Headaches are common conditions that disrupt daily routines. In the US, over 15% of the population reports of severe headaches.
While tension headaches are the most prevalent, other kinds of headaches such as clusters or migraines are just as painful and debilitating .
There are plenty of over-the-counter drugs for alleviating headache symptoms; however, various natural remedies can work just as same.
Here’s a list of a few home remedies to relieve headaches.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Various studies have shown that dehydration can lead to migraines and tension headaches. Moreover, dehydration can also aggravate headache symptoms and impair concentration.
However, according to the National Institutes of Health, drinking water can effectively relieve headache symptoms caused by dehydration.
To avoid dehydration, up your intake of water and water-rich fruits and vegetables.
Magnesium Intake
Magnesium plays an important role in managing several bodily functions, including nerve transmission and controlling blood sugar levels.
Studies have linked magnesium deficiency with recurring migraines among other medical conditions. Moreover, magnesium supplements are effective remedies for the prevention and treatment of migraines. However, always consult your doctor about the dosage and administration of all such supplements.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic. This means that it flushes fluids out of the body through urination. This can cause dehydration and eventually headaches.
Moreover, alcohol also causes vasodilation—widening of the blood vessels. Vasodilators can cause headaches in many people. This can be seen from the fact that other vasodilators, such as medications for blood pressure have headaches as common side effects.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep deprivation harms your health in various ways, including impaired concentration and loss in productivity. Another consequence of not having adequate sleep each night is frequent headaches.
A study published in the National Institutes of Health concluded that people who didn’t get at least 6 hours of sleep every night got more severe and frequent headaches.
Cold Compression
Cold compressions can significantly reduce headache symptoms. Cold compression around the head and neck areas can decrease inflammation, constrict blood vessels and reduce nerve conduction, alleviating the headache.
For making a cold compress at home, take a bag and fill it with ice. You can wrap this bag in a towel and apply it to your neck, temples and head to relieve pain.
Drink Coffee Or Tea
Caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea can significantly relieve headache.
Caffeine can improve mood, constrict blood vessels and increase alertness, which can positively affect the headache symptoms.
Moreover, caffeine has proven to enhance the efficacy of pain-relieving medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
If your headache symptoms aren’t getting better with any of these home remedies, reach out to us.
At Stripes Urgent Care, we offer urgent care services for acute headaches and other illnesses at our clinic in Gold Canyon, AZ. Contact us today to make an appointment.