HEADACHE TIPS
Headache Basics
FACT: Headaches Affect Nearly 90% of Men and 95% of Women All kinds of pains are bad. But there is nothing as mentally exhausting as a headache. It affects our well-being, our productivity and even our social existence. After a headache we feel mentally drained and physically exhausted. But then we come to the interesting question, should a bad headache keep a good man down? To find a solution to this question, it is important that we understand more about headaches. Headaches are of...
Keep a headache diary to assist with headache prevention
Maintain a headache diary. I know that the idea might sound strange but I really mean it. This is something that every one who suffers from headaches should do. The person should closely monitor himself or herself. The factors that person should take into account are food and beverage intake, weather conditions, stress and menstrual cycles. Try to identify the causes that lead to the headache or in other words the causes that trigger off the headache. Find out how often and how...
Migraines
A migraine is a splitting headache that just seems to set in apparently due to no reason at all. The reasons for a migraine are mainly vascular. That means that certain changes in the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain trigger of the pain. Of course, the causes for the changes in the blood vessels may vary from person to person but this is generally how it starts. Migraines are easily the most common headache syndrome. It affects 10 to 15 percent of the global population. One...
Infection and headaches
A gentle shake of your head can tell you if you have a sinus infection. If you move your head even slightly, the pain will increase and this is a good method of deciding whether the headache is actually due to a sinus infection. If you have a sinus infection, do not shake your head as the pain will increase. Another method is to try bending over. The moment you lower your head you will feel as if there is something heavy inside your head. If doing so leads you to discover you have a sinus...
Sinus headaches
Sinus problems, too, give rise to headaches. The sinuses are small spaces in the facial bones just below the facial skin. The spaces are concentrated in the nasal region, temples and around the eyes. Sometimes, due to infection, these spaces get inflamed with mucus and infected as well. This leads to the headache that is the result of sinusitis. There are many causes for sinusitis including allergy, a deviated nasal septum, severe cold, enlarged parts in side the nose, and acute ongoing...
Steam inhalation for sinus headaches
Try steam inhalation for headache pain. This is especially true for those who have a sinus problem. Steam inhalation is an excellent way of clearing all the spaces inside. If you have an infection too, a steam inhalation can be very soothing. But there is a word of caution that I have to offer here. Be very careful about you eyes. Remember that it is not advisable to expose your eyes to steam and so take care to protect your eyes when you are inhaling steam. Another thing that you...
Accupressure for sinus headaches
Know your sinus points and use the acupressure method to treat your self and rid yourself of the pain. The best thing about the acupressure method is that it has no side effects. It is something that you can do completely on your own and if you are doing it properly, you can get almost instant relief. I have described the steps in detail in the points that follow, try doing it and I promise you, you will be glad that you did it. 1. First of all you have to get a clear idea of where...
Tension headaches
Tension headaches are very common. The pain comes from tight muscles in the neck or scalp, or from trigger points (tight ropey knots or bands) within those muscles. Tension headaches can be caused by poor posture or muscle strain. Trigger points are long lasting and easily irritated. Even after a tension headache has calmed down, it can easily recur if the trigger points are still there. Stress and anxiety can be causes for tension headaches. The moment such a person gets tense...
Shower stretching for tension headache
Here are some more exercises for that tension headache... You have to understand that the tension headache comes purely from tight cervical and neck muscles. When muscles become tight, what actually happens is that lactic acid gets accumulated in them. Under ordinary conditions, when a muscle works, glucose gets converted into carbon dioxide and water. The blood easily removes these two waste materials. But when a muscle has to work for too long or for tow hard the energy demand...
Accupressure for tension headache
An exercise that will help you get rid of a tension related headache. This is an exercise that is usually done by an expert but I assure you that it is perfectly safe to do it on your own as well. 1. Place your right hand on the top of your head or let it rest on your forehead. 2. Now gently turn your head towards the right. This will clear the left side of your neck so that your left hand can have easy access to it. 3. Now place the palm of your left hand on the back of...
Avoid tension headaches by preventing eyestrain
Tension headaches can be triggered by eyestrain, so its important you look after your eyes. If you have a family history pf poor eyesight get yourself examined periodically. Most vision defects are hereditary so if one of your parents started using glasses at an early age, there is 25% chance that you might have the same problem as well. If you use glasses or contacts, check your eyes periodically. Once you develop a defect with your vision it is a very good thing to get yourself...
Headaches, allergies and sensitivities
To avoid headaches, breathe plenty of fresh air. Avoid stuffy rooms. Stuffy rooms mean that obviously there is not enough air in the room. If the room smells musty too it is a good idea to get out f the room or open all the windows and doors and let the fresh air come in. It is also not good for you to sleep in a room that does not have proper ventilation. Even if the A/C is turned on, try to also turn on the fan to circulate the air. Find out if you have any allergies or...
