Medication Free Prevention Of Headaches And Migraines

Even though there are different kinds of migraines and headaches, the reasons why they occur are fairly common and are generally easy to prevent. If you suffer from them, try out these natural approaches to curing or preventing them.

Firstly, it is worth noting that doctors report that more than 75% of headaches and migraines are a result of dehydration. What this means is that drinking more water throughout the day can be enough to prevent the majority of problems. It is also best to stay away from coffee, soft drinks, and other sources of caffeine, as these cause you to further dehydrate.

The importance of sleep in relieving just about every form of pain and chronic condition can not be overlooked. It is essential for your general peace of mind, and equally significant in the prevention of migraines and headaches. You should get at least 6 hours sleep per night, but ideally a couple more than that too.

Regular activity can help prevent migraines and headaches as it releases mood enhancing chemicals called endorphins and lowers stress levels. Try aerobic exercise in the morning for at least 15 minutes. Keeping it light and easy is ok, as the purpose is just to get your blood, and the oxygen in it, flowing more readily around your body, particularly to your brain.

While particular foods help alleviate headaches and migraines, there are more that cause them. Be particularly aware of foods with a content of sugar, which cause problems for lots of people. Other foods which cause headaches and migraines are those which people are commonly allergic to, such as wheat or dairy products. Try to avoid suspected foods for two weeks to a month and assess whether there is any difference in the amount of headaches and migraines arising.

These suggestions will not cure or prevent all headaches and migraines, but they will have a noticeable, positive effect in most circumstances.

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This post was written by admin on February 16, 2010

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How To Stop Headaches

For numerous years I was disabled with migraines which happened almost daily. The condition went undiagnosed because of the severity of the accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea and diarrhea) led my doctors to believe I suffered some kind of recurring virus.

One particularly disparaging neurologist, renowned for his lack of bedside manner, clung to the belief headaches originated in my sinuses, prescribing a saline rinse twice daily, without success. For people with sinus problems, a saline rinse ranks high among the safe, inexpensive natural cures, but an x-ray or CT scan should be undertaken to eliminate the possibility of a structural problem.

Several medications and procedures were time-tested, including Botox injections to my forehead. Natural remedies like homeopathy, Reiki, and massage weren’t adequate to the stop the pain in my head.

A neurologist eventually realised that a combination of medications including a preventative dose of Depakote at bedtime, Promethazine as needed to relieve nausea, and Zomig.

Depakote works as a prophylactic, or preventative, medication, cutting back the frequency and severity of attacks. It should be noted that Depakote induces considerable weight gain, and should not be taken by pregnant women.

Zomig is most efficacious if it’s taken at the beginning of headaches. Fortunately for me, my insurance offers excellent prescription coverage, as Zomig is very expensive to buy. Zomig is included in a class of medications called triptans, which includes Relpax, Maxalt, Imitrex and Amerge. Triptans work by raising your tolerance to migraine pain, and are taken to abort, rather than prevent the migraine. Although extremely effective in relieving headache symptoms, triptans shouldn’t be looked upon as a cure; if the length of the headache exceeds the effective period of the medicine, the patient couldwind up suffering so-called rebound headaches.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or Naprosyn are usually more effective in providing relief for tension headache than aspirin or Tylenol.

Diverse components can trigger migraines, including bright light, stress, lack of sleep, and certain foods, such as chocolate and garlic. In my instance, the basic trigger seems to be artificial fragrances. My doctor suggested that this fragrance hypersensitivity may be prodromal, which is to say, symptomatic of the onset of a migraine. Fragrance sensitivity can be a major social handicap, as most people use either scented shampoo’s, makeup, or aftershave.

I find becoming overheated (such as having too many blankets at night) can also trigger or exacerbate headaches. A form of head ache known as the exercise-induced migraine has been acknowledged in recent years. Headaches induced by sexual activity usually have a vascular component. Treatments for this kind of headache include NSAIDs, using a cold compress to the forehead, and lying down in a dark, quiet room.

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This post was written by admin on July 26, 2009

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