How to cure headache and migraine

There are three major classes of headaches and each of these classes of headaches is made up of different types of headaches. The three classes are:

• 1. Primary headaches
• 2. Secondary headaches
• 3. cranial neuralgias, facial pain, and other headaches

The basis of this classification is the source of the pain. In 2013, the International Headache Society came up with this current classification system for headache. Due to the fact that a good number of people suffer from headaches and because it is occasionally difficult to treat headaches, the plan was that this classification system will assist health providers to make a more precise diagnosis of the type of headache the individual is experiencing and make it much easier to treat the ailment completely.

It was also found that an individual may suffer from more than one type of headache either concurrently or successively. Headaches and migraines can vary in the degree of pain they bring and where the pain is located (the temples, the center of the head, the sinus area). For example, headaches can vary from ones that cause severe pain (chronic or debilitating migraines) to ones that are more irritating than painful (mild headaches).

• Mild: Mild headaches are more irritating than painful. A mild headache won’t interfere with your daily functioning, and they tend to cause a mild or nagging pain on both side of the temples or in the middle area of the forehead. The most common cause of a mild headache is tension, stress, eye strain, or sinus congestion. The headache often feels like a tight squeezing pain around the head, especially in the temples.
• Moderate: A moderate headache is one that will impact your daily functioning to some extent and is characterized by medium intensity migraines or headaches.
  Moderate headaches are typically caused by stress, harsh light or sound, allergies, tension at home or work, or eating really cold foods, like ice cream. These headaches are often aggravated or worsened by strong aromas (perfume, cleaning products, smoke, gasoline, car exhaust) and loud sounds.
  These type of headache sufferers often have the instinct to retreat from sound and light to a cool, dark place to recover.
• Severe: A severe headache, also called a primary headache, will definitely interfere with your ability to function at home, at work, or socially. Severe headaches are painful and are often classified as intense migraines or “cluster headaches,” which means they cause pain in several areas of the head (temples, between the eyes, etcetera) at the same time.
  A severe headache or migraine can last from a few hours to several days and they are very painful. Often, these types of headaches must be treated by a physician, who may prescribe a prescription medication to help alleviate the pain and occurrence of these headaches.
• Debilitating: Chronic and severe migraines are often called “debilitating headaches” because they often render individuals completely helpless in the face of them, making work and daily tasks impossible. Debilitating headaches are painful and long lasting, draining you of energy and time, because that kind of pain is very exhausting.
  An incredibly painful headache should never be ignored as it may be indicative of a severe head injury or underlying illness. It is strongly advised that anyone suffering with debilitating headaches, especially if they come on very suddenly, to speak with a physician immediately or go to the emergency room – especially if the headache is more painful than those experienced in the past. 

MEDICATION FOR MIGRAINES AND HEADACHES 

 Please always follow labeled directions on any medications. 

1. Ibuprofen for headaches

Ibuprofen (such as Advil) is an NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It works by blocking an enzyme in your body that produces prostaglandins, lipid compounds which behave like hormones in the body and which cause inflammation. If you’re looking for an affordable and fast-acting treatment for a mild headache, ibuprofen is a great option. Just make sure to check with your doctor, because NSAIDS can interfere with many prescription drugs, especially drugs such as lithium, warfarin, diuretics, methotrexate, and other commonly prescribed drugs.


2. Acetaminophen for headaches 

Acetaminophen is also an NSAID used that is used to treat headaches. Acetaminophen is less likely to upset your stomach, cause stomach bleeding, result to heart attack or cause ulcers than NSAIDs like ibuprofen. This is also the best over the counter pain reliever for headaches during pregnancy, as it won’t harm the fetus. However, just as with Advil and generic medications, consult with your physician about any and all possible drug interactions when considering using NSAIDS. For a good numbers of run-of-the-mill headaches, it's regularly recommended to start with acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic) first.

3. Aspirin for headaches

Like ibuprofen, aspirin works to stop the production of prostaglandins. It’s an anti-inflammatory analgesic that’s ideal for mild to moderate headaches. Aspirin can also be used as a preventative measure for migraines but is not deemed strong enough to relieve pain from a migraine that’s already struck. If you suffer from daily or consistent headaches, keep in mind that aspirin should not be taken more than twice a week. However, if you are taking prescription drugs that you cannot take with NSAIDS, regular aspirin might be the perfect choice for you.

The adult recommended dose of aspirin for treatment of headache pain is 325 to 650 mg every three to four hours as required, up to six times per day. Although aspirin may help ease acute migraine pain, it must not be used more than twice a week for treatment of headache to avoid rebound effect or medication overuse.

