Headaches are discomfort in your head, scalp or neck that may be brought on by stress; other times they’re indicative of another medical condition.
Migraines are severe headaches characterized by throbbing or pulsing sensations that make you sensitive to light and sound, lead to nausea or vomiting and last hours or days. Preventative measures may include learning your triggers and taking medication.
Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress to the skin may help ease pain by slowing nerve transmission, meaning fewer pain signals reach the brain.
Additionally, a cool sensation can provide relief from pain by distracing from it and relaxing, which in turn may decrease it further. A cold compress is an effective tool in managing tension headaches, sinus headaches and migraines symptoms.
Cold compression therapy uses different forms, from homemade plastic bags filled with ice and water, frozen bag of peas or an instant cold pack, which are all easily available over-the-counter or stored in your refrigerator, freezer or first aid kit. A popular cold gel headband fits snugly onto the forehead and can easily be exchanged out for new ice packs when necessary – several studies have found this nonpharmacological approach effective in managing migraine symptoms.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are an instant go-to when it comes to muscle strains, headaches, or backaches – yet choosing between all these options can be dauntingly overwhelming. With such an assortment of pills, liquids, and creams out there it can be hard to know which will provide the relief that’s best suited to you and your individual situation.
Most over-the-counter (OTC) treatments fall into two broad categories: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Each works on different parts of the brain to ease pain and lower fevers; each drug comes with its own risks and side effects, so it’s essential that you read labels thoroughly and follow dosage directions to get optimal results.
While over-the-counter (OTC) medicines may provide quick relief, it’s always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider about preventive medication if headaches or migraines are common for you. Also ask them about any treatments available such as nausea or vomiting relief through medication.
Stress Management
Stress-related headaches can be debilitating, yet not as prevalent as migraines. These generalized aches that cover your entire head don’t target specific spots like eyes like migraines do; there are ways to decrease overall stress levels which could ease headaches as a result.
Not only has exercise been proven to help individuals relax, but other relaxing activities such as meditation and deep breathing have also proven successful in doing so. Massage has also proven helpful by loosening tension from muscles and ligaments.
Changes to diet may be effective at relieving stress and headaches, including eliminating caffeine-rich beverages; foods high in salt, sugar, preservatives and gluten that could trigger headaches; as well as monitoring it to make sure none are being overconsumed. Furthermore, rest is an integral component in managing stress and headaches – getting adequate rest will give you energy needed to prevent overworking yourself and therefore decrease headaches.
Medication
There are various prescription medicines that can help relieve headaches, including narcotics, barbiturates and neuropathic pain relievers. Antidepressants may also help, particularly for migraine sufferers.
Over-the-counter medicines can be useful, but relying too heavily on them may lead to tolerance and medication overuse headache. Furthermore, certain combinations (Aspirin + Ibuprofen + Acetaminophen) increase heartburn risk as well as ulcer formation in your digestive system; children should never take aspirin due to Reye’s syndrome risk.
For severe headaches, doctors may recommend injectable triptans like sumatriptan or rimegepant. These medicines work quickly to relieve migraine symptoms without leading to medication overuse headaches like painkillers do. If you suffer from frequent or chronic headaches, it’s essential that you follow your medication schedule faithfully and keep a headache diary so your physician can identify which treatments are most effective in managing them.
