From an uncomfortable pain to an absolutely unbearable one, a headache is a factor that can interrupt your daily life.
There are many types of headaches, but the most common are those caused by tension. There are cluster headaches that are intolerable and occur in groups or «clusters,» while migraines are a moderate to severe type of headache.
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While there are many medications aimed at relieving headache symptoms, there are also several natural treatments that are effective.
Here you will find some effective home remedies to get rid of headaches naturally.
Drink water
Poor hydration can cause a headache. In fact, studies have shown that chronic dehydration it is a common cause of tension headaches and migraines.
Fortunately, it has been shown that drinking water relieves headache symptoms within 30 minutes after drinking, up to three hours after.
Furthermore, dehydration can affect concentration and cause irritabilitywhich makes your symptoms seem even worse.
To help avoid dehydration headaches, you should focus on drinking enough water throughout the day and eating foods that are high in water content.
take magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral needed for countless functions in the body, for example, blood sugar control and nerve transmission.
It is interesting that Magnesium has also been shown to be a safe and effective remedy for headaches.
There is evidence to suggest that the magnesium deficiency is more common in people who have frequent migraine headachescompared to those who do not.
Studies have shown that treatment with 600 mg of magnesium citrate by mouth daily helped reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Taking magnesium supplements, however, can cause digestive side effects such as diarrhea in some people, so to treat headache symptoms it is best to start with a lower dose and ALWAYS consult your doctor.
Sleep enough
There are many ways that lack of sleep affects health. In some people, it can cause headaches.
For example, Headache frequency and intensity Those who sleep less than 6 hours a night tend to have more frequent and intense headaches than those who sleep more.
However, it has also been shown that sleeping too much can trigger headaches. Therefore, An adequate amount of rest is important for those seeking natural headache prevention.
For maximum benefits, keep in mind that the «sweet spot» is seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
Avoid foods rich in histamine
Histamine is a chemical naturally produced by the body It plays a role in the immune, digestive and nervous systems. Also found in certain foods such as aged cheeses, fermented foods, beer, wine, smoked fish and sausages.
Studies suggest that histamine consumption can cause migraines in those sensitive to this substance.
Some cannot properly excrete histamine because they suffer from impaired function of the enzymes responsible for breaking it down.
A helpful strategy for people who experience frequent headaches may be eliminate foods rich in histamine from the diet.
Try taking vitamin B
The B vitamins are a group of water-soluble micronutrients that have many important functions in the body. For example, contribute to the synthesis of neurotransmitters and help convert food into energy.
Some B vitamins may have a protective effect against headaches.
Several studies have shown that Vitamin B supplements riboflavin (B2), folic acid, B12, and pyridoxine (B6) may reduce headache symptoms.
B complex vitamins contain all eight B vitamins and are a safe and cost-effective way to naturally treat headache symptoms.
Since they are soluble in water and any excess will be eliminated through the urine, B vitamins are considered safe to take regularly, although you should ALWAYS consult your doctor if you are adding a supplement to your life.
Relieve pain with a cold compress
Using a cold compress can help reduce headache symptoms.
The application of cold or frozen compresses in the neck or head area it decreases inflammation, slows down nerve conduction and constricts blood vessels, all of which help relieve headache pain.
To make a cold compress, Fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap it in a soft towel. Apply the compress to the back of your neck, head, or temples to relieve headache pain.
Drink caffeinated tea or coffee
When you have a headache drinking beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea or coffee, may provide relief.
Caffeine improves mood, increases alertness, and constricts blood vessels, all of which can have a positive effect on headache symptoms.
It also helps increase the effectiveness of common medications used to treat headaches, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
However, it has also been shown that If a person regularly consumes large amounts of caffeine and suddenly stops, caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches.
Therefore, people who experience frequent headaches should be mindful of their caffeine intake.
Avoid nitrates and nitrites
Nitrates and nitrites are common food preservatives that are add to the sausages, cold cuts and bacon to keep them fresh by preventing bacterial growth.
Foods containing them have been shown to cause headaches in some people.
Nitrites can trigger headaches by causing dilation of blood vessels.
To minimize your exposure to nitrites, limit the amount of processed meats in your diet and whenever possible, choose products without nitrate.
drink ginger tea
Ginger root contains many beneficial compounds, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances.
A study of 100 people with chronic migraines found that 250 mg of ginger powder was as effective as conventional headache sumatriptan in reducing migraine pain.
Also, ginger Helps reduce nausea and vomiting, common symptoms associated with severe headaches.
You can take powdered ginger in capsule form or prepare a concentrated tea with fresh ginger root.