How to Soothe Headaches
Headaches can wreak havoc on your life, especially if you are subjected to them on a regular basis. The throbbing, aching, and sometimes debilitating pain can completely ruin your day, and if they are chronic, they can significantly interfere with your life. There are several types of headaches, ranging from migraine and tension, to cluster and rebound. A multitude of underlying conditions can create the various types of headaches, but regardless of the source, the resulting pain is far from pleasant. Knowing how to prevent and/or soothe headaches can be invaluable.
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Instructions
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Prevention
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Know the type of headache that you are the most prone to get. If you typically suffer from a hormone-related headache, such as a menstrual migraine, you can attempt to prevent the headaches by taking NSAIDS (such as Fenoprofen, Flurbiprofen, or Naproxen) for 2-3 days before your period starts.
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Seek assistance from your physician for migraines (characterized by auras, light sensitivity, intense pain on one side of the head and often accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting). There are many prescription medications which are effective for treating migraines. These can include NSAIDS, anti-depressants, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers.
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Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. In other words, not only should you be getting enough sleep, but you should get the same amount of sleep every night. Many headaches develop when the normal sleep pattern is disrupted.
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Add magnesium to your diet. Dr. Christina Peterson, a neurologist in private practice and the medical director of the Oregon Headache Clinic in Oregon City, Oregon, reports that magnesium or Feverfew (an herb) may reduce the frequency of migraines.
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Exercise frequently and consistently. The chemicals released during physical activity can help to prevent headaches by blocking the pain signals to your brain.
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Avoid trigger foods and/or beverages. Excess caffeine can cause irritability, stress and subsequently, a stress-induced headache. Many people have sensitivities to red wine, chocolate, and certain processed foods. Keep a journal and note the foods that precipitate your headaches.
Soothing headaches
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Take an over-the-counter analgesic containing caffeine, acetaminophen and aspirin (such as Excedrin) as soon as you feel the headache starting. Be sure to take this with food as it can cause stomach upset on an empty stomach.
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Drink fluids. Many headaches stem from being dehydrated.
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Apply ice to the top of your head. Use a bag of frozen vegetables or place ice chips in a plastic bag, and wrap the bag in a towel.
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Apply warmth to your shoulders/neck area to ease any tension that you may have developed in the muscles of your shoulders and neck. A rice or corn filled bag that can be heated works well.
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Sleep if you can. Sometimes a throbbing headache will dissipate if you are able to get past the pain and fall asleep.
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Tips & Warnings
Pursue alternate means of headache management, such as biofeedback, aromatherapy, or acupuncture, if the traditional treatments are not offering relief.
Keep a headache journal to document when your headaches occur. Journals can help to identify foods or events that precipitate your headaches.
Avoid taking pain relieving medications such as acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, everyday. You can develop rebound headaches if you become reliant on these types of medications.
Schedule an appointment with your physician if your headaches increase in severity and/or frequency.
If your headache is accompanied by a stiff neck and/or jaw, it could indicate a serious health issue that requires you to be seen by a doctor.
