One-on-One with Headaches!

Nearly half of all individuals, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), would have had at least one headache in the previous year. Headaches are a common complaint.

The majority of them may be treated with straightforward painkillers, and while they can occasionally be excruciating and incapacitating, they usually subside within a few hours.

A more serious medical condition, however, can be indicated by recurrent bouts or a particular form of headache.

There are more than 150 different forms of headaches according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, which separates into primary and secondary headache types.

Headache types

There are numerous notable variations in headaches, including:

Primary Headaches

A primary headache is one in which the headache is the major issue. This sickness or disease does not have it as a symptom.

Primary headaches are not harmful, even if their pain might be incapacitating. Since the brain is unable to sense pain, primary headache pain is instead caused by inflammation in and around the neck and head that affects pain-sensitive body regions, including:

• Nerves
• Blood
• Muscles

Primary headaches fall into a variety of categories. Primary headaches can come in a variety of different forms.

MIGRAINE HEADACHES-

A prevalent disorder with a variety of kinds, symptoms, and severity levels is migraine. But a moderate to severe headache and nausea are its hallmarks.

SINUS HEADACHES-

According to the NHF, gnawing discomfort over the nasal area is a symptom of sinus headaches, which frequently get worse over the day.

An infection, frequently accompanied by a fever, that results in sinus duct blockage and impairs normal drainage is the main cause of sinus headache pain.

TENSION HEADACHE-

According to the National Library of Medicine’s Medline Plus website, tension headaches are the most typical type of headache.

These headaches, which are frequently correlated with tension, depression, or worry, are mostly caused by tight muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw.

Tension headaches can be exacerbated by lifestyle choices like drinking alcohol, working excessive hours, not getting enough sleep, and eating poorly.

HYPNIC HEADACHES-

This is an uncommon type of headache that affects persons between the ages of 40 and 80. It is distinctive in that it is a headache that only happens at night and usually lasts for between 15 and 60 minutes.

There is no correlation between the headaches and a runny nose, tears, or other “cluster” symptoms, and they often start at the same time every night. This type of headache, which often does not react to normal headache drugs, can be treated using particular methods.

CLUSTER HEADACHES-

The usual duration of a cluster headache attack is one to three hours. They happen in groups or cycles. The NHF claims that cluster headaches frequently repeat, sometimes multiple times per day, for a set amount of time before being followed by months or even years of headache-free time.

On either the right or left side of the head, these headaches strike out of nowhere and are characterized by intense, incapacitating pain. They are frequently accompanied by watery eyes, nasal congestion, or a runny nose on the same side of the face.

When having an attack, a person is frequently restless, unable to relax, and unlikely to lie down as they would normally do when suffering from a migraine.

Secondary Headaches

Another disorder that affects pain-sensitive regions in the neck and head can result in a secondary headache. Although secondary headaches are less common than main headaches, they can be far more severe.

Secondary headaches may be an indicator of one or more of the following serious underlying conditions:

• Brain Tumours
• Aneurysm
• Meningitis is a bacterial or viral illness that causes brain inflammation
  a neck or head injury
• Head-related headaches

Sometimes a headache appears right away or soon after a head injury.

Other Headaches

ALCOHOL HEADACHE

A throbbing headache may develop the next day or even that same day after consuming too much alcohol. Usually on both sides of the head, these migraine-like headaches might get worse with movement.

EXERTIONAL HEADACHES

Exertional headaches result from hard physical activity and have the following causes:

• sprinting, jumping, lifting weights, having sex, coughing, or sneezing fits

Usually just lasting a few hours, these headaches might occasionally continue for two days. They are more common in people with a family history of migraine and present as throbbing pains throughout the head.

CAFFEINE HEADACHE

More than 400 mg of caffeine, or around four cups of coffee per day, can occasionally cause problems.

PERIOD HEADACHE

Changes in hormone levels are frequently the cause of headaches. Changes in estrogen levels might cause migraines to occur around menstruation.

Hormone-related headaches frequently appear two days before, three days after, or during ovulation. Although they can continue longer, the symptoms are comparable to migraine without an aura.

What brings on headaches?

Headaches can be classed as primary (occurring on their own, without being caused by another health issue) or secondary (occurring as a result of another health issue).

