Keep Stress Under Control
Stress and tension-type headaches often go hand in hand. To reduce stress, try these simple tips:
- Simplify your life.Don’t look for ways to squeeze more activities or chores into the day instead find things you can leave out.
- Take a break.If you feel overwhelmed, a few slow stretches or a quick walk may renew your energy levels.
- Exhale.When you feel your stress levels rising, take several deep breaths and count to 10.
- Adjust your attitude.Think positive thoughts. Don’t think that something is impossible tell yourself that you are up to the challenge.
- Let go.Don’t worry about things you can’t control.
Final Thoughts On Amazing Home Remedies For Tension Headaches
Now that you know how to treat tension headaches at home, you might be able to skip the chemical pain relievers.
Although there are many over-the-counter headache remedies, they dont treat the source of the problem. These home remedies for tension headaches promote a lifestyle change that can alleviate the root of your headache. It encourages increased well-being and health, and it can prevent future headaches from creeping in.
Try these home remedies for tension headaches right away so that the pain and discomfort dont take over your life. Since itll alleviate the root of the issue, too, itll reduce the number of headaches you get all together.
Scalp Massage May Help Relieve Migraine Pain
Do-it-yourself scalp massages may be an effective way to alleviate migraine pain.
For some people with migraine, scalp massage will offer relief from pain by helping reduce tension and promoting more robust circulation, says Dr. Rothenberg. “For others, the idea of being touched anywhere, especially the head, won’t be appealing and could make the pain worse. Like many aspects of natural, individualized medicine, nothing will work for everyone!”
Scalp massage is unlikely to be comfortable for people with allodynia, a fairly common symptom of migraine in which people are very sensitive to touch and other stimuli that isnt typically painful. Allodynia can make even normal activities such as brushing hair or resting your head on a pillow very painful.
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Home Remedies For Tension Headaches
If medicine doesnt work for you, or youd like to try other interventions first, there are a number of at-home and alternative remedies to try.
- Some people have great success applying a heating pad or ice pack to their head, neck, and shoulders when the pain strikes.
- You can also take a hot bath or shower to relax tense muscles.
- Massage, acupuncture, and stretching can bring relief from tension headache pain
- Try taking frequent breaks from looking at screens.
- Finally, relaxation techniques such as deep-breathing and meditation can help to lessen the pain of tension headaches, and when practiced regularly, may prevent them altogether.
- Focus on the basics: plenty of water and adequate sleep
When You Have A Tension Headache
Hot or cold showers or baths may relieve a headache for some people. You may also want to rest in a quiet room with a cool cloth on your forehead.
Gently massaging your head and neck muscles may provide relief.
If your headaches are due to stress or anxiety, you may want to learn ways to relax.
Over-the-counter pain medicine, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, may relieve pain. If you are planning to take part in an activity that you know will trigger a headache, taking pain medicine beforehand may help.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
Follow your health care provider’s instructions about how to take your medicines. Rebound headaches are headaches that keep coming back. They can occur from overuse of pain medicine. If you take pain medicine more than 3 days a week on a regular basis, you can develop rebound headaches.
Be aware that aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate your stomach. If you take acetaminophen , DO NOT take more than a total of 4,000 mg of regular strength or 3,000 mg of extra strength a day to avoid liver damage.
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Remedies To Get Rid Of Headaches Naturally
Headaches are a common condition that many people deal with on a daily basis.
Ranging from uncomfortable to downright unbearable, they can disrupt your day-to-day life.
Several types of headaches exist, with tension headaches being the most common. Cluster headaches are painful and happen in groups or clusters, while migraines are a moderate-to-severe type of headache.
Although many medications are targeted at relieving headache symptoms, a number of effective, natural treatments also exist.
Here are 18 effective home remedies to naturally get rid of headaches.
Balance Work And Rest
Sitting in one position for extended periods can cause your muscles in your back, neck, and shoulders to tighten which can lead to tension headaches. Thus, people with desk jobs are advised to stretch out their bodies from time to time.
Nowadays, most people are used to spending long hours in front of the computer or other digital screens, making them increasingly prone to eyestrain. Eyestrain is one of the prime contributors to tension headaches.
One way to comfort your tired eyes is to massage them gently for a minute. You must also take occasional breaks when working on the computer to give your eyes some rest.
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Medications And Home Care
You can start by drinking more water. You may be dehydrated and need to increase your water intake. Also, you should consider how much sleep youre getting. Lack of sleep can lead to tension headaches. And make sure you didnt skip any meals, which can trigger headaches.
