13 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Headaches At Home

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

13 ways to get rid of headaches at home

Headache is the most common problem that some people face every day. It can cause temporary inconvenience, or it can make everyday life unbearable.

All types of headaches are divided into:

• Tension pain - occurs after excessive emotional or physical exertion.
• Cluster headache - passes in the form of attacks (clusters).
• A migraine is a persistent pain that can range from moderate to severe in intensity.

In pharmacies, there are a lot of pharmacological preparations that relieve symptoms. People with chronic headaches should look at natural treatments.

Here are 13 simple home remedies that can effectively and naturally relieve headaches at home.

Content:

1. Drink enough water
2. Add magnesium to your diet
3. Eliminate alcohol
4. Get adequate sleep
5. Limit foods containing histamine
6. Use essential oils
7. Take B vitamins
8. Try a cold compress
9. Take Coenzyme Q10
10. Drink caffeinated coffee or tea
11. Try acupuncture
12. Avoid strong odors
13. Drink ginger tea

Instead of a conclusion

1. Drink enough water

Water deficiency can be a triggering factor for headaches. Several independent studies have shown that chronic dehydration leads to the development of headaches, migraines from overexertion. Drinking water relieves painful symptoms in most people with insufficient hydration. Improvement is observed in the period from 30 minutes to 3 hours. ^[1]

Dehydration of the brain affects concentration, irritability, and worsens pain symptoms. To prevent the development of a headache against a background of dehydration, it is enough to drink more water during the day, to eat foods with a high fluid content.

Read More: 7 Scientifically Based Health Benefits From Drinking Water

2. Add magnesium to your diet

One of the most important minerals for the body is magnesium. It ensures the smooth functioning of internal organs, controls the level of glucose in the blood, the transmission of nerve impulses. Magnesium preparations are an effective, harmless remedy for headache relief.

Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency is more common in people with chronic migraines than in those who do not. Patients were asked to take 600 mg of magnesium citrate per day. These measures reduced the intensity and frequency of cephalalgia attacks *. ^[2]

* Cephalalgia - frequent headache attacks.

When taking magnesium preparations, you should take into account the likelihood of side effects in the form of diarrhea, dysfunction of the digestive system. It is better to start treatment of headache with a minimum dose, gradually increasing it.

On the subject: Magnesium is the most important mineral for hypertension!

3. Eliminate alcohol

Most people who drink alcohol do not experience headaches. Some observations indicate that a third of patients suffering from systematic headache, after taking alcoholic beverages, notice a migraine attack. ^[3]

In addition, alcohol provokes tension and cluster headaches in a large number of people.

Alcohol is a vasodilator. It causes the blood vessels to dilate, making blood flow easier. In a certain category of people, such mechanisms cause headaches. Alcohol acts like antihypertensive drugs, which can cause headaches as a side effect.

When alcohol is consumed, its diuretic effect is manifested. It leads to the elimination of large amounts of electrolytes with each urination. The loss of fluid inevitably leads to dehydration, which increases the pain symptom.

4. Ensure adequate sleep

An inadequate night's sleep can harm the health of the entire body. Sleep deprivation leads to headaches in some people. One study examined the relationship between the frequency and intensity of attacks on sleep duration. It turned out that subjects who slept less than six hours a night were more likely to experience cephalalgia than those who slept longer. ^[4]

Too much sleep can also cause headaches. Finding the right amount of night rest is essential to prevent seizures. Sleep of seven to nine hours a day is considered optimal.

On the subject: 9 best foods before bed

5. Limit foods containing histamine

The chemical histamine is present in the body in a physiological form. It is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous, digestive and protective systems. Histamine is found in fermented milk products, aged cheeses, wine, beer, smoked meats.

Excessive amounts of histamine in the daily diet may contribute to migraine attacks in highly susceptible individuals. This is due to the lack of enzymes that contribute to its breakdown. Avoiding foods high in histamine from the diet can be a significant preventative measure for those suffering from headaches. ^[five]

6. Use essential oils

Essential oils are obtained from a variety of plants. They are a liquid with a high concentration of active aromatic compounds. Due to the various medicinal properties of the oils are used topically, some of them are suitable for ingestion.

In the fight against headaches, essential oils of mint and lavender give good results. They are especially important for patients for whom traditional medicines are contraindicated, such as pregnant women. The symptoms of tension headaches are relieved by rubbing peppermint oil into the whiskey. Lavender is an effective remedy for migraine attacks. It is applied to the upper lip or inhaled. ^[6]

If you create a mixture of essential oils, they will complement each other in properties. Here are some specific examples. Use cold compresses. They are applied to several places:

• Forehead.
• Whiskey.
• Neck.
• The back of the head.

4-6 drops of a special essential oil are dissolved in 100 ml of water. It is made up of 4-6 drops of lavender oil, or a few drops of lavender and the same amount of peppermint, or 3 drops of lavender, 2 of chamomile, 1 of lemon.

Also, a few drops of lavender soak a scarf and inhale the fragrance for several minutes. And 2 drops of lemon oil can be rubbed into the temples and other specified areas if a migraine starts.

Peppermint oil for headache has been used for a very long time. In ancient Greece, this method was already known. Purchase an aroma lamp and add the following mixture to it. 2 drops of lemon, 2 - chamomile, 1 - peppermint, 1 drop of marjoram oil, 2 drops - lavender.

If there is a bottle of snuff, prepare another mixture. To 1 drop of peppermint add 5 - lavender, 1 drop - lemon, 1 - nutmeg essential oil, 4 ml of sunflower oil. If headaches bother you often, a mixture of 3 of them is rubbed into the area of the temples, forehead and nape. The composition is created from 0.5 liters of ordinary water, 3 drops of mint essential oil, 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of essential wormwood.

