Pick a language
English flag Italian flag Korean flag Portuguese flag German flag French flag Spanish flag Japanese flag Russian flag Greek flag Dutch flag                               
How to get rid of stuff » Living » How to Get Rid of Headaches
 

How to Get Rid of Headaches

June 26th, 2007 by MartinDodge
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5)
Loading ... Loading ...
Republish     Print This Guide Print This Guide     Email This Post Email This Post        
 
HeadacheWe have all had at least one in our lives – a headache. Sometimes it’s dull and slight and simply an annoyance. Sometimes it can be so bad that you need to go to the ER for immediate sedation. Why?

 

Ask that question 20 years ago and the answer would depend on the particular type of headache we’re talking about. We would have guessed that a migraine headache resulted from contraction and dilation of blood vessels running to the brain and that a tension headache was the result of tensed-up muscles.

 

Today we would say that most headaches, if not all, probably originate in the same area of the brain, and this is how they seem to work:

 

Headaches and Serotonin

Some event, we’re not sure what, triggers the trigeminal nerve (located in the brain stem, its branches run to your face) which releases a burst of chemicals signaling pain. Usually, these stimulate the a release of serotonin, a substance which counteracts the pain signals. The people who get headaches are those whose serotonin reaction is slow.

 

Two problems that trouble many headache sufferers are depression and sleep disorders which are also serotonin related. Frequently, when people diagnosed with depression begin treatment with medications called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s), the frequency and severity of their headaches disappear.

 

Serotonin, however, does not provide a full explanation of where headaches come from. More research is needed before we will have a complete understanding of the underlying processes.

 

There is a possibility your headaches are an effect of an ailment in another part of your body. If you suffer from headaches regularly you should consult your doctor, who will probably prescribe a battery of tests before making a diagnosis.

 

Keep a Headache Log

The best way to deal with headaches is to prevent them, and you can do that by identifying and eliminating those things which trigger your headaches. To identify your headache triggers, keep a headache diary. Whenever you feel a headache coming on, record this data:
    Woman listing
  • The time of onset.
  • Where you were.
  • What you were doing.
  • Who you were with.
  • The location of the headache in your head.
  • How you were feeling (hot, cold, angry, sad, happy, anxious, hungry, etc.).
  • When and what you last ate.
  • Any ideas about what you think may have triggered the headache.
  • What you did/will do to relieve the pain, and how it worked.
  • What medications you were on and the dosage.
  • When the headache ended.
Estimate, on a scale of 1-to-10, the amount of pain you felt when the headache was at its worst.

 

From this diary, you should begin to see a pattern. Perhaps a certain type of food, a particular person in your life, or perhaps they occur at the same times every day. Any patterns you find may help you identify the problem. Share your diary with your doctor, who may also be able to discern patterns you cannot and identify the source.

 

What Types of Things Can Cause a Headache?

  • Emotions: Chronic headache sufferers are more prone to stress and anxiety, emotions which seem to reduce immunity to pain.
  • Diet: Certain substances such as nitrites, tyramine, MSG, alcohol, caffeine, high doses of vitamins, and lack of water can trigger headaches.
  • Medications: Nitroglycerin, drugs for hypertension, blood thinners, ulcer treatments, antiseizure drugs, and oral contraceptives.
  • Environmental factors: You may be living or working in a place that exposes you to odors, glare, noise, stress, or other factors that can trigger headaches.
    • Angry woman Diet Sleeping pattern
  • Eating and Sleeping Patterns: Missing meals, getting too much or too little sleep.
  • Strains: Straining eye, neck, or shoulder muscles.
  • Hormones
  • Physical exertion

Laugh Your Headache Away

Once you have a better idea of what it is that triggers your headaches, take action. Here are some things that may reduce the number of headaches or even stop them in their tracks:
  • Laugh more. It stimulates the release of serotonin.
  • Get counseling.
  • Let family and friends know what triggers you headaches.
  • Learn how to relax.
  • Avoid foods that appear to trigger headaches.
  • Reduce alcohol and coffee consumption.
  • Women, ask your doctor about magnesium supplements.
    • Laughing Relaxing Exercising
  • A different type of Oral contraceptive may relieve hormone imbalances that can trigger headaches.
  • Estrogen supplements may relieve menstrual migraines.
  • Learn how to quit smoking.
  • Maintain regular sleeping and eating habits.
  • Exercise.
  • Take regular breaks and do a lot of stretches, especially of your neck muscles.
  • Ask your company to have an occupational therapist analyze your workspace toward coming up with ways to reduce stressors and strains.

