headache

A headache refers to an acute pain in the head or neck region of the body. It is a vital symptom of a number of different conditions in the head. Headaches are known to be caused by a disturbance in the pain receptors of the brain. There are nine such centers in the head and neck, which are subcutaneous tissues, eyes, ears, mucous membranes, sinuses, cranium muscles, nerves, veins and arteries.

There are over 200 different types of headaches, and they are classified into primary and secondary headaches depending on their cause and severity.

We talked to doctors at Icy Health, and they recommended a few tips on how to deal with a headache.

• Re-hydrate yourself: 

The first thing you should do when you have a headache is to rehydrate yourself. Avoid consuming soft drinks or energy drinks. Always prefer water. You can also have sports drinks as they not only hydrate the body but also provide essential electrolytes.
Replace liquids such as coffee or soda with water.

A deficiency of fluids in the body is the cause of a lot of headaches. Skipping meals, excessive perspiration, and overconsumption of salty snacks are a few other reasons.

For people who spend long hours on the computer, this seems to be very beneficial. Sometimes, your cells do not get sufficient oxygen, leading to a headache. In this situation, deep breathing is helpful.

• Stretch your neck:

Around 60% of the total headaches are due to problems in the neck. According to doctors, a stiff neck is the major source of headaches. You can get rid of the stiffness by doing a few simple exercises.

You can do one simple exercise by placing your palm on top of the head and then pulling your ear towards the shoulder. Pull the ear until you feel a stretch on the opposite side. A few neck exercises with the jaw are helpful. This is done by opening your mouth as wide as you can and then closing it gently.

There are many stretching exercises for your neck. However, it is better to consult your doctor on the kind of exercise that suits you best. People suffering from cervical spondylitis are advised not to do any of the neck exercises.

• Have tea: 

A type of tea consisting of three ingredients namely lemon, ginger and honey, makes the most effective headache-fighting medicine.

Not only is it beneficial for curing headaches it also prevents the occurrence of the common cold or flu.

Although many companies have launched tea powders and tea bags, I recommend fresh ingredients in the preparation. If you are prone to headaches, make sure you have a cup of this tea in the morning.

Peppermint tea is good for fighting headaches caused due to problems in the digestive system. This tea is also known for its amazing property of preventing constipation. The antioxidants present in green tea help in the treatment of migraines.

• Get rid of any stress: 

Headaches caused due to stress are the most common types of headaches. A tension headache can be described as band-like pain around the forehead and may tend to cover the eye and ear region, too.

However, de-stressing is not easy and might take time, depending on the causes of stress. There are numerous factors that cause stress. Meditating, deep breathing, having tea, socializing, and having sweet snacks are a few ways of reducing stress.

Stress might also cause high blood pressure, which in turn leads to headaches. Studies have shown that people suffering from high blood pressure experience frequent headaches that are severe in magnitude.

• Acupressure: 

This is an integral part of Chinese medical arts and is popular even in the U.S. and Canada. Specific pressure points on the body are associated with a particular organ. Acupressure has been used since ages for the treatment of headaches and other pain-relieving practices.

The points related to headaches are constructed to ease tension and open up the internal energy passages of the body. The good thing about this is that it has no side effects, and people from all age groups can get it done. You just need to have a basic knowledge of the pressure points.

Acupressure has shown tremendous results in the past, curing migraines permanently. This acupressure point is called the “Tiger’s Jaw”. Nonetheless, it is better to avoid this if you are pregnant. Though this technique hurts, it is the most effective way of dealing with headaches. 

Headaches can be treated with the above-mentioned techniques. However, if this doesn’t help, it might be a sign of a serious health problem.