How to Beat Headaches?

Headaches occur. The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to relieve discomfort without visiting a doctor. Try these suggestions to feel better quickly.

Try a Cold Pack

If you have a migraine, apply a cold pack on your forehead. A bag of frozen veggies, ice cubes wrapped in a towel, or even a cold shower may help relieve pain. Keep the compress on your head for 15 minutes, followed by a 15-minute break.

Use a Heating Pad or Hot Compress

Place a warm heating pad on your neck or the back of your head if you have a tension headache. If you have a sinus headache, apply a warm cloth to the painful spot. A warm shower may also be beneficial.

Ease Pressure on Your Scalp or Head

A headache can occur if your ponytail is excessively tight. These “external compression headaches” can also be caused by wearing an overly tight helmet, headband, or swimming goggles. You can adjust the pressure until you feel comfortable. 

Dim the Lights

Migraine headaches can be caused by bright or flickering light, even from your computer screen. Cover your windows with blackout curtains during the day if you are sensitive to light. Wear sunglasses when going outside to avoid light glare triggering headache. 

Install anti-glare screens on your computer and replace your light fixtures with daylight-spectrum fluorescent lights. These will minimize the effect of light to cause headaches.

Avoid chewing too much

Chewing too much can cause headaches as well as jaw pain. The same is true for chewing your fingernails, lips, the inside of your cheeks, or objects such as pens.

Avoid meals that are too chewy, crunchy or sticky. If possible, take small and manageable bites.

If you have teeth bruxism, ask your dentist about a mouth guard. A mouth guard will stop you from grinding your teeth while sleeping. Alleviating your unconscious teeth grinding habit will alleviate your morning headache. 

Hydrate

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause or make a headache worse. 

Abstain from any caffeinated drinks

Avoid drinking any caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, energy drink or coke. It may worsen the headache as caffeinated drinks may further dehydrate your body.

If you are trying to cut down caffeinated drink consumption, do not cut down immediately as immediate caffeine withdrawal may trigger a headache. Instead, withdraw gently by cutting down the amount of caffeinated drinks day by day.

Practice relaxation

Learning how to relax when suffering from a headache, whether through stretches, yoga, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation, can help alleviate the discomfort. If you have muscle spasms in your neck, talk to your doctor about physical therapy.

Try massage

You can do it on your own. A few minutes of massaging your forehead, neck, and temples will help relieve a tension headache caused by stress. Alternatively, apply gentle rotating pressure to the uncomfortable spot.

Take some ginger

Consuming ginger in addition to regular over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help to relieve migraine. The ginger’s effectiveness in overcoming migraines and headaches is comparable to OTC pain relievers. 

To consume ginger effectively, make ginger tea by brewing tea in hot water with several slices of ginger. 

Use Meds in Moderation

Painkillers for all types of headaches can be found on pharmacy shelves. Follow the directions on the label before consuming.  Following advice is to achieve the maximum benefits with the least risks from painkiller consumption:

• Choose liquid over pills. Your body absorbs it more quickly.
• If you have heart or kidney failure, avoid ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs). Ask your doctor for the best headache painkiller.
• A youngster under the age of 18 should not be given aspirin.
• Take pain relievers as soon as you feel any discomfort due to headache or migraine onset. You’ll probably be able to beat it with a smaller dose before your headache or migraine progresses. 
• Consult with your doctor if your headache is very painful to a point interrupting your life quality. 
• Consult your doctor about how to avoid a rebound headache. Rebound headache is when your headache comes back even after you had a pain reliever. 

When to call your doctor

Seek medical care right away for:

• A headache caused by a head injury
• A headache accompanied by dizziness, vision problem,  speech difficulties, confusion, or other neurological signs
• A severe headache that appears out of nowhere
• A headache that getting worse even after taking pain relievers