If none of those strategies work, then you can take over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to get rid of a tension headache. However, these should only be used occasionally.
According to the Mayo Clinic, using OTC medications too much may lead to overuse or rebound headaches. These types of headaches occur when you become so accustomed to a medication that you experience pain when the drugs wear off.
OTC drugs are sometimes not enough to treat recurring tension headaches. In such cases, your healthcare provider may give you a prescription for medication, such as:
- opiates
- prescription-strength acetaminophen
If pain relievers arent working, they may prescribe a muscle relaxant. This is a medication that helps stop muscle contractions.
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe an antidepressant, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor . SSRIs can stabilize your brains levels of serotonin and can help you cope with stress.
They may also recommend other treatments, such as:
Living With Headaches: Self
Making changes in your daily routine can help in the management of headaches. Some measures that can be taken include the following:
- Get adequate rest and sleep for 67 hours to avoid sleep deprivation.
- Take a bath with warm water.
- Avoid things that trigger your headache. These may include some drinks, such as red wine, or foods, such as dried fruits with sulfates or certain cheeses.
- Do not stay hungry. Avoid fasting and eat at regular intervals.
- Sleep comfortably. Change your bedding or sleeping position if needed.
- Maintain good posture at all times.
- Do not strain your eyes. Get an eye checkup and wear prescription glasses if required.
- Practice meditation to help reduce the incidence of headaches.
- Exercise regularly. This helps in stress reduction and releases endorphins . Exercising also helps you obtain good-quality sleep.
- Use a mouth guard if you grind your teeth.
- Avoid alcohol consumption.
- Practice biofeedback techniques, such as abdominal breathing.
- Use heat therapy to manage tension headaches. It may also be used for migraine attacks. However, heat may be a headache-trigger for some.
- Practice yoga as it helps in alleviating the symptoms of migraine. A study compared patients with migraine using conventional care versus conventional care plus yoga 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The group that used conventional migraine treatments plus yoga experienced fewer migraine headaches and less severe headaches when they did occur.
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Is Butterbur Safe For Treating Headaches
The American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society suggests using butterbur for improving migraine attacks. However, it may have side effects such as itchy eyes, allergies, and digestive issues. Therefore, it is advised to only use processed butterbur products that are free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids upon consulting your doctor.
Use Rosemary Oil Foot Bath
Herbalists note that rosemary oil foot bath is one of the great home remedies for headaches removal. The hot water will draw blood to the feet, which in turn soothes the throbbing pain.
Besides, rosemary oil contains anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce a tension headache.
According to a study published in 2013 in Food Chemistry, rosemary contains the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
For this treatment, take around 7 drops of rosemary essential oil and add it to a small tub that is filled with warm water.
Afterward, soak your feet in this footbath for about 20-30 minutes.
Finally, pat-dry your feet using a soft towel.
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When To See A Doctor About Headaches
Dont power through regular head pain solo. See a doctor if youre experiencing headaches once per week or more or if they interfere with your everyday life. Not only can healthcare providers prescribe you medication, but they can also identify a potential underlying medical condition. Major red flags include:
- Headaches with an explosive onset
- Headaches that come on during certain activities
- Headaches with fever or stiff neck
- Headaches associated with changes in cognition
- Headaches with weakness or numbness
- Headaches that start after age 50
Play it safe and always seek out professional help if you have any concern about your health. The American Migraine Foundation offers resources for how to talk to your practitioner about headaches in order to help you find the best plan of action.
Take A Break From Screens
One of the most common symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain is headaches, the American Optometric Association states. Whether it’s a computer, cell phone, or tablet, just scrolling up and down can trigger headaches in some people, Dr. Newman says. To prevent discomfort, the AOA recommends following whats called the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20 second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.
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Consume Or Inhale Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is yet another anecdotal remedy for headaches, especially those triggered by poorly regulated blood sugar or sinus problems. This mildly acidic liquid has been credited with a lot of therapeutic potential but there isnt any solid scientific evidence to substantiate these claims.
Nevertheless, a lot of general users have reported positive results after using this remedy with little to no side effects, if used correctly.
How to use:
- Mix 2 teaspoons of ACV in a glass of water, and add some honey and lemon juice to it for better taste. Drink this tonic thrice a day for headache relief.
- Take equal amounts of water and ACV in a pot and bring this mixture to a boil. Then, breathe in the therapeutic vapors to relieve sinus headaches.
Note: ACV can erode the tooth enamel, which is why its important to drink this tonic through a straw and rinse your mouth thereafter.
