Headaches and Migraines: Pulling the Plug on Pain
They are sometimes frustrating to deal with because symptoms can vary so much from one person to the next.
Even the same person may have different symptoms at different times.
Indeed, if you have a head, then you have suffered from its aching in one form or another at many points in your life.
Headaches can be a sharp pain or dull ache.
They might last for a short or long time.
There may also be additional symptoms including nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
If these are severe, they may even interfere with daily activities.
As with most types of pain, we all want immediate relief.
This is especially true for migraine headaches.
First, we must understand the types and triggers of headaches.
Then finding the appropriate treatments is easier.
Types of Headaches Doctors recognize four types of headaches.
If headaches happen regularly or are severe, it is best to rule out other problems before using self-treatment.
Several serious medical disorders have symptoms of severe head pain as a symptom.
An example of this is brain tumors.
Intermittent tension headaches typically occur less than 15 days a month.
They are usually mild to moderate pain coupled with throbbing on the front, top or sides of the head with gradual onset.
Chronic tension headaches happen more than 15 days in a month.
It may vary in intensity throughout the day but is there for extended periods.
Migraine headaches usually involve extreme pain.
Most sufferers complain of pounding, throbbing and severe pain all over the head.
They may also have sensitivity to noise, light and odors.
Sometimes there is nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Often they experience paleness, fatigue and dizziness.
Cluster headaches usually happen on only one side of the head.
Typically, they are located near the eye.
They often last for 30-90 minutes at a time.
Cluster headaches can occur more than one time during the day.
Triggers to Watch Out For Each person has their own unique set of headache triggers.
That is part of what makes them so hard to deal with.
Here are some of the most common:
- Nicotine and caffeine
- Poor posture
- Work stress
- Warm or cold weather
- Strong scents
- Hair accessories and products
- Exercise
- Food sensitivities
This is also true for severe headaches.
However, if brain tumors or concussions are not the problem, then natural treatments can be effective.
Natural treatments are normally safe for most for most types of headaches.
Often they also improve other areas of health.
Natural treatments include
- Avoiding triggers
- Managing stress
- Light exercise, such as walking
- Eating regular meals
The problem with them is that over time these drugs often become less effective.
They can even cause rebound pain when someone stops using them.
For long-term treatment of headaches, the best approach is to use natural treatments.
These treatments can include acupuncture, massage and natural supplements.