Home Remedy Treatments for Headaches

There are as many as two dozen different types of headaches. Each of these types belong to one of the following three categories; tension, vascular, or organic.

Tension headaches are the most common of the three. There are several factors that can trigger tension headaches, including but not limited to, depression, everyday stress, and body tension. Tension headaches are not typically severe. They generally cause a dull pain that is usually accompanied by a sensation of tightness in the neck and scalp.

If you are a sufferer of tension headaches, you may want to try some of the following tips for relief of your headache pain.

1. Relax. Tension and stress cause headaches. Try to find ways to relax your mind and body. Take a few deep breaths and think pleasantly. Chances are, you will shake that nasty headache if it was triggered by an unpleasant situation.

2. Lie down. If you feel a headache is about to strike, go lie down for about 30 minutes to an hour with your eyes closed. Lying down is one of the best ways to relieve headache pain. The sooner you lie down and close your eyes, the sooner your headache pain will dissipate.

3. Keep the sunshine out! Bright light can definitely cause headaches. It can also worsen the pain of an existing headache. Some experts say that resting in a dark room can help to alleviate headache pain faster.

4. Use a cold compress. A nice cool washcloth draped across the forehead or placed over the eyes can be very soothing when headache pain arises. You could also use a frozen gel or ice pack instead of a washcloth for a longer lasting cool. After the onset of your headache, use this method of relief as soon as possible for the best results. Most people report relief within 20 minutes if a cold compress is applied right away.

5. Try something a little warmer. If the cold compress isn't doing the trick or feels uncomfortable, try using a warm or hot compress instead. Place a warm washcloth over your eyes or forehead for about 30 minutes. A warm compress placed across the back of the neck can also provide great relief for a headache caused by various body tensions. Reheat your compress as needed.

6. Try an over the counter pain reliever. If no other methods are helping to alleviate your headache pain, try taking an OTC pain pill such as, Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Try to avoid frequent usage of pain relievers as they may cause headache pain to worsen when used too often. Always use medications properly and follow the instructions for dosage carefully.

7. Avoid using items that trigger headaches. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming products containing caffeine can be causes of headaches. Try to avoid or abstain from such habits. If you are unable to avoid them completely, try to use them in moderation.

8. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Keeping a normal bedtime is a great way to prevent headaches. Try to wake up and fall asleep at about the same time each day and night. A regular sleep schedule can make a huge difference in the probability of getting a headache.

Follow these methods to relieve your headache pain and discomfort. Remember, if your headaches are persistent, frequent or severe, be sure to discuss them with a medical professional.