Headaches
Headaches range in severity from mild, short – lived dis comfort to a raging pain that makes activity impossible. The site of pain varies from behind the eyes to the temples , forehead, back of the head oe even the whole head. You may be able to feel the hard , taut muscles fibres responsible for a tension headache under the skin of the head or neck . Migraine is a recurrent severe headache that may be accompanied headaches , but you are likely to experience fewer as you get older.
Did you know?
Vinegar and brown paper, , may indeed work to soothe a headache . vinegar has astringent and cooling properties, and the absorbent quality of brown paper makes it’s a good makeshift compress.
A headaches is not an illness, but a symptom. Rarely a sign of serious disease, headaches are most often caused by muscle tension resulting from a state of mental stress, when hard strands of contracted muscle fibres lead to pain by pressing on nerves or by obstructing the flow of blood, lymph, tissue fluid or – according to Asian medicine-energy.
CAUSES
There are many causes of headaches, including:
- Stress
- Dehydration
- A lack of nutrients reaching the muscles, blood vessels and nerves
- Flu or other viral infection
- Sinus infection
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Environmental factors, such as a smoky atmosphere or poor lighting
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Hormonal changes, as occur with premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Dental abnormalities
- Temporomandibular joint (TJM) syndrome
- Eyestrain
- Blood vessel contraction or dilation (vascular headaches), which can lead to migraine
- A food sensivity or allergy
- Osteoarthritis or a misalignment in the bones of the neck
- In rare cases, brain tumour, minigitis, high blood pressure or a stroke.
A healthy diet reduces susceptibility to headaches by increasing resistance to infection , improving the condition of the muscles, nerves and bloodd vessels, and helping prevent food sensivity. Drink at least six glasses of water daily to prevent dehydration.try to respond to stress in as positive a way as possible and practice good stress management techniques. Make any necessary changes to your environment , such as avoiding cigarette smoke, moistening dry air with houseplants or humidifier [be sure to clean thoroughly and regularly, and adjusting the levels and angels of ambient lighting. Some people find an ionizer-a device that removes positively charge ions from the air-helpful.
TREATMENT
Herbal remedies: Herbs can help bring relief through they will not remove the cause. Take the following remedies according to the instructions on the packaging.
- Feverfew has become a primary natural remedy for migraine. You could try taking feverfew tablets or cabsules for a maximum of two weeks at a time.Or you can eat feverfew leaves, putting them in a sandwich to disguise their bitterness. Be aware, however , that feverfew leaves can cause mouth ulcer or sore tongue in some people.
- To prevent a headache from worsening , drink a cup of tea made from passionflower, rosemary, or lavender- or a combination of one or more of these herbs- together with meadow-sweet , a gentle nerve tonic.
- To relax tight muscles, drink a tea or take a tincture made from valerian or cramp bark, with meadowsweet and rosemary. If stressed , include chamomile, vervain, kava or thyme.
FEVERFEW
A staple of the herbal medicine cabinet as a marked effect on headaches caused by dilation or contraction of the blood vessels.
Aromatherapy:
Fragrant essential oils can relieve pain , ease tension and clear congestion. Put them in your bath, in hot water for an inhalation, or in oil for a massage.
- For a tension headaches, try lavender, sweet marjoram and chamomile oils, all of which have relacing properties.
- If your headaches is caused by nasal or sinus congestion , perhaps from a cold or allergic rhinitis, use eucalyptus or peppermint oil.
- Gently massage two drop of lavender oil along the base of your skull at the back of your neck , on your temples and behind your ears.
- Springkle two drops each of sweet marjoram, lavender and peppermint oils on a tissue . Inhale deeply three times.
TIPS:
Aid in a nutshell
Eating almonds may help your headache. These tasty nuts contain pain-relieve
Acupressure for headache relief
- Place one hand across the front of your partner’s head, while using your other thumb to press the point [GB12] just behind the bony prominence at the hairline at the back of the ear . direct gently pulsing thumb pressure towards the eye for about two minutes.
- Put your thumb on the point [GB20] between the muscles of the side and back of the neck , just under the ridge of the skull as in the previous step, direct thumb pressure towards the eye on the other side for two minutes. Repeat both steps on the other side of the head.
Diet:
Reduce your caffeine intakle. If you are a heavy consumer, do this gradually-for example , by combining decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee. Be prepared for a withdrawal headache that may last a few days. Eat foods rich in calcium, magnesium and essential fatty acids.Avoid foods to which you might be sensitive. Some people get headaches from nitites and nitrates (in cured meats), monosodium glutamate (MSG), tyramines (in fermented foods, particular red wines, processed meats, age cheeses, beer), sulphites (in dried fruits and relishes) or salicylates (in tea, vinegar and many fruits).
Hydrotherapy:Apply alternate hot or cold compresses to the nape of the neck. Fold a small towel two or three times, wring it out in hot water , leave it in place for two minutes; then replace it for one minute with a towel wrung out incold water . repeat for 15-20mins.
Homeopathy:
For isolated headaches, try one of the following:
- Belladonna: for throbbing, hammering headaches that are worse for lightr and noise.
- Bryonia: for bursting headaches that are worse for the slightest movement.
- Ignatia: for headaches that have been caused bby acute emotional distress.
Other therapist: cranial osteopathy, biofeed-back, self-hypnosis, meditation, reflexology and acupuncture may also be helpful .
When to get medical help
- You have repeated, unexplained headaches.
Get help right away if:
- You have a sudden, severe of a kind not previously experienced.
- You experience vomiting, a stiff neck, fever, rash, dislike of bright light, confusion and / or vision problems (with a severe headaches).
See also : Hangover, Migraine, Stress
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
