One of the biggest violations of our livelihood is getting a headache. Everyone gets headaches from time to time for a variety of reasons, as the brain stresses or distorts.
It can be, and hopefully is just a minor annoyance, while it can become a skull crushing distraction, which can obviously lead to serious consequences.
Treatment to relieve these headaches can vary, depending on the type and degree of headache that's experienced.
Most are just a minor nuisance, so there are some quick and natural feel better soon strategies, along with some long-term solutions for prevention, before it becomes chronic.
9. Massage Neck And Shoulders
If there's physical tension in your neck and shoulders, what that can lead to are headaches. Tension headaches are the most common, and are treatable.
Begin by massaging your neck and shoulder blades. Make sure you breath deeply, while relaxing your neck, allowing your head to tilt backwards.
There's nothing more soothing to relieve headache tension, as you'll begin to feel the pain start to dissipate from a soothing massage.
These types of massages are especially helpful for sinus based headaches.
8. Massage Scalp And Face
Another relief for tension headaches, is massaging the scalp and face area which can help in improving circulation while relieving tension, that helps reduce the pain of a headache.
Tension headaches are caused from jaw clenching, poor posture, or strained muscles. Other causes are intense stress, anxiety, and depression.
Begin by placing your thumbs on your temple and apply firm pressure, while moving your fingers in a small circular motion.
Massage the centre of your forehead, or the bridge of your nose to relieve sinus or migraine headaches.
7. Use Cool Compression Pads
What placing something that's cool and soft on your forehead, and over your eyes can do is help the blood vessels constrict, which reduces the pain of headaches.
This is especially helpful if the pain is in the temple or sinus area. A wet washcloth works well, as the cool water refreshes.
Place a wet washcloth in a waterproof resealable plastic bag, and place it into the freezer for up to 30 minutes.
If you have a tension headache, the one's that are caused by stress or anxiety, a warm compress may help to relieve the pain more than a cold compress.
6. Practice Muscle Relaxation
What applying progressive muscle relaxation can do, is help ease headache pain. Other ways to relax, such as yoga or meditation can also help.
For muscle relaxation, lie down comfortably, close your eyes and then begin to breathe deeply.
Starting from your head and neck, tense all of the muscles for five seconds, and then relax the muscles, focusing on the release.
Move on to the next group of muscles such as the shoulders and arms, then repeat. Work all the way down your body in specific muscle groups.
5. Take A Nap In A Dark Room
When experiencing a headache, if possible, try lying down and relaxing for at least 30 minutes. Make the room as dark and cool as possible.
Find or request absolute quiet, explaining you have a splitting headache and you need a short nap.
Make sure the bed or sofa is comfortable, and the head is supported so it won't add additional tension in the neck.
Adjust the lighting and the room temperature to be cool, for maximum relief.
4. Drink Plenty Of Water
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of headaches, especially if you've been sick recently, spent the day under the hot sun or are hungover.
Drink a large glass of water once you feel the head beginning to hurt, while continuing to take sips throughout the day. You'll gradually begin to feel the pain dissipate.
During headaches, it's recommended men drink up to 11 glasses of water a day, and 9 glasses for women.
Increase the water intake if you exercise frequently, or if the weather is hot and humid.
3. Moderate Intake Of Caffeine
What caffeine, since it contains OTC pain relievers can initially do is help relieve a headache, which is good news.
It can also be the cause of headaches however, especially if the caffeine dependence is heavy.
During headaches, adenosine in the bloodstream becomes elevated. What minimal caffeine consumption can do is block the receptors.
If you're drinking more than 2 cups of caffeine a day, headaches can often be a common side effect.
If that's the case, stop drinking any form of caffeine immediately, and monitor if the headaches stop.
2. Drugstore Pain Relief
Taking common pain relief medication usually won't have any effect for about 30 minutes to 2 hours, so the key is taking a dose immediately once you feel a headache starting.
The most common and fastest relief that's available on the drugstore shelves, includes acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and nasal sprays.
The danger of these medications is to not overuse, so read the labels carefully. If the headache persists more than 3 times a week, while taking these medications, then go see your doctor.
1. Know When To Get Medical Help
Determine if the persistent headache includes other symptoms, which may be a sign of possibly more severe and serious medical conditions, such as a stroke.
See your doctor or call the emergency medical services if this is the case.
This especially if the headache includes blurry vision, difficulty walking or talking, a stiff neck, feelings of nausea and/or vomiting, a high fever, difficulty with one side of the body, or feeling overall body weakness.
Seek consultation if the common over the counter medication doesn't work after a few days.
(NOTE: This is researched medical information)
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