A headache is flaring up again, and your head is throbbing continuously. Not only does it make you uncomfortable, but it can be unbearable, too. Your aching head has been disruptive to your day-to-day activities, so what can you do to stop it?
Headaches are a pretty common malady everyone experiences at some point in their lives. It can either be throbbing, sharp, constant, or dull. But the good news is there are several things you can do to handle the pain. If you don’t want it to occur again, a fantastic read of this article below could be helpful. Consider these must-try headache remedies:
1. Drink Lots Of Water
Anyone who’s not hydrated enough is likely to develop a headache. Since chronic dehydration is one of the common causes of tension headaches and migraines, you need to follow what most doctors say—to drink lots of water regularly.
Drinking water relieves the symptoms of a headache. Plus, it improves one’s concentration and mood. Therefore, to avoid headaches caused by dehydration, drink enough water throughout the day and eat foods rich in water.
2. Minimize Your Alcohol Intake
Drinking alcohol doesn’t always cause an aching head to everyone. It could, however, provoke migraines in those who suffer from frequent migraines. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes the body lose fluid and electrolytes during urination. Such a fluid loss might result in dehydration, which can induce or aggravate a headache. Hence, minimize your intake of beverages with alcohol content.
3. Get The Right Amount Of Sleep
Not getting sufficient sleep is detrimental to your head in many ways. One study compared the prevalence and severity of headaches in those who slept for less than six hours each night to those who slumbered longer. As a result, the former has experienced more frequent and severe headaches than the latter.
Sleeping too much can result in headaches, as well. Therefore, it’s best to get the right amount of sleep.
4. Soothe The Pain With A Cold Pack
A cold compress to your neck or head can relieve the symptoms of your headache. Doing so slows nerve conduction, reduces inflammation, and constricts blood vessels. To make a cold pack, have a towel with ice cubes and place them on top of your head for 15 minutes.
5. Dim The Lights
The sight of those flickering lights from your laptop or bright rays of the sun can result in a migraine. If you’re experiencing aches because of it, you can cover your windows during the daytime, wear outdoor sunglasses, or use anti-glare screens for your laptop.
6. Drink Some Caffeine
Aside from improving one’s mood and attentiveness and constricting blood vessels, caffeine can provide relief to your headache. However, too much of it can cause headaches as well. Therefore, everyone, particularly those who experience frequent headaches, should be watchful of their caffeine consumption.
7. Get A Massage
If you’re experiencing a tension headache, try to massage your temples, forehead, and neck for a few minutes. Apply gentle pressure to the aching area in a rotating manner.
8. Minimize Chewing
Chewing gums, fingernails, and tiny objects like pens don’t just hurt your jaw but also your head. Likewise, devouring crunchy or sticky foods can cause headaches, so take small nibbles instead. Furthermore, if you grind your teeth at sleep, consult your dentist about wearing a mouth guard to prevent headaches when you wake up.
9. Stay Away From Strong Smells
Inhaling too many perfumes or cleaning products with strong odors often leads to a headache. A person’s hypersensitivity to pungent stenches is referred to as osmophobia, and it’s common among individuals with chronic migraines. If you think you’re sensitive to strong scents, try to avoid perfumes or cigarette smoke to lower your chances of developing a migraine.
10. Ease The Pressure
Tying your hair too tightly can give you a headache. The same thing goes for wearing caps, sweatbands, or swimming goggles that are too tight. You may have to alleviate the pressure on your scalp and your head.
11. Do Some Exercise
Engaging in physical activity can relieve headaches, too! You can simply start by increasing the number of steps you take throughout each day or cycling indoors.
12. Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice in which thin needles are injected into the skin to stimulate certain spots in the body. Such a practice is also thought to reduce the incidence of headaches. This could be an effective treatment for chronic headaches.
Final Thoughts
Many people have already been bothered by frequent headaches, so it’s essential to know a few effective remedies when it happens to you. The list above is safe to do, so there’s no harm in trying a thing or two. If your headache symptoms continue, it might be best to call your doctor.