Medication Free Tips For Headaches
Headaches are one common ailment that cuts across all classes of people, sparing not even the young. Whether it starts off as a dull throb and works its way up to the constant pounding migraine type of headache, there is no doubt that headaches are a real pain in the head. Once the thumping hits, folks reach out for medicine bottles and over the counter analgesics, which are the most common go-to pain relievers with paracetamol and ibuprofen topping the list. For headaches that have no end in sight, some folks use such pain relievers on a daily basis for weeks on end.
However, despite the quick fix results these medicine offer, constant medication does have its drawbacks. Headache sufferers have been known to develop a tolerance for pain medication to the point where it no longer relieves pain. Seeing as more folks than ever are breaking out in rashes, developing swollen lips and other disturbing side effects of medication all in a bid to cure themselves of splitting headaches, it is no wonder that a medicine free cure is often sought. Using the five tips below, you won’t need that lifetime membership at the neighborhood pharmacy after all.
1. Have A Nap
With all the technological advancement being made these days, unlimited data plans, smartphones and organizations peddling round the clock availability of their various services to consumers, it is no wonder employees are under a lot of pressure to always be available. Yes, you guessed right, sleep time often bears the brunt of the 24/7 work culture. Turns out humans are not smart devices neither are they on par with the Energizer bunny that goes on and on. That headache could just be your body retaliating for not being allowed to rest.
Even a 20-minute nap can make a huge difference. Want to do it right for once? Lockdown between 7 – 8 hours of sleep per night and endeavor to maintain stable sleep patterns by sleeping and waking up at specific times to refresh your body. So put down the coffee beans, step away from the coffee maker and hit the sack for a change. Your head will thank you for it.
2. Alternate Temperatures
When it comes to headaches, there is no one size fits all approach. How you choose to handle a headache depends largely on determining what kind of headache it is. Not sure what kind it is? You do not necessarily need medical certification to figure it out. The location of the pain can be very telling. Does it hurt around the back of your neck and forehead? That is a tension headache. Or is the pounding around your temples? That is more likely a migraine.
For tension headaches, applying heat is your best bet. Fashion out a warm compress then place it on your neck and forehead to warm up and loosen taut muscles. As the muscles relax, pain reduces. Cold has a numbing effect and dulls the throbbing in your temples. An icepack placed on the temples helps to cool the blood and reduce painful swelling with relief being felt within minutes.
3. Work Out
Yes, you heard that right, working out is a great drug-free way to stop that headache in its tracks. Sounds sort of counterproductive especially with all the banging going on in your head and all you want to do is curl up somewhere snug. Don’t give in to that urge, strap on your track shoes, grab your dumbbells and take a walk. The idea is to get your juices flowing and relieve muscle tension.
So do not let the sound of exercise scare you, an Ironman Triathlon style grueling work out is not required, some light cardio in the form of a quick jog around the block would do to reduce the frequency of migraine. Prefer to pretty much stay in one spot? Try out some yoga and stretching exercises until you break a sweat. The relief you will feel after is sure worth the discipline needed to suck it up and get moving.
4. Drink Up
Don’t go getting excited and pick up the wine glass. That sort of drinking will not ease up that headache. Dehydration has been known to exacerbate headaches so you will need to keep your body hydrated. What you drink also matters as well as the quantity. Loading up on caffeinated beverages or soft drinks could worsen your headaches. Plain old water works as well as some Gatorade or any other electrolyte containing drink.
With all the contaminated water out there, sticking your cup under every tap is the quickest way to end up with health problems worse than the headache. Stay safe and get a filtered water bottle. Fill it up from trusted water sources and drink up on the go. Studies have revealed that vitamin deficiency is a significant contributory factor to frequent headaches. With a vitamin-rich diet, you could very easily treat that headache. So eat right and pop multivitamins while taking a swig from that filtered water bottle of yours to shut down that headache.
5. Get A Good Rub Down
A rub down of your head area with a focus on your forehead, temples, and back of the neck would work wonders for headache relief. A deep massage with light pressure put on the migraine-specific locations would coax your brain into relaxing. The massage tricks your brain into dispersing the pressure building up in the brain to other areas while easing up on your head.
You could rub in some Vicks VapoRub into your temples while massaging. The menthol in the balm has a numbing and cooling effect which in turn alleviates pain. The hot and cold feel of this balm can be very relaxing and stress relieving. Not a big fan of menthol? Using aromatic oils is another good alternative which would give the same effect; peppermint extract and eucalyptus oil to name a few. And if needles don’t scare you, acupuncture is another form of massage to consider for the relief of those annoying migraines.
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