Home Medications and Treatments for Headaches
Headaches are some of the most common afflictions from which people suffer, more than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic, recurring headaches. A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. They are often nature's warning that something is wrong somewhere in the body, although headaches do not necessarily indicate that there is a serious disorder. Most people with headaches can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax, and occasionally by taking medications.
Common Symptoms of Headaches:
Pain in the generalized area of head and neck
Nausea and vomiting
Sensitivity to light and sound
A general feeling of discomfort.
Top three classifications for common kinds of headaches:
- Tension headaches are the most common and are characterized by a tightening around the head and neck, and a dull ache.
- Cluster headaches come all at once and then disappear for a period. These affect one-side of the head, usually around the eye.
- Migraines are severe pain on one side of the head. The pulsating and throbbing pain is often worsened from exertion.
The common causes of headaches are:
- Not getting enough sleep
- Emotional stress
- Hormonal changes
- Eye strain
- High blood pressure
- Food additives
- Caffeine withdrawal
- Low blood sugar
- Nutritional deficiency
- The presence of poisons and toxins in the body
There are several remedies for various types of headaches. Lemon is beneficial in its treatment. The juice of three or four slices of lemon should be squeezed in a cup of tea and taken by the patient for treating this condition. It gives immediate relief. The crust of lemon, which is generally thrown away, has been found useful in headaches caused by heat. Lemon crusts should be pounded into a fine paste in a mortar and applied as plaster on the forehead. Applying the yellow, freshly pared off rind of a lemon to each temple will also give relief.
Apples are valuable in all types of headaches. After removing the upper rind and the inner hard portion of a ripe apply it should be taken with a little salt every morning on an empty stomach in such cases. This should be continued for about a week.
The flowers of henna have been found valuable in headaches caused by hot sun. The flowers should be rubbed in vinegar and applied over the forehead. This remedy will soon provide relief.
Cinnamon is useful in headaches caused by exposure to cold air. A fine paste of this spice should be prepared by mixing it with water and it should be applied over the temples and forehead to obtain relief.
The herb marjoram is beneficial in the treatment of a nervous headache. An infusion of the leaves is taken as a tea in the treatment of this disorder.
The herb rosemary has been found valuable to headaches resulting from cold. A handful of this herb should be boiled in a liter of water and put in a mug. The head should be covered with a towel and the steam inhaled for a long as the patient can bear. This should be repeated till the headache is relieved.
Non-citrus juice such as apple, pear or peach
Whole grain, calcium fortified cereal topped with skim milk or soy milk and fresh berries
Scrambled eggs (purchase those high in omega-three fatty acids) or add in some fresh cooked salmon or canned salmon and fresh herbs such as basil or cilantro
Fresh Blueberry Muffin or toasted whole grain bread
French toast recipe such as Seattle Apple French Toast (using skim milk)
Vegetable cottage cheese (low fat) in whole-wheat pita with lettuce or sprouts
Homemade soup that doesn't contain prohibited foods, such as Asparagus and Sesame Chicken Soup (substituting cider vinegar for the rice wine vinegar)
Calcium fortified juice
Tuna salad sandwich on whole grain bread with lettuce
Strawberry Sports Shake
Pasta stir-fry, such as Linguini Honey-Sauced Prawns
Garlic bread sticks
Fresh fruit salad
Broiled fish, such as salmon or tuna
Microwave Rhubarb Crisp
Gingered Pork and Peaches (made without the lemon juice or peel)
Mixed green salad
Cinnamon-Scented Raspberry Rice Pudding
Lifestyle changes can reduce the chances of getting a headache and reduce the frequency of headaches.
- Recogize what causes your headaches and avoid or reduce these conditions.
- Cut down on alcohol and nicotine consumption.
- Manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, and meditation.
- Exercise on regular basis.
- Get an adequate amount of sleep each night.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
Hot food baths are also beneficial in the treatment of chronic headaches. The patient should keep his legs in a tub or bucket filled with hot water at a temperature of 40degrees C to 45degrees C for fifteen minutes every night before retiring. This treatment should be continued for two or three weeks.
Yogic kriyas like jalneti and kunjal; pranayamas like anulomaviloma, shitali, and sitkari; and asanas such as uttanpadasana, sarvangasana, paschimottanasana, halasana, and shavasana are also beneficial in the treatment of headaches.