Headaches and smoking
Quit smoking if you can. Smoking can affect your head in a very bad way. In fact smoking affects the functioning of every part of your body. When you smoke you are actually submitting your body and the various mechanisms that go on to the power of a very strong alkaloid that is nicotine. So if you can quit smoking by all means do. It will help you live a better life and can contribute much towards eliminating your headache. In fact, if your headache goes away when you start smoking it...
Headaches: Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises help you breathe better and release the toxins in your brain. The human body takes in a lot of toxic substances, both through the air and through food and drink. Apart from this, various toxins are also released in the body as a result of the various processes that are going on. These toxins have to be released on a continuous basis or else they will accumulate in the body with serious results. One of the best ways of releasing these toxins is by means of exhaling...
Exercise for headache health
Exercise is a good way to prevent headaches. Exercise is a wonderful way of increasing the blood flow to the various organs and parts of your body. So if you can develop a regular exercise pattern, you will in fact be ensuring a better blood circulation and proper supply of oxygen to the various cells of the body. However, it goes without saying that you should not try to exercise if you are already experiencing a headache. A couple of centuries ago, people were involved in a lot of...
Medications and headaches
Each time you get a headache do not reach for your aspirin. Some headaches go by themselves. Do not make you body dependent on aspirin. Consult with your doctor specifically for your headaches. Many people feel queasy about going to a doctor with something as insignificant as a headache. But the fact is that there is nothing insignificant about a headache. It is one of the most maddening things in the world. Every year the nation loses millions of dollars worth of productive days...
Headaches and sleep
Try to get a good night's sleep. A good night's sleep is very important to keep away headaches. "Sleep is one of the most basic and universal activities in which we all engage. Yet, getting to sleep, staying asleep, and waking refreshed can be highly elusive to most of us some of the time, and many of us all of the time. The National Sleep Foundation reports (2002) that America is on the verge of a poor sleep epidemic, characterized by the following eye-opening statistics: * 64%...
Headaches and the sun
If you have to go out in the sun, protect your head using a hat or a cap. The sun has many benefits as far as health is concerned, but if you expose yourself directly to the sun, you are likely to end up with a headache. The heat from the sun can bring about vascular changes and alter the delicate balance of the various fluids inside the brain. This in all likelihood will precipitate as a whale of a headache. That is why it is imperative that you protect your head with a cap or a hat when...
Headaches and getting wet
Do not wash your head in hot water. It can trigger off a lot of vascular changes that can do more harm than good. So though a hot bath may be stimulating to your body it is not the best thing that you can give your head. Take a steam bath if you want to but try to keep your head above the steamy fumes. Cold water is best for your head so keep it that way. And mind you, by cold water we are not referring to chilled water. Do not let water get into your ears. This is especially true if...
Headaches and noise
Too much noise is bad for you. In fact sound pollution is one of the causes for headaches to become so prevalent. The best thing that you can do is stay away from all sources of loud noise and that includes noisy kids as well. Plug your ears if you are moving into a loud sound zone. Use ear plugs, ear muffs or thick wads of cotton. Most grocery stores and convenience stores carry sound-reducing and sound-blocking earplugs, many of which are not too noticeable. Contrary to popular...
Sitting posture and headaches
The wrong sitting posture can result in a headache. If you do not sit properly when you are working you could crap the muscles of your neck and shoulders. Remember that if the muscles of you neck are cramped it will result in a headache. The following tips will hap you to get the correct posture * Never slouch in your chair. * Try to sit as erect as possible. * Instead of bending over, try to hold whatever you have to do up so that your neck is straight. * Try and get...
Massage for headaches
Touch therapy is a new technique that is just becoming available to cure headaches. A lot of research is going on this area and even now experts have not been able to identify how touch therapy can help in healing. The best possible explanation is that our bodies are in fact tuned to respond to the touches of others. When we were babies our mother's touch was perhaps the most reassuring thing in the world. In fact experts are baffled by the way new born babies are able to distinguish...
Eye exercises for headache prevention
Eye exercises are good for you. Below you can find tips on how to exercise your eyes. 1. Stare straight ahead of you preferably at a distant object. 2. Close your eyes and let any glimmers of light fade away. 3. Now open your eyes and move your eye balls to the extreme top of your eye sockets and keep them there for a few seconds. 4. Now move them down to the extreme bottom and keep them there for a few seconds. 5. Next, move them to the extreme left. 6. Then bring...
Tips to avoid hangover headaches
A hangover usually sets in after the consumption of alcohol. The following tips can help you avoid a hang over headache. * The hangover headache is usually the result of dehydration so if you increase your intake of water, you can keep a hangover headache at bay. * Dilute your drink with water instead of soda. The more water you take in, the better. * Never start drinking on an empty stomach * Drink a glass of milk one or two hours before you leave for the party. *...
