Home Remedies for Headaches

Most people have headaches at least occasionally. Others suffer from chronic headache pain. Whatever category you fall into, you'll likely want to get rid of your headaches as soon as possible, preferably without resorting to mega doses of drugs. If you'd like to eliminate or at least reduce the frequency and severity of your headache pain without taking medication regularly, try these home remedies for headaches.

1. Healthy Sleep Habits for Headache Prevention and Treatment

Many people find that getting some sleep helps a headache to go away, but it's important not to sleep excessively. In fact, excessive sleep, such as sleeping in on the weekend can actually bring on a headache.

Also, although a nap may help a headache to go away, if you take a nap when you don't have a headache, you may find you have a headache when you wake up from the nap.

It's also important to pay attention to your sleep position. Many people find that sleeping on their stomach or their side causes them to twist their neck into awkward positions which results in neck tightness which can lead to headaches. If you suffer from headaches regularly, you may find it beneficial to sleep on your back rather than your stomach or your side.

Additionally, people who have headaches that are triggered by muscle tension in their neck may find that the problem is reduced or eliminated if they give up sleeping with a pillow. Sleeping without a pillow takes some getting used to, but once people adjust, they can sleep very comfortably without a pillow.

2. Select the Right Temperature for Headache Prevention and Treatment

Some people find that an icepack placed over their forehead or a cool, wet wash cloth placed over the forehead and/or eyes helps relieve headache pain, while others find that heat, either in the form of a hot shower or from a heated pack placed on the neck helps to reduce headache pain.

Most people who suffer from migraine headaches find relief from cool treatment, while most who have tensions headaches find relief from warmth. Experiment to see what works best for you.

3. Develop Good Eating (and Drinking) Habits for Headache Prevention and Treatment

As much as possible, eat on a schedule. Skipping a meal or failing to eat at your normal time can cause muscle tension which can result in a headache. Additionally, skipping meals causes blood pressure to drop, and the blood vessels in the brain to contract. When you resume eating, the blood vessels expand, resulting in a headache.

Avoid foods that are known to cause headaches. For example, lunchmeat and hot dogs contain nitrates which cause blood vessels to dilate, which leads to headaches. Other common headache-causing foods include chocolate, nuts, and aged cheeses. These foods contain tyramine, which causes headaches in some people.

It's also important to season your food with care. Many people suffer headaches after ingesting food prepared with MSG, and excessive amounts of salt also causes headaches.

Finally, think before you drink. Too much caffeine causes blood vessels to dilate, which causes headaches in some people. Limit yourself to not more than two cups of coffee per day. Instead, drink plenty of water. Adequate water consumption isn't guaranteed to reduce headaches, but many headache sufferers have benefitted from reducing their coffee and soda consumption while increasing their water intake.

4. Apply Pressure for Headache Prevention and Treatment

Apply pressure where your head and neck come together and rub, with your fingers or thumbs, in a circular motion. Use the same technique on your forehead, temples, and even your jaw area if you suffer from TMJ dysfunction.

A tightly worn headband will also decrease the blood flow to the brain and reduce pounding migraine pain.

Finally, press on the web area between your forefinger and thumb until you feel pain. Release, and then repeat as needed.

5. Give Your Eyes and Ears a Break for Headache Prevention and Treatment

As much as possible, block out excessive light. You can do this by resting in a dark room and wearing sunglasses when you're out and about. It's also important to take a break from excessive time on the computer. If you have to be on the computer all day for work, look away from the computer at least once every hour. Get up to walk away from the computer if at all possible many times throughout the day.

Also, block out excessive sound. Turn the T.V. and radio off, get in a room alone, and shut the door to block out sound coming from your family members or coworkers.

Following these home remedies for headaches may not completely eliminate headache pain, but they should help to at least reduce the frequency and severity of headache pain.

Sources for Home Remedies for Headaches:

www.mothernature.com

www.homeremedies.com