| Headache can affect just anybody and everybody. It | | | | avoided. |
| is pain in the head, which involves the area located | | | | If a headache is accompanied by other symptoms |
| above the eyes or the ears, behind the head or in | | | | such as fever, or disturbed vision/speech, or loss of |
| the back of the upper neck. The muscles or blood | | | | memory, one must immediately consult a doctor. |
| vessels of the head, neck area swell, tighten, or | | | | Treat of headaches? |
| undergo other changes that put pressure on the | | | | Tension-type headaches can be relieved by using |
| surrounding nerves and cause a headache. | | | | relaxation techniques, or using over-the-counter |
| What are the types of headaches? | | | | painkillers. |
| There are two types of headaches - | | | | * Taking a painkiller such as aspirin, dispirin usually |
| 1. primary headaches - accounts for 90% of all | | | | works well. |
| headaches. This is not related to any other disease. | | | | * One may also take anti-inflammatory painkillers such |
| There are three types of primary headache -a. | | | | as ibuprofen as an alternative. Anti-inflammatories |
| tension headaches - associates with stress, anxiety | | | | may be more effective than normal painkillers for |
| and depression.b. cluster headaches - occur daily, over | | | | some people. |
| a long period.c. migraine. | | | | A word of caution - |
| 2. secondary headache - associated with an | | | | As with all medicines, always follows the instructions |
| underlying condition such as cerebro-vascular disease, | | | | on the strip. Prolonged use of painkillers will eventually |
| head trauma, infection, tumour or some metabolic | | | | cause withdrawal headaches, they should not be |
| disorder (such as diabetes, thyroid problem). In these | | | | taken continuously for more than a few days at a |
| cases, the underlying condition must be diagnosed | | | | time. |
| and treated. | | | | Relaxation techniques include: |
| 3. One may also suffer from something called "mixed" | | | | * applying a hot bag on the forehead or neck |
| headache in which tension headache or secondary | | | | * applying some pain relief balm on the forehead |
| headache triggers migraine headaches. | | | | * exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, or |
| What causes headaches? | | | | relaxation exercises |
| Almost everybody must have had an experience of | | | | * Chiropractic manipulation helps alleviate tension |
| a headache sometime or the other. Headaches are | | | | headaches caused by muscle strain due to poor |
| more common in women and in people with a genetic | | | | posture. If a person has to sit for long periods, work |
| history of headaches. | | | | at a computer, or perform repetitive movements, |
| Tension headaches are caused by stress, muscular | | | | chiropractic helps reduce the frequency of headaches. |
| tension, vascular dilation, postural changes, prolonged | | | | * Acupuncture may also help reduce pain and |
| coughing/sneezing, and fever. | | | | frequency of headaches. It is widely believed that |
| Physical conditions that can lead to chronic muscular | | | | the thin needles used stimulate the nervous system |
| tension and thereby, headache include: | | | | to release endorphins or other chemicals and |
| * Anxiety | | | | hormones that affect pain perception. |
| * Arthritis in neck or spinal cord | | | | For chronic headaches, consult a physician, who will |
| * Degenerative bone disease in the neck or spine | | | | find out the exact cause and provide drugs |
| * Depression | | | | accordingly. People who get chronic headaches should |
| Cluster headaches may be due to alcohol abuse or | | | | avoid analgesics altogether. |
| the side effects of certain medications, including | | | | A balanced diet and regular exercise will contribute to |
| drugs that dilate or constrict blood vessels. A low | | | | general health and wellbeing, and this may help make |
| level of endorphins (natural painkilling compounds | | | | tension headaches less likely. |
| found in the brain) may cause frequent, severe, or | | | | Preventive measures for a headache - |
| chronic headache pain. | | | | * Exercise moderately but regularly. |
| Other common factors that make people more | | | | Avoid exercising in very hot weather. |
| prone to headache are - | | | | * Reduce stress |
| * constipation | | | | * Identify triggering factors such as food, tobacco, |
| * acidity | | | | alcohol. Foods typically include chocolate, dairy |
| * excessive consumption of tea, coffee, nicotine | | | | products, and caffeine. |
| * deficiency of oxygen in the blood | | | | * Avoid regular use of pain relievers. |
| * approach to a menstrual cycle (in case of women) | | | | Home remedies for headache - |
| * sitting too close to the television | | | | * Eat an apple with a little salt on an empty stomach |
| * reading in insufficient light or a moving vehicle | | | | everyday and see its remedial effects. |
| Causes of secondary headache vary from life | | | | * Mix 1/4 teaspoon of clove powder in one teaspoon |
| threatening conditions such as brain tumours, cerebral | | | | of cinnamon oil. Apply mixture to the area of pain. |
| strokes, meningitis, brain hemorrhages to less serious | | | | This is very effective Home Remedy for Headache |
| conditions such as withdrawal from drugs, caffeine. | | | | * Place your thumbs right in the centre of each |
| Symptoms of headache - | | | | temple. Massage firmly using a circular motion until |
| Signs that indicate the presence of a headache: | | | | you feel respite. |
| * a constant dull ache in the head. | | | | * Eat 10-12 almonds, for a migraine headache. |
| * nausea | | | | * Put your hands in hot water, which pulls out the |
| * difficulty in sleeping | | | | pressure from head. |
| * loss of appetite | | | | * Crush onion and apply the paste on the head. Or |
| * feeling of uneasiness | | | | roast some dry ajwain seeds, tie it in a muslin cloth |
| Diagnosis of a headache? | | | | and sniff repeatedly for relief. This is also useful |
| In most cases of headache, there is no need to visit | | | | Home Remedy for Headache |
| the doctor. A very severe headache that appears | | | | * Curd should be avoided, especially at night. |
| suddenly, or one that deteriorates instead of getting | | | | * Carrot juice along with spinach, or beet and |
| better with time requires medical investigation. | | | | cucumber juice, has been found beneficial in the |
| One can even identify the type of headache, by | | | | treatment of migraine. |
| being a bit alert. Each time you have a headache, | | | | * Try to relax, and keep mind free from anxiety, |
| make a note of how bad it is, where the pain is, any | | | | anger, mental tension and worry. |
| other symptoms, and if any type of pattern | | | | * Make a paste of 10-15 basil leaves (tulsi) with 4 |
| emerges. | | | | cloves and 1 teaspoon dried ginger and apply to |
| This can help find out triggers, which can thus be | | | | forehead for sinus headache. |