Home Remedies for Headaches
Millions of people suffer from headaches every day, but home remedies for headaches can alleviate the pain or at least diminish it in most cases. One of the best reasons to consider home remedies is that using over the counter or prescription pain killers can actually cause an increase in headaches over time. This rebound effect can mean that eventually you’ll be getting headaches almost daily.
Most headaches are tension headaches, but headaches can also be migraines or be caused by environmental factors like smoking, carbon monoxide and sudden changes in temperature. Fortunately, most home remedies for headaches will work regardless of the cause.
Acupressure can relieve a headache in just minutes and is particularly effective for tension headaches. Grasp the fold of flesh between the index finger and thumb and look for the sensitive spot just at the edge of the bone. Hold this down firmly for one to three minutes; you should feel the headache begin to fade almost immediately. If you have a headache at the back of the head or base of the skull, try putting pressure on the back of the neck just below where the skull ends and hold for several minutes.
If your headache is caused by tension, particularly from hunching over a computer or tensing up in general, loosening up your muscles can get rid of the pain. Try shrugging your shoulders up while you squeeze your eyes shut tightly. Now hold this for 5-10 seconds and release. Repeat this five or six times and you’ll discover that your headache is gone.
Sometimes just laying down in a cold, dark room is one of the best home remedies for headaches. You can also put a cold, damp rag on your forehead to increase the effectiveness. The cool air constricts blood vessels, helping to alleviate pain. A variation on this is to put a few drops of peppermint or clove oil on your forehead and temples. As it dries, the evaporation gives a wonderful, cooling sensation.
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches. Home remedies for headaches often include drinking at least a full glass of water. Some people say adding a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water will help the headache go away faster. You can also drink Mountain Dew, coffee or tea to rehydrate; the caffeine is also very good for getting rid of headaches.
Home Remedies for Preventing Headaches
The best cure for headaches is actually preventing them, and there are lots of home remedies for headache prevention. Drinking several glasses of water every day keeps you hydrated and minimizes headaches. Also making sure you get plenty of iron will help, since iron deficiency sometimes causes headaches.
Migraine headaches are triggered by a variety of foods, so avoiding these triggers can help. The most common triggers are alcohol, chocolate, aged cheeses, and foods with nitrates such as bacon or sausage.
Keep in mind that home remedies for headaches work best if you lose them as soon as you get the headache. The longer you wait, the less effective they are.