4. Naproxen sodium for headaches

For strong headaches, try naproxen sodium, an NSAID that helps relieve inflammation. If your headache is persistent, you’ll find that naproxen sodium tends to provide longer pain relief, minimizing the risk for side effects and being more cost effective. You’ll want to check with your doctor about taking naproxen with other prescription medications, as it is an NSAID, and can interfere with some prescribed drugs.

5. Combination of over the counter medications

Can’t decide on an over the counter pain reliever? Try a combination medication such as Excedrin. Excedrin is a common headache reliever and is a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. It can block pain but if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you could find yourself in worse shape because, again, this pain reliever contains some caffeine. If stimulants typically make you feel nauseous, shaky, or unable to sleep, this might not be the treatment for you. 

Headaches are typically related to more serious conditions, but could be a red flag that you’re overtired, hungry, thirsty, tense, hormonal or suffering from low blood sugar. While over-the-counter pain relief should do the trick, the following natural remedies should give you a head start:

HOMEMADE CURE FOR MIGRAINES AND HEADACHES 

Stay hydrated 

Inadequate hydration may lead you to develop a headache.

In fact, studies have demonstrated that chronic dehydration is a common cause of tension headaches and migraines. 

Thankfully, drinking water has been shown to relieve headache symptoms in most dehydrated individuals within 30 minutes to three hours. 

What’s more, being dehydrated can impair concentration and cause irritability, making your symptoms seem even worse.

To help avoid dehydration headaches, focus on drinking enough water throughout the day and eating water rich foods. 

Not drinking enough water is a well-known migraine and headache trigger, and it only takes minor dehydration to bring on a headache.

People can try to drink more water each day to avoid dehydration. People with severe dehydration may initially need an oral rehydration solution to replace missing electrolytes.

Drinking water throughout the day, and maintaining a healthful diet is usually enough to stay sufficiently hydrated

Magnesium Rich Foods 

Eating a nutrient-rich diet is one of the best ways to prevent and alleviate headaches, but perhaps the most important nutrient in this regard is magnesium. Individuals who have frequent headaches often have low magnesium levels, and increasing those levels can bring all-natural headache relief.

Doctors recommend taking 200-600 milligrams of magnesium per day to prevent headaches. It can be taken in capsule form with supplements or through healthy foods like whole grains, beans, broccoli, nuts, and seeds.

Hot Or Cold compresses 

Headaches are tricksy little things, with what clears them up for one person totally triggering them for another. There’s evidence to support both hot and cold compress treatments, and it all has to do with the muscles and blood vessels. Some headaches are caused, at least in part, by expanded blood vessel pressing on nerves.

For these, applying something cold to the area can constrict those vessels and relieve some of the pressure causing the throbbing ache. Other headaches are caused by tension and anxiety, and cold tends to tighten up muscles that then pinch nerves and enlarge blood vessels. You’ll have to play around to see if you’re someone who benefits from cold/ cool treatment or hot/warm, while some people find alternating between the two works best.

You will need

• Cold compress, such as a bag of frozen peas, a bag of ice, or a cold pack.
• Hot compress, such as a towel soaked in very warm water.

Directions

• Find a quiet place to lie down, preferably where you can dim the lights or turn them off. 
• Place the cold or hot compress on your forehead and relax. 
• At some point, try switching to the back of your head, or the top, depending on where the pain is concentrated.
• You can also try a cold compress at one location and a hot compress on another, either on your head, or place the hot compress on your shoulders if your headache is from tension. Do this for as long as you feel you need to. 

Try sipping fresh water through a straw if you can manage during or after the treatment, and make sure to ease back into your daily routine-don’t just dash onto a crowded street in blinding sunlight. 

Aromatherapy 

Essential oils with a “cooling” or anti-inflammatory effect can provide quick relief from a troublesome headache. I like to put a couple of teaspoons of fractionated coconut oil into a little roll-on bottle, and then add a few drops each of both peppermint and lavender essential oils. Then I give it a shake, and roll it on my forehead, temples and neck. 

Ginger

Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, humans have been harvesting the powers of this zesty root for centuries. Ginger has also been known to reduce the nausea that comes with migraine attacks. Chew on a fresh clump or drink ginger tea.

Touted as an elixir for headaches, ginger is a home remedy for instant relief. It helps reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, hence easing the pain. And since it stimulates digestion, it also helps quell the nausea which occurs during migraines.

Wondering how to use this miracle ingredient as a home remedy for headache? Steep ginger root for tea, or mix equal parts of ginger juice and lemon juice and drink up. You can consume this once or twice a day. You can also apply a paste of ginger powder and 2 tablespoons water on your forehead for a few minutes to provide quicker relief. You can also follow the instructions below.

