headaches are caused by the structural problem in the head or neck and can develop from a prolonged pain or brain infections. Facial pain is caused by the inflammation in any of the 12 nerves supplying sensations to the neck and head.

Other Types of Headaches

Apart from primary and secondary type of headaches, Cranial neuralgia is another type which is a pain in either of the nerves that provides sensation to neck and head. It might also lead to facial pain.

Causes and Symptoms of Headaches

Tension Headaches

The Causes are –

• Stress
• Depression
• Allergies due to food

Sitting for long hours in an awkward position

The symptoms are-

• Intense pressure just above the eyebrows
• A pain in head and at the back of head
• Vomiting

Cluster Headaches

The Causes are-

• Changes in sleep pattern
• Overuse of certain medicines
• Excessive intake of smoked meat and chocolates
• Genetics and smoking

The Symptoms are-

• The headache lasts for just 30 to 90 minutes
• Occurs twice a day roughly at the same time every day
• Severe pain around the eye area
• Running nose on the painful side of head

Visit a Doctor

Medical help is must if you are suffering from severe headaches in order to diagnose the exact reasons. You must consult a physician if you feel sudden pain in head when you cough or sneeze or if your headaches are accompanied by fever, body pain or weakness and vomiting.

Home Remedies to Prevent Headache

Lie Down

The first tip is to lie down and close your eyes when you feel early signs of headache. Lie down for at least an hour but if this pain is due to migraine, then you must sleep.

Wear glasses

Wear tinted glasses in front of computer because in many cases, headache is usually triggered by bright lights. Preferably suit yourself to a darker room and wear sunglasses when you go out in sun.

Cold Compression

When you see early headache signs, dip a towel in ice cold water and put it over your forehead and eyes. Keep doing this for at least 20 minutes. This technique is known as cold compress.

Hot Compression

Well, if you think cold compress is ineffective and is not working, try the same with a towel dipped in hot water and repeat the process for about half an hour. This technique is known as hot compress and since it expands the blood vessels, it improves blood circulation and thereby treats headache.

Avoid Stress and Relax

One of the major reasons for headaches is stress. Avoid things which you dislike and tend not to over think about a situation that you are not happy about or else it might trigger tension. Whenever you find yourself in anger or stress, take deep breaths and try to relax.

Quit Smoking and alcohol

Smoking and alcohol consumption are two other reasons for headaches. The chemicals in cigarette and tyramine present in alcohol triggers headache. Avoid them to avoid headache.

Reduce caffeine consumption

If you are addicted to coffee and are suffering from headaches, that is it. Too much caffeine intake causes headache and coffee contains quite a high amount of caffeine. It also leads to insomnia in some people which further results in headaches. Reduction in caffeine intake will definitely reduce your headaches.

Accupressure Points

When you have a pain in your head, press the skin between your thumb and forefinger as these are the acupressure points to resolve headaches.

Hot Bath

Soaking feet in hot water for 20 minutes will increase the flow of blood to the feet which will reduce the pressure on the blood vessels of head and thus relieving you of headache.

Massage with oils

Massage your forehead with lavender oil or peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil and lie down in a dark room to get rid of headache.

Ginger Tea

Studies have shown that consumption of ginger tea removes headaches as it possesses anti- inflammatory properties.

Drink Water

During the early signs of headache, drink water because dehydration might be the cause for sudden headaches.

Eat at Regular Intervals

Since decrease in blood sugar level also causes headache, one must eat food at regular intervals to maintain the sugar level.

Exercise

Regular exercising for 30 minutes also helps to relieve the pain. You might resort to walking, swimming or maybe cycling.

Maintain the routine

Have a fixed schedule of waking up and sleeping and avoid oversleeping on weekends or else your body rhythm will get disturbed, triggering headache.

Head Massage

Get yourself a head and back massage as it will reduce your stress and improve blood circulation.

Magnesium Intake

As per studies, magnesium rich food like beans, broccoli, spinach, nuts, and soy milk have the capacity to reduce headaches. You might also go for magnesium capsules.

Get your eye checkups done

Headaches are also caused by eye problems. Get your eye checkups done to diagnose any such problem causing headaches.

Lemon

A kitchen remedy to treat headache is to either consume lemon or to apply lemon paste on the forehead.

Foods that triggers

Your headache might be because of the food that you eat. Keep a record of the food that you ate whenever your headache starts. Generally food containing high sodium, cholesterol, added flavors and sugars, caffeine, chocolates etc.