Headaches: watch what you drink.
What you're drinking can give you headaches, and we don't just mean hangover headaches! Try the following tips to reduce the incidence of your headaches. Quit drinking alchohol if it is a habit. Reduce your alcohol consumption to only 2 - 3 glasses a week. If headaches persist, try to quit completely. Coffee is actually bad for you. Just like nicotine, caffeine in coffee is bad for you. If you have the habit of drinking a cup of coffee at a fixed time every day, you will in all...
Headache-free dressing: think loose
Dress suitably when you are indoors as well as outdoors. Your choice of what to wear must be in complete harmony with the weather conditions and the temperature around you. You have to understand that too much is just as bad as too little. If you wrap yourself up tightly all the time you are in fact restricting the flow of blood to certain parts of the body. Ties and scarves must be avoided as much a s possible and if you have to wear these, try to keep them as loose as possible...
Nutrition for Headache Health
Yes, what and when you eat can give you a headache. Do not skip meals and go about hungry. Eat at fixed times. Hunger is the worst enemy of a person who is prone to migraine attacks. When you miss meals or have meals at times other than normal, you are actually depriving your body of the much needed energy. The body will seek out alternative measure that is it will start working on fat reserves but the fats cannot be easily converted to sugars which the body desperately needs. So when...
Prevent headaches from working at the computer
Do not work continuously on your computer for more than half an hour. This in fact is a very relative concept because some people tire faster than other when working on the computer. Computer screens emit radiation, so the less time in front of the computer, the better. Or switch to one of the newer, flat plasma screens which are much easier on the eyes. If you feel that your eyes are under strain, take a break. The best relaxation for your eyes is staring at a distant object or just...
Prevent eyestrain headaches with gentle eye massage
If you are feeling some strain or tiredness in your eyes, try massaging your eyes gently. Please remember that your eyes are unlike any other part of your body so you have to take very good care of them. The same holds true when it comes to massaging your eyes as well. * When you massage your eyes take care to use only the soft balls of your fingers. * Do not use your finger tips because your nails could give you scratches. * The best fingers to massage your eyes with are the...
Avoid headaches when watching television
The room with your television should be properly lit. Watching television in the dark unnecessarily strains your eyes. Make sure to always turn on a lamp or overhead light. In the ideal conditions, the light source should be placed in such a way that the glare des not reflect on the screen. Do not sit too close to your television set. Take care to sit a considerable distance from the screen. It is easier for your eyes to focus on the images that flash across your TV screen. It is...
Avoid eyestrain headaches from reading & close work
While doing work that requires you to strain your eyes, take breaks every five minutes. This is especially true for jobs like needle work and works involving electronic gadgets. If you find it difficult to read, get your eyes tested by an oculist. If you find yourself squinting or your eyes watering while you read or do any fine work, then you might need glasses. So do not waste time, consult a doctor at the earliest time possible. Faulty vision is a major cause of headaches. Be...
Tips on preventing stress induced headaches
Try to keep your mind free from worries. Listening to music or taking a nap is a good way to clear the mind. If you feel stressed up, try to relax. Scented candles, warm bathes, and soothing music may help you relax. Try to keep from getting too frustrated, whether it is caused by work, taking care of the kids, or other factors. When you feel yourself loosing control, take a step back and take 10 deep breaths. Frustration can easily bring on a tension headache. Avoid...
De-stress yourself for hedache prevention
De-stress yourself. This is particularly true for those who suffer from tension headaches. Below I have included some tips on how to de-stress. Try to focus on the 'here' and the 'now' and not on the tomorrow or the yesterday. After all we all live in todays and not in yesterdays and tomorrows! Listen to soft music, preferably without ear phones. Prayer is an excellent way of de-stressing yourself. Meditation: Meditation brings with it peace of mind as we learn to...
The Mind Settling Procedure for prevention of stress headaches
Practice yoga to relax. It sounds simple, but it really does work. Here is a simple yoga mind settling procedure: 1. Sit comfortably in silence with your eyes closed for 30 seconds. 2. Perform a brief body massage. (Some meditation traditions recommend that the massage be executed slightly differently for men and women, and I would like to describe these recommendations here. To be frank with you I am not clear as to why these gender-related differences exist, or if the need for...
Face packs for headache relief
Face packs can be a cooling and soothing way to relax and find some headache relief. So apply a soothing face pack. Face packs are a wonderful way of de-stressing yourself. Many grocery stores and beauty supply stores carry them. You can make your own face pack at home using things that are 100% safe on your skin: 1) One of the best face packs that I have come across that is equally effective for a sinus headache as well as a tension headache is a curd face pack. What you...