Prevent or Treat Headaches

Nobody wants a headache. Learn how you can prevent headaches, in addition to learning how to stop a headache as your experiencing one.

Types of Headaches

There are two types of headaches that are the most common for people, which is either a tension headache or a migraine.

Tension headaches account for 90% of all headaches. This type of headache is generally a dull ache or a feeling of tightness all over the head.

Migraine headaches effect an estimated 28 million people. This type of headache is more intense and painful than a regular headache, even to the point of becoming disabling.

How to Prevent a Headache

Headaches are absolutely miserable, but the good news is that you can prevent both tension and migraine headaches. Here are some things you can start doing now to prevent a future headache.

•Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

•If you drink alcohol, limit your intake -including red wine. Ultimately, you will want to avoid alcoholic drinks entirely, but I say to take it one step at a time.

•Eat regularly, and don’t skip meals! Especially if you are hypoglycemic, skipping meals will just cause painful migraines. It’s worth the extra effort to eat food every couple of hours to prevent such pain. Trust me, I know.

•Proper nutrition is important in the prevention of headaches. If you avoid fried and processed foods – especially those containing MSG, Amines and Nitrates, since these are known to trigger painful headaches.

•Limit or completely eliminate your Caffeine intake. This means you should avoid coffee, energy drinks, and chocolate. I understand that chocolate is hard to get rid of, but when you think of the migraines it can cause for some people, it becomes a little easier to let it go.

•Increase your omega-3 fatty acids. You can start eating meals containing healthy fish like salmon, or just start taking a high grade fish oil.

•Make sure that you get enough sleep! This is easier said that done when you are busy juggling your life, but I promise that the benefits will be much worth your effort to get your needed rest.

•Exercise is a great way to prevent tension headaches and migraines.

•Life can get pretty hectic, and that means we are prone to stress.  It’s important that we relieve the stress in any way we can. How do you relieve the stress in your life? Sometimes you can’t change your hectic schedule, but maybe you can squeeze in a little “me” time once in awhile. Try a warm foot bath or hot shower to relax your muscles, or even aromatherapy.

How to Stop a Headache -Now!

There are plenty of things you can do to prevent a headache, but when you have a headache right now,  I understand you don’t want to know how to prevent it because it’s already too late for that.

Here are some ways you can stop your headache right now.

•Studies have proven that the active ingredient in Cayenne pepper, capsaicin, relieves headaches.

•I realize that not everyone will have immediate access to acupuncture, but if do have access to this type of treatment, it has been proven to prevent and relieve headaches.

•Lemons can be used internally or externally to get rid of your pesky headache. You can either drink some freshly squeezed lemon juice and water, or add some lemon juice and lemon skins to the temples to ease your headache away.

•Sometimes your headache is caused by your back or neck being out of alignment. Be sure to visit a trusted chiropractor to provide an adjustment. There have been plenty of times where I had headaches for several days, and once I saw my chiropractor for an adjustment, my headaches were gone.

Sources: Clinical Journal of Pain June 1998;14(2):97-106

Image Credits: Thad Zajdowicz

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