    • The Headache Remedy Varies With The Headache

      Tension headache
    • Tension headache. This feels like a tight band around your head with possible additional pain in the neck. It calls for an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin or acetaminophen.
    • Migraine. Extreme pain on one side of the head may be accompanied by vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Prescription drugs may be needed.
    • Cluster headache: Sharp, severe pain in one side of the head lasts 45 to 90 minutes. There will be several every day for a period that may be as long as 12 weeks. Calls for preventative medicine and the possible use of oxygen.
    • Sex headache: Peaks with orgasm. Usually nothing to worry about, but if they recur often, see a doctor. They may be a sign of bleeding in the brain or stroke.
    • Ice cream headache: Pain that goes through the roof of your mouth when you take a bite of ice cream. Don’t take such big bites. (Why don't you learn how to make an ice cream soda)

    Resources:




    Other Articles of Interest


     

     
    Previous Tips »
    1. January 25th, 2010 at 10:32 am    dfhdfgf Says:

      I get headaches all the time and the best thing to do is to drink coke, well thats what I find(I know weird right).

    2. January 13th, 2010 at 7:44 pm    Mackenzie Says:

      I get Migraines Almost Everyday At School And If It’s Way Too Bad I Go Home And Take A Nap For About 3-4 Hours then i wake up and it’s gone! So Take A Nap And Try That To See if that helps

    3. August 12th, 2009 at 6:31 pm    Lindsay Says:

      Im 13 and ive been getting headaches since i was 8 all the time. they just get worse sometimes i get them for 3 days in a row. i use medicine sometimes but it doesnt alwayss work. im pretty sure there cluster headaches because i get one at least once a day. i get acupuncture because of stress and the headaches. but nothing works. i really need help.

    4. June 3rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm    serenity Says:

      Hey

      Im Havin a Headache rite now and wat helps is if u press on ur eyesockets a lil below ur eye brows …press and hold 4 ten secs and that releases cells that are your bodys own medicine…and u can also drink water with some cayenne pepper i think it wuz and it releases the same cells

    5. April 12th, 2009 at 10:53 am    alisha Says:

      i have a headache every day i’m only 13 and i just cant get rid of them i usaly try a pain pill and some caffine and it does some to get rid of it but i keep a close look on the comments here so if you have any advise for me please write i will try it. thanks

    6. January 4th, 2009 at 7:39 am    Scott Says:

      I Have Major Headaches. I’m 15. I Think They’re Sex Headaches. But I’ve Had Them For About 3 Weeks Now. And They’re Unbearable. How Do I Get Rid Of Them?

    7. December 22nd, 2008 at 12:35 am    jen Says:

      hii, im 13 and i get migranes heaps :( sometimes there so bad i have to go to hospital
      normally when i have a migrane i get a heat pack and put it in the microwave for 3 minutes, it makes it better but it might still be there, depends how bad your migrane is.
      i normally have hot milk that helps too and just lay on my bed or something

      like they said at the top laughing works, it distracts you from the migrane alot.

      i have a head ache now, but not a migrane and im going to try what emily said and do headstands on pillows too see if it works, LOL
      if it does ill let you know :)

    8. December 13th, 2008 at 8:51 pm    exploding head!! Says:

      my head feels like its going to explode on one side?? lots of pressure to much pain!! wtf!!! twice a day ! couple times a month maybee more !! are these migrains?? i think so !!

    9. October 4th, 2008 at 8:48 am    Jenna Says:

      If your headache is caused by lack of sleep, go drink a glass of water then go to bed. If it’s caused by too much sleep, get up, go for a run. Helps a lot :D

      And if you don’t get enough water, stay out of the sun unless you want a big headache.

      Remember, if something cannot be solved, stop worrying! Good luck to all the poor souls dealing with headaches. I’m typing this with a headache, so I definitely understand your plight. All the damn time!

    10. August 15th, 2008 at 8:02 pm    Emily Says:

      Hey I get headaches after I run in the morning, especially bad when I get my period. Actually, I get headaches with any type of physical activity. I am 13, and my mom won’t let me take the pill to get rid of them.I’ve tried alot of medicines, even the Vicodin left over from my wrist surgery. Any type of medicine (except the Vicodin) makes my headaches worse. Well, if I’m not on my period, I hang upside down with three pillows between my head and the floor. Helps a ton. Then, I go into my room, turn off the light, lay down, and do nothing. Helps aleviate the pain in about an hour. (1/2 upside down, 1/2 in my room.)

    Previous Tips »


     






    Copyright © 2007 by howtogetridofstuff.com