Struggling with Recurrent Headaches? Try These Home Remedies That Really Work Try a Cold Pack
By Nmami Life Editorial 31-Aug 2020 Reading Time: 5 Mins
Headaches could be tough to deal with and while amid the pandemic and work from home culture, many of us have become more vulnerable or have already started experiencing frequent episodes of headache.
We have gathered a bunch of tips to help you handle your headache days better:
- Hydrate well
The first thing to try to get rid of a headache without drugs is to drink water or an electrolyte beverage. This helps because dehydration is a common cause of a headache. This is especially useful to get rid of a headache that results from drinking alcoholic beverages (a hangover headache). Ideally, choose an electrolyte beverage without artificial colors and sweeteners as these can add to a headache. If you are a diabetic, choose carefully and check the sugar content.
- Use a Heating Pad or Hot Compress
If you have a migraine, place a cold pack on your forehead. It could be ice cubes wrapped in a towel, a bag of frozen peas, or even a cold shower may lessen the pain. Keep the compress on your head for 15 minutes, and then take a break for 15 minutes.
If you have a tension headache, place a heating pad on your neck or the back of your head. If you have a sinus headache, hold a warm cloth to the area that hurts. A warm shower might also do the trick.
- Practice Relaxation
Whether it’s stretches, yoga, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation, learning how to stay calm and relax when you’re in the middle of a headache can help with the pain. You might even talk to your doctor about physical therapy if you have muscle spasms in your neck.
- Try Massage
You can do it yourself. A nice champi can definitely help you feel relaxed. A few minutes massaging your neck and temples can help ease a tension headache, which may result from stress.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be an effective technique for certain headaches, like chronic headaches and migraines. The acupuncturist will assess the type of headache with a diagnosis, and treat the headache accordingly with needles in certain places along the energy meridians.
- Aromatherapy
Essential oils are used as home remedies for a variety of ailments. An essential oil is a concentrated liquid extracted from a plant. Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy based on the use of essential oils. Aromatherapists believe that each essential oil offers a different set of health benefits. You can use lavender oil by putting some drops on pillow or inhaling some throughout the day.
Over to you
Take medicines in moderation. Pharmacy shelves are stocked with pain relievers for all kinds of headaches but it should be avoided as far as possible. Ask your doctor what to take to avoid a rebound headache — pain that sets in after a few days of taking pain relievers. And be sure to consult to your doctor about what headache symptoms you should not try to treat at home.