Top 6 Home Remedies for Headaches That Doctors Recommend

Headaches are one of the most common ailments in the world. It’s something all of us experience in our lives. According to the WHO, one in every twenty people have headaches every day. Headaches are caused due to different reasons; most common headaches are tension-type. 

There are different types of headaches too, some of them are manageable, lasting for just a few minutes or an hour. While other, more severe types of headaches like migraines, can cause a lot of distress.

It is very important to know the root cause of the headache. If you don’t, you might continue to suffer from it in the future as well. The most common reasons include stress, lack of sleep, missed meals, etc. 

It can be a side effect of some medicines as well. The irony is that using too much medication for headaches can cause headaches as well. Once you narrow down the cause, you can check out these natural remedies that will cure your headaches to a great extent. 

Confused about the cause of your headache? Know the possible causes of a headache here! 

 

• Adequate Sleep:

 

You might have noticed that sometimes your headaches disappear after you sleep for some time. Sleep is a biological need, therefore you should sleep for at least 7-9 hours every day. 

Some of us lead very stressful lives, so it is only when you sleep that your body is fully relaxed and free from any worries. Some studies show that lack of sleep can cause weight gain as well. It is very important for brain function as well.

So, lack of sleep can cause an array of problems other than headaches. Maintain a proper sleep cycle and your headache will considerably decrease.

 

• Caffeine:

 

There has been a lot of debate about whether caffeine is good or bad for headaches. Most of the medications for headaches have caffeine in them. On the other hand, you might get withdrawal headaches because of it. 

The key is to find the right amount, which will be beneficial for your body. Now, this differs from person to person. If you have a habit of drinking a lot of coffee or caffeinated drinks, you should cut down on them. An occasional drink is alright and will help you with your headache as well.

 

• Apply A Cold/Hot Compress:

 

Depending on the type of headache you can apply a hot or cold compress. If its a migraine then you should use a cold compress, and if it stress-related you should use a warm one. There is no hard and fast rule about which compress to apply, even though the ones mentioned above are recommended. 

Choose whichever one you prefer. Use it for ten to fifteen minutes until the pain subsides. Some studies show that it helps soothe the pain to a great extent, as a cold compress reduces neurotransmission of pain to the brain, while the warm one helps relax the muscles. Whichever one you prefer this remedy has a good chance of working.

 

• Drink Lots Of Water:

 

A study conducted by the University of California in Davis mentions that water is very important for delivering nutrients to the brain. It also removes any unnecessary toxins from the brain as well. The study also mentions that a fully hydrated brain can do the functions mentioned above more efficiently. 

But, if you don’t stay hydrated this and many other functions of the brain are hindered and this can lead to various problems like headaches, loss of concentration, etc. The brain is after all 75% water. So, it is very important to stay hydrated throughout the day.

 

• Maintain A Proper Diet:

 

Sometimes, due to many reasons, our body doesn’t get the nutrients it requires to function properly. Some of us starve ourselves in a dire need to lose weight while some others eat way too much junk food. 

We have to make ourselves eat the right amount of food and at the right time. We shouldn’t just eat whenever we feel hungry. We should maintain proper intervals between meals as well. 

Maintain a proper diet and slowly you will notice that your headache will go away, along with a few other ailments you might have been facing. Here is the most popular 7 day GM diet plan. 

 

• Eat Foods Rich In Magnesium:

 

Almonds, bananas, leafy vegetable legumes, etc, are rich in magnesium. Magnesium is very good for curing headaches. According to studies, magnesium deficiency is more common with people who have headaches than people who don’t. 

So, try to include magnesium-rich foods into your diet. Try not to take magnesium supplements as that can cause other health-related problems.

These remedies and tips will surely help you lessen your headache, if not cure it completely. If the headache continues for a long time you might have to consider visiting a doctor. Sometimes it might be only a symptom of some other disease. Try avoiding medication for small headaches as far as possible, as too much of these medicines are bad for health.