Head hurt? Try these 14 natural remedies
We’ve all had the occasional headache; the kind that puts a damper on your day. For some of us, though, headaches are more than an occasional annoyance. They may cause such intense pain that you're prevented from going to work, caring for your family, or functioning at all.
Whatever the type of headache you experience — whether everyday or severe — there will be clues to help you determine next steps. By paying attention to the location of your headache and figuring out what causes them, you’ll have a good starting point for getting to the root of your problem.
The 4 types of headaches
Generally, headaches fall into four major categories:
1.
Tension headache
Also known as stress headaches, tension headaches are the most common type of headache in adults, affecting 78 percent of the population. Although they can be painful, this type of headache usually doesn’t keep you from going about your daily life.
Signs and symptoms: If you have dull pain on either side of the head, and pressure across the forehead, you likely have a tension headache.
Treatment: Usually, tension headaches are easily treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. These types of headaches can often be prevented by avoiding triggers, like getting too little sleep or drinking too much caffeine.
2.
Migraine headache
About 12 percent of the population suffers from migraines. Women are three times more likely to experience them than men. Migraines are most common between the ages of 18 and 44. The exact cause is unknown, but genes play a role. In fact, about 90 percent of migraine sufferers have a family history.
Signs and symptoms: Intense pain with multiple symptoms, including pain in the face or neck, throbbing in one area, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and distorted vision. Pain typically starts slowly and can last hours or days.
Treatment: For starters, try Excedrin®, which contains a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine (which speeds up the action of other ingredients). Then, lay down in a dark, cool and quiet place. If you have more than one migraine a month, talk to your primary care provider about treatment options, which may include certain prescription medications to prevent or stop the pain.
3.
Sinus headache
These types of headaches are a result of facial pressure from sinus congestion related to colds or seasonal allergies. They are less common than you might think and misdiagnosis is common. Some studies have shown that up to 90 percent of sinus headaches are actually migraines.
Signs and symptoms: If you have symptoms of a cold and feel pressure or tenderness in your face, sinuses, forehead, eyes or ears, you could have a sinus headache.
Treatment: For relief, you may try over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamines. If you have a sinus headache that lasts for more than ten days or keeps coming back, talk to your doctor.
4.
Cluster headache
These headaches are short and intensely painful, and often come at the same time each year. Cluster headaches are also quite rare, affecting one in 1,000 people, but men are five times more likely to get them, typically before age 30.
Signs and symptoms: Severe pain on one side of the head, usually around the eye. Cluster headaches start suddenly and can be difficult to determine their cause.
Treatment: Talk to your doctor about treatment options for cluster headaches, which may include injected medications, inhaled oxygen, steroids, or preventive medications.
Watch out for rebound headaches
Most of us reach for over-the-counter pain relievers to help headache symptoms. But when overused, pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can have the opposite effect. Rebound headaches, are caused by frequent or excessive use of pain relievers.
Rebound headaches usually happen to chronic headache or migraine sufferers who use over-the-counter medications more than a few times a week. It’s especially common in pain relievers with caffeine. To avoid rebound headaches, limit the use of pain relievers to no more than two to three days per week (or less than 10 days per month).
How to head off the ache — naturally
By learning your triggers and avoiding them, you can prevent headaches before they start.
Here are a few tips to consider:
When to seek treatment
See your doctor if you’re experiencing one or more headaches per week, or if they interfere with your everyday life. Your doctor may prescribe medication and identify any potential underlying medical conditions.
Immediately seek the help of a physician if you or someone you’re with experiences any of these severe headache symptoms.
Get the help you need from your Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance plan
Have a headache, and you're not sure what to do? Call BeWell 24/7® at 844-842-3935 day or night to receive an evaluation based on your symptoms and recommendations for where to go for care.
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