What is Headache or migraine?

Headache is one of the most common-discomfort. And can be the results of an argument, sitting in a smoky room or lack of sleep. A gentle massage, rest and an aspirin tablet wards off pain. But for many people the headache is chronic and doesn’t go away.

 

Symptoms of Headache

1. Throughout the head, at the temples, forehead or at the back of the neck, there maybe dull steady pain (Tension Headache).
2. Pulsating pain with recurrent headaches; and accompanied by runny nose, vomiting, visual disturbances, light-headedness and nausea. These headaches may occur 1 to 4 times a month and last from 4 to 72 hours (Depression Headache).
3. Usually strikes at night or in the early morning; Steady piercing pain, located behind or around one eye or in one temple.

Causes of Headache or migraine

1. Migraines – It usually occurs on one side of the head due to abnormal expansion and contraction of the blood vessels in and around the brain. It starts with a distortion in the vision. Environmental changes (changes in weather, strong odors and glaring lights), emotional factors, substances in foods and hormonal changes are factors that can aggravate migraine.
2. Depression Headaches – They are persistent, muscle-contraction headache that are accompanied by suicidal thoughts, sleeplessness and lethargy.
3. Tension Headaches – These are also called stress or muscle contraction headaches. It mild and everyone experiences it. It may be caused by restricted blood flow or sustained muscle tension. Too much or too little sleep, fatigue, tensing head and neck muscles, grinding your teeth and gum chewing are the factors that influence tension headache.
4. Cluster Headache – These occur daily for days, weeks or months and strike in a group. Pain is centered on one side of the head. The pain is steady and piercing. Heavy drinking and smoking are other contributing factors. Poor posture, hangover, poor lighting, eyestrain and blood pressure are other causes.

Home Remedies for Headache

1. By getting to the source you will resolve underlying stressful problems in life and your headache will disappear.
2. Adjust your seat, table and posture, when working on a computer terminal, so that you don’t have to bend your neck for long periods.
3. Tension-headaches can be relieved, by applying moist heat to the back of the neck or a hot shower or bath.
4. Shifting attention away from pain by meditation provides relaxation to the body (the mind is free from destructive thoughts). Muscle relaxation is another technique.
5. Regular exercise may prevent some headaches, by relieving tension.
6. Headband provides consistent pressure, and provides partial relief from migraine headaches.
7. For tension headaches massaging in the forehead, temples and neck promotes relaxation and offers relief.
8. Running cold water on the head; and reusable gel packs kept in the freezer, when wrapped around the neck during a headache may provide relief.
9. Painkillers can be taken for most common headaches, but not for long.

How to prevent headaches

1. To prevent tension headaches avoid poor posture and eyestrain.
2. Keep an eye on foods and beverages that cause you headaches.
3. Oversleeping should be avoided in migraine headaches.
4. Relaxation and regular exercise can help prevent headaches.