Headache Cures

Headache is one of the most common problems encountered by a large number of population. For some, headache is often triggered by certain factors like, stress, anxiety or sleeplessness, while others seem to suffer from it for no apparent reason. However, it can be managed with the help of some simple headache cures, which are discussed in this article.
Headache or pain in the head is considered as a symptom, associated with numerous health conditions. Generally, it is associated with certain factors like stress, fatigue, tension, lack of adequate sleep, certain allergens and hormonal fluctuations. It is very important to identify the exact causes or the triggering factors, in order to find out the effective headache cures, as well as to reduce its severity and frequency in the future. Most often headache is felt either at the temples or the place, where the jaw muscles meet. Again, headaches can be of different types, out of which the most common types are, sinus headache, migraine headache, tension headache and cluster headache. Read more about cluster headache, causes, symptoms and treatment.

How to Cure Headache

For headache relief, the most common practice is to grab over the counter pain medications. Though, these pain medications can help to relieve the pain temporarily, their overuse can result in several side effects. For sinus headache treatment, most commonly used medications are, acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen. Even nasal sprays and decongestant can provide significant relief in sinus headache, though their excessive use is usually not recommended. On the other hand, migraine headache is generally managed with the help of a combination of triptan and anti-nausea medications. Those who cannot take triptan due to certain underlying conditions, are given over the counter pain medications. For severe migraine headache, narcotics and butalbital containing medications can be used. But, as usual, their overuse can lead to addiction and many other side effects.

Natural Headache Cures

Relying too much on the pain killers or analgesics for a long time period to cure headache is certainly not good for your health. The natural cure for headache, on the other hand, can help to alleviate and manage the condition in the long run, without adversely affecting your health and wellbeing. So, here are some natural headache remedies.
  • One of the best natural headache cures is rest, as most often headaches have been observed to be triggered by stress and anxiety. So, taking a nap for a few hours usually helps to reduce stress and relieve the pain and discomfort.
  • Along with rest or sleep, stress can also be managed with the help of relaxation techniques like, meditation and yoga. These relaxation techniques often help to manage or reduce the frequency of headaches in the long run.
  • If it is a sinus headache, you can apply a cold compress to the forehead. This is one of the simplest sinus headache cures, and can work for migraine and tension headache as well.
  • Like cold compress, application of heat on the forehead or the affected area can also help the migraine sufferers.
  • Take a hot bath or shower in order to relax your mind and body, which will provide relief from migraine and sinus headache.
  • Another popular natural remedy for sinus headache relief is jalapeno pepper, which can help to drain the sinuses to remove congestion.
  • Pure lavender oil is one of the most effective natural migraine headache cures. Just put one or two drops of lavender oil on the temples to treat migraine headache. You can also use peppermint or rosemary oil in the same way for migraine headache relief.
  • Peppermint is highly valued for its decongestant properties, for which peppermint steam inhalation can work wonders for sinus headache. It can work for tension headache as well.
  • A cup of coffee or herbal tea, especially ginger and chamomile tea can provide quick relief in any type of headache. Coffee can be particularly effective for migraine headache, as it helps to constrict the blood vessels in and around the brain.
Along with natural headache cures, follow a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly to control and prevent the frequency of headaches. Migraine sufferers should include more magnesium rich foods like, leafy green vegetables, nuts and whole grains in their diet. This mineral can prove quite beneficial for reducing the severity and frequency of migraine headaches. Even alternative treatment options like, acupressure has been found to benefit a large number populations. The most common acupressure point for headache is the web between the thumb and the index finger. If this point is pressed and massaged for a few minutes, then it can provide quick relief from headache. But, if you are suffering from headache for a prolonged time, it is better to pay a visit to your physician, as the proper identification of the causes and the triggering factors is very important for treatment of headache.
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Published: 2/6/2010
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