How to Get Rid of Headaches

Most of us suffer from headaches from time to time. They can be the result of lots of different causes and some can be a lot more painful and long-lasting than others.

One option to treat a headache maybe to visit your local pharmacist but there are also many other simple options available to you.

• Apply Heat Packs/Ice Packs

We’ve been using hot and cold application techniques to relieve pain for many years now and it’s no surprise considering how effective they are.

By simply placing an ice pack to the area of your head that’s causing you pain, the cold will help to shrink your blood vessels, improving circulation and, in turn, easing the pain that’s being caused by the pressure they’re causing. Hold the pack there for 10-15 minutes for best results.

Applying heat on the back of your neck will help relieve migraines and other kinds of headaches that are caused by stress. Heat relaxes your muscles and, in turn, has the power to relieve throbbing pain. You could hold a water bottle on the back of your neck or take a warm bath as any type of heat will help relax your muscles.

Note: You should never apply heat packs or ice packs directly to your skin as doing so can cause damage. Instead, wrap the pack you are using in a tea towel before applying it to the affected area.

• Relax!

Stress is the number one cause of most people’s headaches. Therefore, taking some time out to relax will most likely relieve a lot of your discomfort.

Have a long soak in a bubble bath, go for a walk, take a nap, watch a movie, read a book or do whatever you like to do to help you forget what’s bothering you.

• Turn off the Lights

Bright lights (including those from a computer screen) can be the number one reason why you’re suffering from a headache.

If you feel a headache coming on, try and stay away from direct light including sunlight. This is very important if you are prone to migraines as taking a break in a quiet, dark room will be your solace.

• Drink Water

It’s been proven that dehydration can bring on a headache  and even though experts recommend that we drink at least eight pints of water a day, many of us don’t.

Not consuming enough fluids can dehydrate your body leaving it in a bad state, which can cause headaches among other things. Give your body the water if needs and you’ll experience less headaches for doing so. It’s sometimes that simple.

• Let your Hair Down

If your hair is in a tight ponytail and you’re suffering from a bad headache, taking your hair down might just be the answer to your problem. Pulling your hair back and holding it tight in place will put pressure on certain points and nerves in your head causing you pain.

These types of headaches can also come about as a result of wearing a hat, a headband or swimming goggles that are too tight.

• Over the Counter Medicine

When all of the above fails, Ibuprofen is the number one medicine used to treat a migraine or headache. This is because it is an anti-inflammatory drug and, rather than just treating the pain itself, it’s effective in relieving the tension that a headache causes.

What headache medicine to take when pregnant?

Many women will suffer more with headaches during pregnancy. It is not advisable to take lots of medicines when pregnant for many reasons, making it difficult to treat a simple headache.

If a natural remedy doesn’t work, paracetamol can be taken. That said; when you’re pregnant, you should always consult your doctor before taking any medication. If you don’t have time to see your GP, you can also go to your local chemist and consult them for the best advice.

The above are just some of the many ways to treat and relieve headaches. Each person and type of headache is different so while one remedy might always work for one person, it may never work for another.

Find what works best for you and you’ll know what to do the next time a headache strikes.