How To Treat Tension Headaches At Home – Who in the modern world has not experienced a headache from time to time? Whether it’s a minor annoyance or a pain so nauseous it leaves you lying in a dark room, all you want is relief. And many of us turn to over-the-counter painkillers to get through it. However, medications only mask the pain, and many can also cause painful side effects. So, if you are tired of just dealing with the symptoms, check out these 10 home remedies for headaches. Whether your problem is tension or severe pain from a migraine, we can provide the headache relief you’ve been looking for.
Believe it or not, experts estimate that there are over 300 types of headaches. However, all headaches are classified into one of two types: secondary or primary. Secondary headaches are a symptom of an underlying medical problem and include benign types, such as ice and sinus headaches, as well as those associated with life-threatening conditions, such as tumors and aneurysms.
How To Treat Tension Headaches At Home
In contrast, primary headaches are the result of overactivity or malfunction of pain-sensitive structures in the head. This type of headache is not associated with a known structural abnormality and accounts for more than 90% of all headaches. The most common types of primary headaches are:
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Tension headache is known as the most common type of headache. This is a type of headache that causes a feeling of tightness around the head, making it feel like the skull is being pressed. Tension headaches, which last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days, typically cause dull, throbbing pain on both sides of the head and can radiate to the neck and shoulders.
Symptoms of tension headaches can sometimes overlap with those of migraines, making it difficult to separate the two. Tension headaches can be caused by a variety of factors, but are mostly related to stress.
Migraines are serious headaches whose causes are complex and not yet well understood. However, this condition is believed to be the result of a neurological disorder involving the brain’s neural pathways and neurotransmitters, including serotonin.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, nearly 40 million Americans suffer from migraines, and women are three times more likely to get migraines than men.
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Migraine attacks can last 4 to 72 hours and are accompanied by severe pain, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually occur on only one side of the head, but can affect both sides.
This group of headaches is characterized by moderate to severe pain on one side of the head, accompanied by additional symptoms such as watery eyes, red eyes, runny nose, stuffy nose, or droopy eyelids on the same side.
The most common of autonomic trigeminal headaches is cluster headache, which can occur several times a day for several weeks. Cluster headaches were once thought to be five to six times more common in men than women, but the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) now estimates the ratio to be closer to 2:1.
The least common types of primary headaches fall into the “other” category. These include cough headaches, which can cause sharp, sharp pains, and exercise and sex headaches, which can cause dull or stabbing pains.
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Whether you suffer from secondary or primary headaches, relief is probably the only thing on your mind. So with that in mind, here are 10 proven headache remedies that can help you relieve pain quickly and naturally.
If you suffer from tension headaches, applying heat can help relax your muscles and give you peace of mind. However, if you are experiencing migraine pain, you may want to consider using cold compresses instead. Not only does cold reduce inflammation and slow nerve conduction, but a 2013 study also found that placing an ice pack on your neck at the onset of a migraine can significantly reduce pain symptoms.
The use of ginger root for medicinal purposes dates back thousands of years. And now modern science has shown that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, including the ability to block prostaglandins that cause inflammation and pain, making it useful in treating headaches.
In fact, a 2014 study found that ginger was just as effective in relieving migraines as the prescription drug sumatriptan, but without the side effects. As an added bonus, ginger is also effective in reducing the nausea symptoms that often accompany migraine attacks.
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To reap the many benefits of ginger, take the root in capsule form or make your own ginger tea by steeping a tablespoon of fresh ginger root in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Ginger tea is hot and spicy on its own, but can also be sweetened by mixing it with honey.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 75% of Americans are magnesium deficient. Studies have shown that many people who suffer from chronic headaches, including migraines, are deficient in this important mineral.
In addition, a 2018 study found that the use of magnesium supplements can help prevent migraine attacks, and the American Migraine Foundation recommends taking 400 to 500 mg of magnesium daily to prevent and treat migraines.
Tart cherries contain phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which block inflammation and inhibit pain enzymes. In addition, these phytochemicals can inhibit the breakdown of the amino acid tryptophan, which serves as a precursor to serotonin. As previously discussed, serotonin is thought to be involved in migraine pain. To reap the benefits of tart cherries, snack on 20 or more of the delicious fruit or drink 8 ounces of tart cherry juice.
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Peppermint and lavender essential oils both have antispasmodic and analgesic properties, making them effective in combating headaches. A 2016 study found that topical application of peppermint oil was as effective as aspirin and acetaminophen in reducing spasms associated with tension headaches. And a 2012 clinical trial found that inhaling lavender oil partially or completely reduced migraine symptoms in about 70% of study participants.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body’s cells to produce energy. And several studies have shown that supplements containing this important nutrient can help treat and prevent migraines.
For example, a 2017 study found that 100 mg of CoQ10 per day helped reduce the frequency, duration and severity of migraine attacks without side effects. A 2005 study found that antioxidants can also help reduce nausea symptoms.
Dehydration is known to cause several types of headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, adequate daily water intake is about 11-1/2 cups for women and 15-1/2 cups for men. So, if you feel your headache getting worse, try pouring a big glass of water and drinking it.
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After discussing the importance of preventing dehydration, it may be strange to recommend caffeine for headaches. But in fact, caffeine helps blood vessels dilate during headaches, making it a common ingredient in many headache medications.
In addition, a 2017 study found that caffeine can effectively treat both primary and secondary headaches, but that combining it with over-the-counter pain relievers significantly improves the effectiveness of these medications.
However, like other pain relievers, excessive use of caffeine can cause medication headaches, so be careful with your intake and drink plenty of water as mentioned earlier to compensate for the dehydrating effects of caffeine.
Muscle tension plays an important role in different types of headaches. And with modern computer and cell phone use, we are constantly putting pressure on our neck muscles. A 2010 study found that a 12-month stretching program can reduce headache symptoms by 37%. And adding strengthening exercises can increase relief by an astounding 69%.
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To minimize stress that causes headaches, it is recommended that you take a break from your computer or phone every 30 minutes and rotate your head and neck in a circular motion to relax your muscles and release built-up tension. For further pain relief, massage the muscles at the back of your neck and along the sides where tension builds up.
Several studies have shown that meditation can be helpful in preventing tension headaches and migraines. In fact, a recent meta-analysis found that mindfulness meditation was actually effective in reducing both the severity and frequency of headaches.
So the next time you get a headache, don’t let it ruin your day. Natural remedies may be all you need to get back to your old self.
However, headaches can sometimes be a symptom of a serious condition, so if you have the worst headache of your life, a stiff neck, difficulty speaking or walking, etc.
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