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Disease & Conditions

Headache

Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Headache

Headache:

These days, some 45 million people suffer from recurring headaches. And we spend $4 billion a year trying to get rid of them. Despite how common headaches are, everyone experiences them just a bit differently. The three general different types of categories are tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines. Since any headaches makes you feel miserable, distinguishing between the three categories may seem like splitting hairs. However, it is recommended you should know which type you are prone to, especially if your pain is chronic. It enables you to manage your pain more effectively. Here are some tips that you can consider to adopt to get relief fast and to head off headache in the future.

1. Learn To Relax

Prolonged stress can cause the muscles in your neck and shoulders to tighten, leading to a tension headache. When you feel those muscles tensing up, that is the time to slow down and if you can, to remove yourself from the stressful situation. In fact, you do not have to wait until you are tense to take action. Allow yourself some time every day for relaxation. Find a way to interrupt your stress, even if only for a half-hour.

2. Move It

Staying in one position for too long, whether you are hunched over your desk at work or curled up on the sofa watching television, can contribute to a headache. Get up frequently and stretch your muscles.

3. Cool It On Caffeine

One cup of coffee or another caffeinated beverage may help half a headache. More than that can actually trigger a headache. The more caffeine you consume, the more likely you are to experience headaches. If you need to cut down on caffeine, do so gradually. Otherwise, you might develop a caffeine-withdrawal headache. It usually starts about 18 hours after you drink your last caffeinated beverage and peaks 3 to 6 hours later.

4. Don't Go Hungry

You are more prone to get headaches if you go for long periods of time without eating. The theory is that skipping meals causes changes in blood sugar, which in turn trigger a reaction in your body that sets you up for a headache.

5. Head For Your Medicine Chest

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are still the treatment of choice for many folks bothered by headaches. These medications work equally well, so which one you choose is really a matter of personal preference. But you should not be using painkillers on a daily or almost-daily basis. If you are, you should see a doctor.

6. Send The Pain Packing

Wrap a frozen gel pack in a towel and place it directly on the area that hurts. Apply the pack for up to an hour, once or twice a day. You can purchase gel packs in drugstores and medical supply stores.

7. Feel The Heat

Apply a heating pad to your neck and shoulders to relax tight neck and shoulder muscles and ease a tension headache. Or take a hot shower, allowing the water to beat on your neck and shoulders and loosen the muscles.

Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit www.bodyfixes.com for more information.