Headaches are common. According to Oxford Online Pharmacy, “A headache is a relatively mild to moderate pain in the head only, not usually accompanied by any other symptoms, and can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers, rest, food or water.”
A persistent headache is a cause for concern. Headaches are caused by various factors such as dehydration, insomnia, stress, brain tumours, hypertension, and diseases.
Whatever the reason, it is prudent to have a diary to record when you have a headache as it may help identify the triggers and how to avoid them. Nevertheless, you may prevent headaches by:
Hydrating
Water comprises 70% of the human body. It is crucial to hydrate the body as it will help you avert headaches.
Reducing stress
Stress can trigger a headache or make one worse. Therefore, it is critical to reduce stress levels by identifying and eliminating stress triggers such as work overload, financial concerns, and relationship issues. You can relieve stress by engaging in enjoyable activities like playing games with loved ones.
You can also listen to relaxing music or watch movies that you enjoy. Stress management requires you to learn how to balance your life so that you do not get overwhelmed by any one aspect of your life. This way, you can enjoy life without worrying about anything other than your health and well-being.
Exercise
Regular exercise can help you reduce stress and boost your immune system, which will help you avoid headaches and improve your mood.
Nutrition
You may also want to consult a nutritionist who can assist you in improving your diet. Adopting a healthier lifestyle may allow you to make better food choices that can help reduce the risk of headaches. You may also consider taking supplements such as magnesium or vitamin B12 to boost your health and energy levels.
Rest
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating disease caused by severe exhaustion. Its associated symptoms include muscle pain, headaches, joint pain, and unexplained weight loss. Taking a rest could be the best thing you could do to help relieve headaches.
It would be best if you avoided tiring activities, such as heavy lifting, running, or spending long hours in front of a computer screen. Instead, you should take a rest day every week to regain your strength while improving your immune system.
Medications
Depending on their severity and frequency, many medications are available for headache pain relief. Most of the time, these medications are used to treat chronic headaches for which there is no known cause, like migraines and cluster headaches. In these cases, taking medicines may be necessary to reduce the severity of your headache or prevent it altogether.
Over-the-counter medicines (OTC) such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be prescribed by doctors for mild to chronic headaches. However, OTC medicines can cause severe side effects in people with conditions like liver disease and kidney failure.
Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor before taking any medication for treating headaches. Others may experience adverse side effects when they stop taking these medicines. Thus, it would be best if you didn’t stop taking them without consulting your doctor first, as this could lead to more serious issues such as anemia or bleeding, which could cause death in extreme cases.