Pain in the Head

Sinus Headache: A sinus headache can be temporarily alleviated by drinking hot fluids, such as chicken soup or hot tea. If fluids don't help your headache, take a Tylenol. If the Tylenol doesn't work, try an over the counter nasal spray. If after 48 hours you still have the sinus headache, your doctor can prescribe a prescription spray.

Brain Freeze: If you have ever eaten ice cream too fast, you know what a horrible headache brain freeze can be. For migraine sufferers, brain freeze can be brought on by a number of foods including chocolate and cured meat. A lighter form of this headache can be brought on by lack of sleep, stress or even having sex. This headache pain will last anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes, depending on your body. A mild case of brain freeze can be helped by placing a cold object (like a piece of ice) on your inner wrist. If available, some doctors recommend swallowing a pinch of salt if you feel an ice cream headache coming on.

Tension Headache: Ever feel like your head is caught in a vice? That feeling is the most common symptom of a tension headache. This form of headache is most often caused by muscular tension in the neck. This headache, believe it or not, can be prevented by swimming for a half hour two or three times per week. A neck and back massage can also alleviate a tension headache. If you are prone to tension headaches, avoid stressful situations.

Migraine Headaches: Migraine headaches are reoccurring headaches that give the sufferer pain on both sides of their head. The best cure for a migraine headache is prevention. A person wishing to avoid a headache should also avoid stress, sleep depravation, and over consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Exercise during a migraine headache will most likely intensify the headaches effects. A well timed cup of coffee can ease a migraine headache and some doctors suggest countering a migraine headache with a quick brain freeze headache (I.E eat ice cream very quickly).

"Other" Headache cures: Most Americans mistake hunger and thirst. Sometimes the best cure for a headache is a large glass of water. Taking vitamin B-12 also helps prevent some common headaches. Juice is wonderful for a hunger or thirst headache, as it replenishes the electrolytes in your body. Hangovers (strictly for the overage crowd) have the worst headaches imaginable. Whatever you do, do NOT take a Tylenol, Aspirin, or any other over the counter headache medication as a preventative on the night you drink. By taking a pain killer with your alcohol, you run a substantial risk of exploding your liver.