Primary headaches may occasionally be brought on by elements of one’s lifestyle, such as:

• booze, especially red wine
• a few foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates
• alterations in sleeping habits or a lack of sleep
• improper posture missing meals
• stress

Secondary headaches can result from a number of conditions, such as:

• sinuses, including acute or persistent sinus infections
• teeth, including a variety of dental issues eyes, such as glaucoma or eye strain
• blood vessels, such as aneurysms or high blood pressure, nerves, such as shingles, and ears, such as middle ear infections
• side effects of medications

Dealing With Headaches

Medicine is a tried-and-true method for treating and preventing migraines. It’s crucial to take care of oneself and learn how to manage migraine pain when it occurs.

The same lifestyle decisions that support general health can also help you have fewer migraines and feel less pain when you do.

The best strategy to treat migraines is frequently by combining medication with lifestyle changes and behavioral interventions.

LIFESTYLE ALTERATIONS-

You can better control headaches by changing some aspects of your lifestyle. You can start using these techniques to help you stop experiencing headaches.

To prevent dehydration, consume plenty of water.

• One of the reasons people get headaches is dehydration. Getting enough water can potentially prevent headaches from dehydration.

Get your eyes examined.

• Headaches can also result from strain on your eyes or from an eye ailment. It is crucial to have your eyes checked as a result.
• To reduce unnecessary strain, you should also limit your screen time.

Consume a balanced diet.

• Maintaining general health requires a nutritious diet. It could potentially be used to treat headaches.

Regular exercise.

• Another approach to staying active and fit is to exercise. Additionally, it might aid with stress management and headache relief.

Keep away from triggers.

Triggers are substances such as foods, drinks, or medicines that might cause headaches.

• To assist you get rid of headaches, you can avoid these factors. To find the triggers that could be causing your headaches, you will need to keep note of them.

Practice breathing exercises.

One significant cause of headaches is stress.

• To lessen stress and the headaches it causes, try some relaxing techniques. There are several ways to unwind, including yoga, meditation, and massage.

Include these yoga asanas for headache relief-

• Savasana (Corpse pose)
• Setu bandh asana(Bridge pose)
• Paschimottasana (Seated forward bend)
• Janusirasana (Single head-to-knee pose)
• Balasana (Childs Pose)

Therapies for Headaches

• Shirodhara
• Nasyam
• Shirobhyanga
• Shirolepa

Your best friend- Sleep.

Headaches are frequently caused by fatigue and extended workdays. You can try lying down in a quiet, dark area to catch up on some sleep to maximize the effectiveness of brief breaks.

• When you sleep, you can unwind, replenish vigor, and wake up feeling rejuvenated.

Herbs

The benefits of the listed herbs and at-home headache cures are shown in studies, but they are not enough. Therefore, further human research is required to determine the real scope of these home cures’ health benefits.

Therefore, these should only be used sparingly and never as a replacement for medical care.

Peppermint

There aren’t enough studies to prove peppermint helps with headaches. According to several research, peppermint or peppermint oil can relieve headaches when inhaled.

Other research indicates that peppermint tea may be beneficial.

• A few peppermint leaves should be boiled in water and left to steep for some time to prepare peppermint tea. You can strain this concoction into a cup and flavor it with honey.
• You can now enjoy your peppermint tea. This peppermint tea might make your headache go away.

Butterbur

In the past, people have used butterbur for fever, wound healing, and muscle spasms.

• For headaches and migraines, butterbur root may also be advised. Butterbur, however, could have unwanted consequences including flatulence and other stomach issues.

Additionally, butterbur usage during pregnancy should be severely prohibited.

• To lessen the severity of your headache, take a teaspoon of butterbur powder with a glass of water.

Chamomile

There is a long history of using chamomile to treat headaches. However, the usage of it is not sufficiently supported by scientific research. Tea made from chamomile can be consumed.

Boil some chamomile in water. You can also add honey for taste. Using a vaporizer to inhale chamomile oil can also provide relief.

Other Ayurvedic Herbs for headache:

• Brahmi ghritam
• Sarapgandha vati
• Ksheerbala capsule
• Yograj guggulu
• Yashtimadhu churna
• Triphala churna
• Aswagandharishtam
• Balarishtam
• Anu thailam
• Brahmi thailam
• Chandani thailam
• Rasnadi kashayam
• Sudarshan ghan vati

Disclaimer:

Speaking from the perspective of a patient with sinus headaches, painkillers were a good option to calm down the pain but they came in the way of my energy and productivity level. So, I took help from online Ayurvedic experts and religiously followed natural treatment. You can also book a free consultation from an Ayurvedic doctor at the Healthmug website and can also buy a range of homoeopathic, ayurvedic, and Unani medicines for your headache relief.