15 Ways to get rid of headaches, must try!

Headaches can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. The symptoms of headaches that arise can also vary from person to person. However, don't let the headache interfere with your usual activities. There are various ways to get rid of, treat, or relieve headaches that can be tried as below.

Various ways and tips to get rid of headaches

The causes of headaches and symptoms that are felt in each person can vary. Sometimes, the cause is unknown, but a headache can also be a sign of a medical condition or illness. The Mayo Clinic says knowing the differences in the causes and symptoms can help you and your doctor determine the type of headache you are experiencing.

Each type of headache requires different treatment. For example, secondary headaches can subside when the disease causing them is controlled, or tension headaches can be relieved when stress or the tension in the muscles around the neck is resolved.

However, apart from these methods, there are some tips that you can try to help relieve, reduce, or even cure the headaches you experience. Here are some ways, tips, or tricks to help get rid of headaches fast that you can try:

1. Drink lots of water

The benefits of drinking enough water are very diverse, including being a way to deal with headaches. By drinking lots of water, dehydration can be overcome. As for several studies, dehydration is a common trigger for headaches, including migraines.

In addition to reducing headaches, drinking lots of water can also help prevent headaches from recurring in the future. To do this, you can carry a water bottle with you wherever you go and drink it throughout the day, especially once you start to feel thirsty. In addition, you can overcome dehydration by increasing the consumption of foods that contain water.

2. Compress the head area with ice

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When your head is churning due to headaches or migraines, the quickest way to deal with the pain is to compress your forehead or temples with a cold cloth. Cold compresses can block the release of inflammatory stimulants moving toward the head, which can reduce pain.

To do this, you can use a cold, wet washcloth or fill a small bag with ice and wrap it in a towel or soft cloth. Place the compress on the sore head for 10-15 minutes. If you want to do it again, give it a pause for 15 minutes first.

3. Use heating pad or a warm compress

It's different if you experience tension-type headaches (tension headache). For this type of headache, you can use a heating pad (heating pad) in your neck or the back of your head as a way to reduce pain and relieve long-standing muscle tension.

If it doesn't have heating pad, You can make your own warm compress with a towel soaked in warm water or a bottle filled with warm water. In addition, bathing or soaking in warm water can be one way to treat this type of headache.

4. Avoid pressure on the head area

When a headache strikes, as much as possible remove the excess pressure in the head area. The reason is that headaches can sometimes be triggered by too tight a hair tie, a narrow hat, wearing too long or too small glasses, and wearing a headband (headband) while exercising.

Loosen the ties in your head area or first remove any accessories that stick to the head until the pain subsides on its own.

5. Rest in a dim or dark place

Bright, flickering lights, or glaring lights from computer screens can also cause headaches and migraines. Therefore, if the headache gets worse, first get out of your seat and rest in a place with low light.

Turn off the lights and close the windows by tightening the blinds. Make the room atmosphere as calm as possible, away from the crowd. If you are out of the house to do activities, wearing sunglasses can be a way to get rid of headaches without medication.

6. Stop chewing

If you have a headache, avoid chewing hard and sticky foods, including chewing gum. This not only makes your jaw sore, it can make your headaches worse.

From a study found, chewing gum can trigger headache attacks, especially in the types of tension headaches and migraines. Therefore, you should stop this habit if you have a headache to help treat these symptoms.

7. Get enough sleep

Sometimes, headaches can be relieved simply by improving your sleep patterns. If sleep deprivation can be one of the triggers, having enough sleep can be one way to get rid of headaches without medication. Not only that, getting enough sleep with a regular routine can also reduce the frequency or even prevent headaches in the future.

8. Stretch

One of the causes of headaches is muscle tension due to stress or other conditions. Therefore, another way to deal with headaches that can be done is to relax the body and stretch.

In addition to stretching, you can also do sports that can help relieve headaches, such as yoga, pilates, tai chi, and regular walking.

9. Do a head massage

Another way to get rid of headaches is to massage the head, neck and temple area. Just like stretching, massaging these areas can relax your body and help relieve tension headaches caused by stress.

Massage for headaches can be done by massaging the affected area of ​​the head using the index finger or thumb. Give a light massage for a few seconds and repeat until the pain starts to subside.

10. Improve posture

Good posture can help your muscles not tense up, which can reduce headaches. Therefore, one way or tips to deal with headaches without medication is to improve and maintain your posture.

To maintain this posture, you can straighten your shoulders and raise your head while pulling your abs and buttocks while standing up. When sitting, make sure that your thighs are parallel to the floor and that your head is not bent forward.

11. Foods to cure headaches

Eating certain foods is believed to be a way to relieve headaches. As for some headache-relieving foods that you can try, namely vegetables, nuts, chocolate, or other types of foods that contain magnesium. Apart from food, magnesium supplements can also be an option for you.

Magnesium is said to help the body relax blood vessels so that blood and oxygen flow to the brain. It is believed that this food intake can reduce the frequency of migraines, including migraines or headaches during menstruation.

12. Drink warm tea or coffee

For those who like tea and coffee, this method is certainly not to be missed to get rid of headaches. Tea or coffee that contains caffeine is claimed to be able to relieve headaches.

When a headache strikes, the body releases adenosine which causes the blood vessels of the head to dilate, causing pain. Caffeine intake helps narrow these dilated blood vessels. However, also pay attention to the levels of caffeine you consume because excessive caffeine can also trigger headaches.

13. Do acupuncture

Acupuncture is a type of traditional medicine that originated in China. The way acupuncture works is by inserting thin needles into specific points on areas of the body.

A study shows acupuncture can be a good way to relieve chronic headaches and migraines. The needles that press on this particular area can stimulate the nerves so that they release endorphins.

14. Perform physical therapy

Slightly different from other types of headaches. Types of headaches cervicogenicit may only be cured by physical therapy. Headache cervicogenic this is a secondary type of headache that starts in the neck area but feels only in the head.

Physical therapy exercises that will usually be done are moving the head and neck, joint mobility, muscle strength and endurance in the inner neck.

15. Taking headache relievers

If the method above is still not able to relieve your headache, what you can do is rest and take headache medication, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, and others. These headache medications are available in pharmacies and you can buy them over the counter without a doctor's prescription.

However, if the headache is so annoying or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should immediately see a doctor to get a more appropriate prescription drug or other treatment that suits your condition.

In addition to the methods above, you can also try various natural remedies for headaches that you can easily find at home. Some of these natural remedies such as ginger brewed with water or using essential oils. In addition, also avoid various bad lifestyles that can trigger headaches in you, such as consuming alcohol, smoking, stress, or skipping meals.