Got a Headache? Here Are 10 Ways to Prevent One
Kim Archer
There's nothing like a throbbing headache to bring you down. Suffering with a headache can deplete your energy reserves, reduce your efficiency, and put a halt to everyday activities. Who needs the pain?
Headaches come in all varieties, from tension headaches and migraines to sinus headaches. As we understand more about headaches, we can learn which ones we can prevent and which ones we can simply minimize.
Instead of constantly reaching for the aspirin bottle, try a more proactive approach to pain management. By following these 10 effective strategies, you can stop your next headache in its tracks.
1. When you're outside on a sunny day, cover your head with a hat. Too much of the sun's heat can cause vascular changes in your brain and alter its delicate balance of fluids. The result is frequently a headache.
2. Avoid exhaust fumes. The noxious mix of chemicals produced by construction equipment or a car's exhaust pipe can rapidly set off a headache.
3. Keep it loose - your hair, that is. Tight ponytails, braids and buns aggravate the muscle tissues near your scalp, which frequently leads to a headache. The same goes for close fitting hats, headbands, and heavy earrings.
4. Relax. Tension headaches are caused by - you guessed it - too much tension. Clear your mind of worries. When you feel overwhelmed, listen to music, soak in a hot tub, light some scented candles, or take a nap.
5. Shut out the racket. Noise pollution is a leading cause of headaches. And we're not just talking about the cacophony of a busy city street with traffic and construction. Turn down the volume on your stereo. Turn off the TV if you're not watching it. Send the kids outside to play. Invest in some ear plugs for when you venture out into noisy surroundings.
6. Make a visit your dentist. Sometimes, toothache pain can actually masquerade as headache pain, or can make a headache occur when you didn't have one before. Making sure everything is fine in your mouth will help ensure that everything is fine with your head, too. This is especially true if your troublesome tooth is in your upper mouth instead of your lower mouth.
7. Straighten up. Poor posture can trigger a headache because it puts pressure on the muscles in your shoulders and neck. If your job requires you to sit most of the day, take care that your workstation is set up to discourage slouching. You might want to try out a cushion to support your back.
8. Eat on a regular basis. Skipping meals leads to low blood sugar and reduced energy, which can cause a headache or even a migraine.
9. Avoid monosodium glutamate and caffeine, both of which are known to cause migraines.
10. Start a headache diary. Whenever you experience a headache, make note of the conditions. Did you eat something strange? What was the weather like? Were you unusually stressed, or maybe in PMS? After a while, your headache journal can help you identify a pattern to the cause of your headaches.
Certainly, there are lots of causes for a headache, and these guidelines shouldn't be replacement for a visit to your doctor. But it's worth a try to see if you can discover what's triggering your chronic headaches and pre-empt them without popping pills.
Give it a try and just see if you can put that aspirin bottle away, or at least reduce the amount you take.
About the Author:
Kim Archer writes about women's wellness. She is publisher of The Internet Spa, where you'll find up-to-date information to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.
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