Health By

Rachel Murugi

When you get a headache, you may be tempted to run to the pharmacy or shop to buy painkillers. Others call their personal doctors each time they have a headache.

Before doing that, here are some amazing remedies that can help you do away with that annoying headache.

• Drink water

Dehydration can cause headaches, and that’s why it’s advisable that you stay hydrated especially when you are exercising or working under the sun.

Drinking water has been used to relieve headache symptoms in dehydrated individuals. To avoid the headaches, make sure you drink a lot of water through the day and eat water-rich foods.

It is recommended that you take eight glasses of water per day. For foods rich in water, bank on most fruits like pineapple, watermelon, or even sugarcane.

Sleeping is one of the most natural remedies used to prevent headaches. Not having that short nap or ample sleep may lead to health problems and severe headaches.

This is actually the reason why you are advised to have a maximum of seven to nine hours of sleep on a daily basis.

Having too much sleep can also trigger headaches so it’s important to have that balance in hours of sleep in order to avoid headaches and migraines.

• Get a massage

Research has shown that massaging your head especially at the back of your skull (the occipital nerve) can actually relieve headache pains.

This is a traditional healing technique across many cultures that has been passed down through generations.

Massaging your neck and temple may also help ease tension headaches that sometimes result from stress.

• Hot or cold compress

When you have headache symptoms like migraines and don’t know what to do, apply cold or frozen compresses to the neck or head. This decreases inflammation and also the nerve conduction which will help in reducing headache pains.

If you wish to make a cold compress, fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap it in a soft towel. Get to apply the compress at the back of the neck, head or temples for headache relief. When you’re having tension headaches, try to place a hot compress around the neck or at the back of your head.

In case you have a sinus headache, apply a warm compress around the part of your head that hurts .A hot, warm or cold shower might also help ease the headache pain.

• Have some relaxation

Whether it is doing some stretches, yoga or meditation, learning how to chill out when you have a headache may help relieve the pain.

Taking up activities like yoga may help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches because it helps in decreasing pain and increasing the quality of life.

Relaxing can also help when you have muscle spasms in your neck.

Try ginger or drink caffeinated tea/coffee

Ginger roots contain antioxidants and inflammatory substances which can help someone with chronic migraines. Ginger powder is as effective as conventional medications when you want to reduce headache pains.

Having some tea or coffee with a little caffeine can also help with reducing headaches but it isn’t advisable to consume too much because withdrawal from caffeine might also cause headaches.

Caffeine enhances mood, increases alertness and restricts blood vessels, all of which can have a positive effect by relieving headache symptoms. Remember, too much caffeine is hazardous to your health.

These are just a few simple remedies to use so as to relief the pain in your head, but if the symptoms persist, try visiting a doctor especially if you’re having them frequently.