Try these 5 Headache Cures
Not tonight darling! I have a headache!
This sentence is probably one of the most commonly heard excuses to avoid intimacy. It is also the focal point of much tongue-in-cheek humor. The fact of the matter is that there may be a lot of truth behind this supposed snub. You will be surprised to know that 90 percent of Americans get some form of headaches. Also know that 70 percent more women get headaches compared to men. Surprisingly, 20 percent of teenagers and kids may also get this affliction sometimes.
Read ahead for some startling facts about headaches and what can be causing them. You might have a better chance of avoiding getting one. And, finding a headache cure.
Understanding the different types of headaches
Since the brain cannot feel pain, doctors estimate that the nerves, blood vessels, brain tissues and chemicals reacting in the brain could be causing the problem. Associate professor of neurology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, Dr. Charles Flippen reveals, “”We know a lot more than we did 20 years ago about what causes headaches. We know what areas of the brain are generating pain, but we don’t have the whole picture.”
To date, medical practitioners have recognized at least 14 different types of headaches. When you consult with your medical practitioner and request headache cures, she will probably try to identify the particular kind you have so she can recommend the right medication and treatment. Here are some of the most common types.
1. Migraines
Typically lasting from a few hours to 3 days, migraines are often caused by specific triggers. In addition to severe pain, patients also complain of nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, blurry vision and other symptoms. The causes of migraines can include strong odors, weather changes, eating certain foods that contain additives and chemicals, hormone imbalances or any other. Treating migraines often involves keeping a journal of the activities you did and the food and drink you consumed to identify the triggers. Once you know what causes the migraines, the best headache cure is avoiding the specific trigger.
2. Stress-related headaches
When you are stressed, you will sense a tightening of the muscles in your neck and scalp. These contracting muscles may lead to headaches. Depending on the stressful situation you are going through, you may experience a slight to severe attack. Having determined that anxiety is the cause of your headaches, with the advice of your doctor, you can try stress-reduction techniques like yoga, exercise, meditation, deep breathing or any other relaxation methods that work as headache cures so you can avoid the incidence of attacks.
3. Sinus headaches
The sinuses are the hollow areas filled with air located in the cheeks and forehead, and behind the bridge of the nose. Sinus headaches are caused when these sinuses get inflamed. In most cases, the swelling is because of a medical condition such as a tumor, infection like a cold or allergies caused by pollen or other such agents entering the sinus cavities. Since the symptoms often mimic those of migraines, your doctor may examine you carefully to signs of inflammation. Most times, once the medical reason behind the swelling is eliminated, your headaches should settle down.
4. Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are so called because they tend to occur in sets or groups. You could get the attacks one to three times each day for 2-15 months. Sometimes, they disappear completely for years before returning. If you have cluster headaches, you will sense a piercing or burn-like sensation at the back of your eyes that is steady or throbs. Certain patients have such severe attacks that sitting in one place seems to aggravate the pain. A rare form of headache, less than one in 1,000 people are likely to get it and experts believe that they could result from the inflammation of the trigeminal nerve behind the eyes. Typically, doctors prescribe injections, medications and oxygen masks as cluster headache cures.
5. Hormone imbalances
As you pass the age of 35, hormone production in the body tends to slow down. Both men and women experience a slowing of the release of body chemicals like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in men. These imbalances manifest themselves in many forms such as low libido, weakening muscles and bones, disturbed sleep patterns and insomnia, digestive issues, mood swings, depression and many more. One of the symptoms is headaches or migraines. As the Guide to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy advises, you can reverse this problem with the help of plant-based supplements. Check with your doctor for these medications that do not have side effects and can help you keep away the headaches.
Various other factors can also result in headaches
When you set out to look for headache cures, you will likely find that aside from these most common types, many other factors can cause the condition. For instance, coughing really hard, eating ice cream, visiting high altitude locations, overuse of the neck muscles like when playing games or even because of more serious medical condition. Your best bet is to work with your doctor who can get to the root of the problem and prescribe the right medication so you can keep away the pain and continue with your daily activities.
So, the next time your significant other talks about having a headache, be a little more understanding. Maybe, you’d like to settle for a cuddle tonight!
Article by Saroj Aggarwal
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.