A headache can be annoying and can really disrupt your day. My patients often tell me that headaches can occur for many reasons. Migraine headaches are more complex and can be debilitating. Migraine headaches are more severe than regular headaches. They can be triggered by hormone changes, allergies, or other factors that are unique to the individual.
Alternatives
Did you know that these headaches don’t have to be treated at the pharmacy? That’s right. There are many home remedies you can try, and I’d love to tell you about them. Let’s first discuss what could be causing your headaches. What Causes a Headache It is possible to avoid headaches and get rid of them when they do occur by knowing the causes.
- Fatigue – Not getting enough sleep can lead to headaches, as well as brain fog or clumsiness. Fatigue can cause inflammation in the nerve pathways, which can lead to headaches.
- Dehydration – headaches can be caused by dehydration in extreme temperatures. Your brain is 85% water, so it needs to be kept hydrated to prevent spasms. Stress/tension – Get rid of any stress or tension that is causing tension headaches.
- Temperature changes – (see also dehydration) A headache can be caused by drops in barometric pressure, which occurs just before it rains. Sinus pressure buildup and/or temperature fluctuations. Headaches can be triggered by chemical smells such as detergents and cleaners at home, or in grocery stores. Strong outdoor smells such as smoke, gasoline, chlorine and sewage can also trigger headaches, particularly migraines.
- Allergies: Seasonal allergies to flower/plant pollens can trigger headaches. Mold spores can be triggered by wet leaves and may cause headaches. Food allergies could also be a factor.
- Tight neck muscles – from slouching at your desk, cradling your phone between your shoulder blades, and wearing tight ponytails or head gear can cause tension in your neck, neck, and shoulders.
- Exercise – Some people get headaches after exercising hard or after having sex. This is due to the pressure in the blood vessels.
- Foods – Migraine headaches are particularly sensitive to foods like cheese and red wines that contain tyramine. Some people may experience migraines from sulfites found in wine and other foods. Caffeine can help with headache relief and also bring on migraines in different people. You should reduce your intake gradually to avoid a severe headache. You may only experience headaches on a very rare basis. If this is the case, you might want to seek symptomatic relief right away.
What to do?
- Keep a headache log – This is essential in identifying and avoiding triggers like those listed above that can cause headaches. Keep track of what you did, ate, drank, or were exposed to just before your headache started.
- Massage/Physical Therapy: If you have a headache, a friend can give you a neck/shoulders massage. When a headache occurs, the muscles in the neck and back of your head become very tight. This tension can almost always be released from the headache.
- Get some exercise to relieve tension-based headaches and muscle tension. A cool pool can relax tight muscles and relieve tension headaches quickly. Walking or swinging your arms can loosen stiff neck muscles and help stop headaches.
- Don’t forget to eat – brain fog and low blood sugar headaches can be caused by a lack of regular eating. To reduce your headaches, eat carbohydrates and protein like bread, milk, and bread.
- Natural Pain Relievers – White willow bark is similar to aspirin, but without the side effects. It is actually the precursor herb to aspirin. It is available in health food shops.
- Applying heat compresses or ice to the back of your neck/head muscles can relieve tension that is causing the headache.
- Soak your feet in warm water. This warm water moves blood from the head to the feet, which helps relieve headaches.
- Magnesium – migraine headaches that are often caused by muscle tension could be a sign of a magnesium deficiency. Take 400mg of magnesium with a glass milk and then lie down. Ask your doctor about specific lab tests to determine if you are low in magnesium.
- Valerian – A natural relaxant, a few drops of Valerian in warm water can help you relax and de-tense, and stop a headache faster.
- Potassium – Like magnesium, potassium can help to stop migraines, especially if you are low in it. It is often an ingredient in prescription migraine medications. It is found in bananas, potatoes, milk, cantaloupes, citrus fruits, and nuts.