Bath lovers can also pamper themselves by fighting headaches. The composition of orange, geranium and mint in a ratio of 2: 4: 4 helps.

7. Take B vitamins

B vitamins are essential for the normal functioning of the body. They help transform food into energy, synthesize neurotransmitters. B-Complex is a group of water-soluble trace minerals that help relieve headaches.

Research results suggest riboflavin (B2), folate (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12), and pyridoxine (B6) can help reduce the intensity of headaches. The complex of 8 B vitamins is recognized as an effective and natural way to treat cephalalgia attacks naturally. ^[7]

The advantage of B vitamins is that the water-soluble elements are easily excreted in the urine. It is almost impossible to get an overdose.

8. Try a cold compress

A cold compress can relieve severe headaches. Applying frozen compresses to the neck or head area relieves inflammation, constricts blood vessels, inhibits the conduction of nerve impulses - all this reduces pain during seizures. Observations of 28 women showed that the use of a cold gel pack relieves migraine headaches. ^[eight]

At home, you can fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap it in a towel - the compress is ready. Place it on the temples, head, or back of the neck to reduce pain.

9. Take Coenzyme Q10

The body independently synthesizes coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to convert food into energy, to protect cells from oxidation. Supplemental use of Q10 supplements is a natural and effective way to treat headaches.

A study in 80 people found that taking 100 mg of CoQ10 per day significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks. Coenzyme helps to relieve and shorten the duration of attacks. ^[nine]

Observations of 42 subjects with frequent cephalalgias showed that taking 100 mg of CoQ10 three times a day eliminates the feeling of nausea during headaches and reduces the intensity of pain.

On the subject: Medicinal herbs for the head

10. Drink coffee or caffeinated tea

Sipping coffee or tea slowly helps with headaches. Caffeine has a positive effect on the emotional background, gives a feeling of vigor, constricts the blood vessels. All these qualities have a positive effect on a person's condition during a headache attack. ^[ten]

What is the effectiveness of this generally available tool? Tea contains substances that stimulate the central nervous system. The impact is mild when compared to coffee. More oxygen flows to the brain. As a result, the patient feels calm, acts as a relaxing one. Vessels cease to suffer from spasms. The blood circulation is improved and normalized, bringing relief. Headache often occurs when there is a lack of oxygen in the blood cells, and when this deficiency is replenished, everything returns to normal.

Those who have a habit of drinking a cup of real coffee in the morning know what effect can be obtained. This substance is contained in special capsules, they are taken in medicine in the fight against migraines, as well as - if you want to increase the physiological or mental tone.

Caffeine is found in many headache medications. Among them are Kaffetin, Panadol, Pentalgin-N, Citramon. More than 50 items in total. When an attack develops, it is better not to drink cups of coffee, but to choose tea, which, by the way, also contains caffeine, and take medication.

Caffeine can potentiate the effects of some drugs used to relieve headaches, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen. It should be said that refusing coffee after long-term regular use can also cause headaches.

Green tea for headaches should be taken at the first symptoms of an attack. It is prepared slightly differently than black. To feel the result - a pinch of mint is added to the cup.

It is an excellent remedy for many headaches that cause fatigue, fatigue, PMS, vasospasm in the brain system. As a preventive measure, they drink it with a small amount of honey at least once a day on an empty stomach. The effect is similar to black tea.

The recipe is very affordable. Green tea is brewed in a clean porcelain teapot, then it is poured into a cup and a little honey is added. Don't overdo it with additives. Note that green tea lowers blood pressure, it is dangerous to drink it in one gulp.

Read more: Caffeine Content Table - Different Brands of Green and Black Tea

11. Try acupuncture

Acupuncture treatment involves stimulating acupuncture points on the body through the intradermal injection of needles. Traditional Chinese techniques have proven to be effective in many experiments.

At least 22 studies involving more than 4,000 people have proven the effectiveness of acupuncture during migraine attacks. ^[eleven]

In another study, acupuncture was found to be as effective and safe as topiramate for migraine headaches. ^[12]

For a large number of people suffering from headache attacks, acupuncture has become an effective and safe treatment.

12. Avoid strong odors

A pronounced perfume aroma, strong smell of household chemicals can provoke headaches in some people. Observation of 400 subjects showed that persons prone to migraine attacks, tension headaches, are susceptible to strong odors, especially perfume. ^[13]

Avoiding concentrated perfumes, avoiding strong-smelling products, tobacco smoke reduces the likelihood of a migraine attack.

13. Drink ginger tea

Ginger root is rich in beneficial elements that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Ginger has a pronounced antiemetic effect, helps to get rid of nausea, relieve headache symptoms.

A study of the properties of ginger in 100 subjects showed that 250 mg of ginger powder was as effective as Sumatriptan, a drug for treating migraines. ^[fourteen]

You can take ginger in capsule form or brew a rich tea with the fresh root of the plant.

Read more: The benefits and harms of ginger root

Instead of a conclusion

A large number of people suffer from headache attacks every day and are looking for an effective way to get rid of the suffering. Natural ways to relieve painful sensations include vitamin supplements, essential oils, diet correction, and avoidance of strong odors. Simple but effective methods that can improve the quality of everyday life, alleviate pain, and eliminate symptoms that accompany intense headache. All these methods can be adhered to every day, in between attacks, as well as combined with the use of traditional pharmacological agents for a more lasting effect.