Headaches can be very debilitating. Academics estimate that at least half of the world’s adult population experiences one at least once a year. There are myriad causes for them, from cold or flu viruses to not eating meals regularly.
When it comes to headaches, prevention is better than cure. Remedies for headaches can sometimes be ineffective. It is better not to get a headache at all than to try and remedy one after it has started.
This article will provide a closer look at headaches, exploring some causes for headaches, some preventions, and some cures:
Headaches – What Causes Them?
Headaches are extremely common these days. One of the main reasons for this is because many people work online, staring at computers for several hours at a time. Computer use leads to eye strain, which usually leads to headaches. In the words of eye health professionals from blockbluelight.com.au, blue light glasses worn when using one’s computer can prevent eye strain from starting. Eye strain is not the only cause of headaches however, some other causes include:
- Cold or flu viruses are a very common cause of headaches, especially when these viruses lead to a fever.
- Stress is another cause of headaches. Our bodies react to stressful events with a “fight or flight” response, which involves the release of chemicals that can lead to headaches.
- Drinking alcohol is another very common cause of headaches, as well as taking drugs.
- Bad posture can cause headaches also.
- Not eating regular meals is a very common catalyst for headaches.
- Eyesight problems can cause headaches.
- Dehydration is another extremely common cause of headaches. Studies have suggested that, at any given time, over half of the American population is extremely dehydrated. This is the same in many other countries as well.
How Can They Be Prevented?
Preventing headaches is much easier than treating them once they have already started. The reason for this is that once a headache has started, it can be difficult to reverse it. Sometimes the only way to treat a headache is to go to sleep, and even then, a particularly severe headache will continue to persist well on into the next day. If you are going to treat a headache once it’s started if you want the best chance at stopping it in its track, your best bet is to catch it early, but more on that later. Here is how you can prevent headaches:
- Avoiding triggers is perhaps the best way of avoiding a headache. Experts recommend creating a ‘headache diary.’ In this diary, you write all of your personal triggers down, so that, in the future, you can avoid them. Once you have identified a trigger, do your best to avoid it.
- Medication overuse is another common cause of headaches. You should only ever take your prescribed dosage of medicine. If it is OTC, then you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Overusing one’s medication doesn’t only result in headaches. It can also result in overdose, which can be fatal if done on the wrong drug.
- Get enough sleep, otherwise, you are almost guaranteed to develop headaches. A lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of headaches.
- Use blue light glasses when you are using your computer. Academics and scientists agree one of the most common causes of headaches in today’s society is the overuse of computers and digital devices. Blue light is the light that these devices emit. Too much of it can be very bad for your eyes.
- Skipping meals can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which can in turn cause headaches. Make sure to eat often, and healthily. Make sure that you drink enough water, also.
- Exercise regularly as well. A lack of exercise can lead to myriad health problems. Headaches are one such problem that one can face if exercise is not a big part of one’s life.
- Reduce caffeine intake. Consuming too much caffeine is a very common cause of headaches. Lots of people drink and eat far too much caffeine nowadays. It’s hard not to – it’s in everything!
What Are Some Effective Remedies?
As mentioned earlier, it’s best to catch headaches early if you want to stop them in their tracks. Once a headache has started, it can be very difficult to reverse it without going to sleep. Even so, here are a few ways that you can try to reduce your headache’s severity – or stop it altogether:
- Drink water when you begin to notice that a headache is beginning to start.
- Take some paracetamol, co-codamol, or ibuprofen.
- Take some magnesium.
- Stop drinking alcohol or smoking Cannabis.
- Go to sleep and get some rest.
- Avoid foods high in histamines.
- Use essential oils.
Headaches can be a nightmare to deal with, especially if they are frequent. This article’s guidance should help you to prevent – or reduce the severity of – your headaches. It might also be worth speaking to a doctor if you experience frequent headaches so that you can get to the bottom of their cause.
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