Avoid Taking Too Much Caffeine
Some caffeine can reduce headaches, especially if you are used to heavy caffeine intake. If you consume too much caffeine, though, it can cause headaches and intense irritability. Any more than 400 milligrams of caffeine each day can increase the frequency and intensity of your tension headaches.
While 400 milligrams might sound like quite a bit of caffeine, it only equals around four cups of coffee. Those who drink caffeine all day likely exceed this limit before lunchtime. Be careful, though, because stopping caffeine or cutting back too quickly can also trigger tension headaches.
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How Can You Treat Stress Headachesand When Should You See A Doctor
Depending on the severity and length of your stress headache, it can go away on its own by simply taking a break from whatever activity is causing you stress, Dr. Wexler says. Lying down, meditating, or doing some light yoga are all great options.
However, if the pain is really bothersome, most stress headaches can be treated with over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen or naproxen, Dr. Broner saysbut be wary of the frequency with which youre taking medications. If you find that you’re taking more than once a week on a regular basis, that’s a sign that you’re getting increased headache frequency and you should speak to your doctor about what’s causing your headaches, Dr. Broner says.
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Dr. Wexler also recommends that if headaches arent the norm for you, especially if youre over the age of 50, you should consider speaking to a neurologist or headache specialist, since this could signal that something else more serious is going on. Some other warning signs to pay attention to, according to Dr. Wexler, include: headaches that consistently get worse or more frequent over time, accompanied by any neurological conditions such as double vision, numbness, tingling, paralysis, loss of vision, or accompanied by a fever.
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Symptoms Of A Tension Headache
Symptoms of a tension headache include:
- dull head pain
- pressure around the forehead
- tenderness around the forehead and scalp
The pain is usually mild or moderate, but it can also be intense. In this case, you might confuse your tension headache with a migraine. This is a type of headache that causes throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head.
However, tension headaches dont have all the symptoms of migraines, such as nausea and vomiting. In rare cases, a tension headache can lead to sensitivity to light and loud noise, similar to migraines.
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Can Tension Headaches Be Prevented
Identifying and avoiding headache triggers may prevent a tension headache. Maintaining a regular sleep, exercise, and meal schedule is also helpful. If tension headaches occur regularly or frequently, therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, or biofeedback may reduce or eliminate headaches. Talk to your healthcare provider about medicines to prevent tension headaches.
Causes Of Stress Headaches
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Is There A Link Between A Ketogenic Diet And Headaches
A keto diet works by reducing the amount of carbohydrates that you consume in a day.
The sudden switch from using starch as an energy source to utilizing the fat stored in your body requires adjustment. This transition period may be associated with a headache.
Headaches caused by a keto diet may last for 1 day to 1 week. If your headache does not subside after that, consult your doctor.
How To Treat Tension Headaches Without Medication
Basically, tension headaches or stress headaches are a common type of head pain that affect most people. Learn here some easy-to-follow, home methods to prevent and treat tension headaches.
Tension headaches cause mild to moderate pain and the pain may start above the eyebrows or in the back of your head and lastly impacts the whole head.
Besides, a tension headache can make you depressed or anxious and affect your productivity and your relationships. To deal with tension headaches, there are many simple ways.
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Q: How Can I Get Relief From Tension Headaches
A: A tried-and-true home remedy for both chronic andepisodic tension headaches is using a hot or cold compress to alleviate thediscomfort. Place it on the forehead or over the neck and shoulders.
People can easily manage episodic headaches with over-the-counter pain relievers like a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and acetaminophen.We recommend people limit the use of OTC pain relievers to two times per weekat most. Using them too often could result in medication-overuse headaches,plus too much could damage the kidneys or liver.
People with chronic headaches may need daily preventionmedicines. But we have a lot of options to help people avoid tension headachesaltogether.
Soothe Pain With A Cold Compress
Using a cold compress may help reduce your headache symptoms.
Applying cold or frozen compresses to the neck or head area decreases inflammation, slows nerve conduction and constricts blood vessels, all of which help reduce headache pain .
In one study in 28 women, applying a cold gel pack to the head significantly reduced migraine 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 the neck, head or temples for headache relief.
Coenzyme Q10 is a substance produced naturally by the body that helps turn food into energy and functions as a powerful antioxidant .
Studies have shown that taking CoQ10 supplements may be an effective and natural way to treat headaches.
For example, one study in 80 people demonstrated that taking 100 mg of CoQ10 supplements per day reduced migraine frequency, severity and length .
Another study including 42 people who experienced frequent migraines found that three 100-mg doses of CoQ10 throughout the day helped decrease migraine frequency and migraine-related symptoms like nausea (
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