You will need

• 3 quarter size slices of ginger root
• 2 cups of water

Directions

• Slice 3 slices off of a piece of raw ginger root, with each being roughly the size of a quarter. 
• Gently simmer the pieces of ginger in 2 cups of water, covered, for 30 minutes. 
• Use something to remove the pieces of ginger and transfer to a mug, or if you prefer, leave them in. 
• Sip slowly and breathe in the steam if you want. 
• Relax!

Avoiding Eyestrain

Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time is sure to leave your head aching. The most important thing you can do to avoid eyestrain is to take frequent breaks. Get up at least once every 15 minutes, and focus your eyes on something that is at least 20 to 30 feet away. Another tip for avoiding eyestrain is to adjust the brightness and the contrast on your monitor to lower levels. You should also have your monitor at eye level, and keep it at least 18″ away from your face.

Meditation 

The fact that migraine is a disorder of a hyper-excitable brain makes it plausible for individuals with migraine to use a stress-reducing lifestyle like meditation as a useful remedy. Scientific evidences show that behavioral interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy and biofeedback, can yield as much result as the traditional medicine used in the treatment of migraine. Mindfulness meditation was also found to be one the behavioral interventions that can help people manage their migraines.

According to the American Migraine Foundation, a 2014 study published in the medical journal Headache found that meditation can reduce the frequency of migraines to 1.4 fewer incidents each month.

Controlled studies show how mindfulness may reduce anxiety, depression and as well as our response to physical pain. Additionally, brain wave and imaging studies found that mindfulness practice can truly alter brain structure and functions. The study as well found that meditation promotes thickening of the cell-containing layers of the brain, and transforming positively in specific parts of the brain.

And it doesn’t take much time to add a brief meditation session to your daily schedule. Mindfulness meditation can be done through two techniques: stopping and observing. Stopping is when you practice the state of being instead of doing. You go quiet, and gently focus basically on your breath.

In an observing technique, you broaden your field of awareness away from the breath, and other body sensations like emotions and thoughts.

Get comfortable, either sitting or lying down, and begin to breathe deeply. Focus on the exact location of your headache while calming your mind. Shut everything else out and pour your energy into relaxing the pain away. You can also use what is called “imaging” techniques when you meditate. Picture a flower opening, billowing waves or some other relaxing image and focus all your attentions on that image while you relax all the muscle groups of your body. For some people, meditation is one of the most effective remedies for all types of headaches.

Rest is the best  

Resting or sitting in a darkened room can help relieve symptoms, especially if you are struggling with migraines, but it can help if you’re suffering from headaches. For best results, switch off all electrical appliances, close your eyes and focus on relieving tension in your neck, back and shoulders.

Stretch, Relax, Breathe and Exercise 

Our lives are fast paced, busy, and filled with more than a little stress. Our overworked minds and bodies react to this by tensing and knotting up muscles, usually in the upper back, neck, and shoulders. Thanks to a little something called referred pain-pain felt in an area other than where the actual painful stimulus is-we end up with tension-type headaches. To help head these buggers off, try some of the following tips.

Do yoga: Yoga will get your mind focused, stretch out your muscles, and get you moving in ways that can help you drop the tension-and if you drop the tension, you can drop the tension-headache. Just doing a few moves when the pain starts up can help, but the best thing to do is a set aside a few minutes each day to practice regularly and prevent headaches before they happen.

Breathe: You may think your breathing alright, but if your head is pounding you’re likely not getting the most out of the oxygen you take in. In general we take breaths that are too shallow, and when we are experiencing pain or stress, we definitely breathe to shallow. Make a conscious effort to take deep, full, breaths that start in your diaphragm and fill up your lungs. This will get your plenty of fresh oxygen circulating through your blood and will also help relax your mind and body.

Drop your shoulders: This is one I remind myself to do about 5 times a day. Make yourself aware of how you carry your shoulders. When you think of it, tell yourself to drop them down. You’d be surprised at how often we carry them hunched up too high, resulting in soreness and, of course, headaches.

Exercise: Exercise increases blood circulation which can help to relieve a headache. And if you’re exercising outside, the fresh air can also be beneficial! Exercise benefits and relaxes the whole body, so most sufferers of tension headaches experience marked relief with the addition of exercise.

 Apple cider vinegar headache remedy

This common kitchen staple can save the day when a headache strikes. Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy for all kinds of health conditions, including high blood pressure, allergies, fatty liver disease, GERD, heartburn, and sinus issues. If you have any of these kinds of conditions as well as headaches, apple cider vinegar might be the choice for you.

To use this remedy, mix 1 tablespoon of the vinegar into a glass of warm water and drink the entire glass down within 10 minutes. You might find that you can get away with less vinegar or that you need to double the dose. Always start out with the recommended dosage before adjusting based on your individual needs.