A headache is everywhere and in any shape, you can think of, be it a mild ache to ‘the’ migraine. And almost everyone has a headache at one point or other but do we really consider why do they occur and what can be the causes that trigger them in the first place? We have a headache; all we do is pop a painkiller or get a head massage, which I can say from experience, is really effective. But what about getting them to stop forever?
Headaches have Types?
First let us know the types of headaches – tension-induced headaches, sinus, and migraine. A migraine affects one part of the head and doesn’t come alone, it brings a whole set of friends with it, namely nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound and more often not, temporary visual disturbances.
And tension-induced headaches come alone but affect both sides of the head and usually are subsided using painkillers.
Another type which usually affects the children and adolescents is Meningismus, which is again a tension induced headache. They are known to cause chronic headaches in children. Meningismus generally occurs as an autoimmune response to streptococcal infection and one can detect it if the child has been complaining of a headache almost after a month from the start of the infection. They complain of regular headaches, stiff neck, and photophobia.
Sinus headaches occur around the eyes, cheeks, nose and upper jaw area. It’s easy to confuse a sinus headache with that of a migraine headache, so it is advisable to get it properly tested and then follow proper medication for the same.
What causes Headaches?
Well, now we know the kinds of headaches but we are still ignorant of the causes that trigger them. Identifying these root causes help in getting rid of these nasty headaches much easier.
- Sensitivity from food
Certain food items like caffeine, sugar, sweeteners, gluten, packaged foods, and artificial preservatives are known to trigger headaches in children and adults alike. Inflammatory food items should be avoided by people suffering from chronic headaches. Doing away from this ache causing food items can cure headaches overnight.
Eliminating the headache causing food items from the diet for 21 days can have a great effect on the person suffering from chronic headaches.
- Hormonal imbalance
Hormones play a vital role in our body; in fact, they are like the nerves connecting the entire system in our body, helping it to function smoothly. Any imbalance in the hormones causes headaches. The glands secrete the hormones and these hormones regulate your entire system.
Most commonly, imbalances in cortisol, the gland that regulates the blood sugar and blood pressure, is the culprit behind the headaches. Thus, it is quite important to get properly tested if a headache persists for a longer period of time.
- Stress – de-stress
The stress of any kind will have an adverse effect on one’s health. Studies have shown that a migraine and tension-induced headaches are usually caused by stress that the person is going through. The reason for stress can be anything, a bad breakup, tiring job, upcoming exams, or even a happy event like a wedding can cause stress. Most doctors found that the patients complaining of regular headaches had some level of stress in their daily life.
So, the prescription was simple, de-stressing. Finding a good way to de-stress was the way those patients got cured in no time. Talking to a therapist and off-loading the emotional stress helped them in a great way.
- Musculoskeletal tension
More often than not, we find ourselves in front of the computer or a tab or a smartphone, hunching over these tiny gadgets that put quite a lot of pressure on the muscles around our shoulders and neck. And the outcome??? Headache! So what should one do? Take a break every once in a while. Go around the office or even home, take a walk and relieve your stressed muscles.
Today, most people are engaged in sedimentary kind of jobs which leads to muscular stress. Yoga comes as a great reliever of this kind of stress. Regular practice of yoga relieves the stress from your constricted muscles as well as relieves emotional stress too. Stretches in yoga relax the over-used muscles and make your body feel fluid and free. You will certainly feel a difference in your headache once you start practicing yoga on a regular basis.
Simple tricks and tips to treat a headache without pills
- Drink water at the onset of a headache and continue sipping water until a headache disappears.
- Apply a warm compress on your neck will help in alleviating the pain.’
- Having a glass of warm water with half a lemon squeezed in it will relax and refresh the body.
- Peppermint tea also helps in relaxing the body, thus reducing the pain.
- Ice bags pressed on the forehead freezes the pain by contracting the blood vessels.
A nice head massage will increase the flow of blood in the head thereby reducing the pain.