Types, Causes and Home Remedies for Headache Treatment
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Posted On :
Jan-15-2011
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Article Word Count :
702
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Traditional theories about headaches link tension-type headaches to muscle contraction, and migraine and cluster headaches to blood vessel dilation (swelling)
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Traditional theories about headaches link tension-type headaches to muscle contraction, and migraine and cluster headaches to blood vessel dilation (swelling). Pain-sensitive structures in the head include blood vessel walls, membranous coverings of the brain, and scalp and neck muscles. Brain tissue itself has no sensitivity to pain. Therefore, headaches may result from contraction of the muscles of the scalp, face or neck; dilation of the blood vessels in the head; or brain swelling that stretches the brain's coverings. Involvement of specific nerves of the face and head may also cause characteristic headaches. Sinus inflammation is a common cause of headache. Keeping a headache diary may help link headaches to stressful occurrences, menstrual phases, food triggers, or medication.
Tension headaches are due to contraction (tightness) of the muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw. They are often related to stress, depression, or anxiety. Overworking, not getting enough sleep, missing meals, and using alcohol or street drugs can make you more susceptible to headaches. Foods that can trigger a headache include chocolate, cheese, and monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer. People who drink caffeine can have headaches when they don't get their usual daily amount.
Other common reasons lead to a tension headache include performing an activity that causes you to hold your head in one position for a long time (like using a computer, microscope, or typewriter), sleeping in a cold room or an abnormal position, overexerting yourself, clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth.
Tension headaches tend to be on both sides of your head. They often start at the back of your head and spread forward. The pain may feel dull or squeezing, even like a tight band or vice around your head. The muscle tension often begins in your shoulders, neck, or jaw before spreading to your head. Therefore, these areas may feel tight and sore as well.
Migraine headaches are severe, recurrent headaches that are generally accompanied by other symptoms like visual disturbances or nausea. They tend to begin on one side of your head, although the pain may spread to both sides. You may have an "aura" (warning symptoms that start before your headache) and usually feel a throbbing, pounding, or pulsating pain.
Cluster headaches are sharp, extremely painful headaches that tend to occur several times per day for months and then go away for a similar period of time. They are far less common than migraine or tension headaches. Sinus headaches cause pain in the front of your head and face. They are due to inflammation in the sinus passages that lie behind the cheeks, nose, and eyes. The pain tends to be worse when you bend forward and when you first wake up in the morning. Postnasal drip, sore throat, and nasal discharge usually occur with these headaches.
Home Remedies for Headache
Roast some caraway seeds dry. Tie in a soft handkerchief or muslin cloth and sniff to get a relief from headaches.
Apply the paste of 3-4 cloves on the fore head.
A peeled and chopped apple, with a sprinkle of salt eaten first thing in the morning, for at least a week will cure chronic headaches.
Make a herbal tea with 10-15 holy basil leaves (tulsi), 5-6 peppercorns and 1/2" ginger piece, powder. Keep in an air tight bottle. Take 2 pinches with warm water when a headache starts.
Massage head with rosemary oil.
Add water to 1 tbsp ginger powder. Heat gently in a pan. Apply the warm poultice on forehead. Keep for 15 minutes.
Another headache home remedies theory is all about magnetism and ions, but suffice to say that a room with a humidifier or a walk on a bridge over troubled water provides relief for many people. Giving up smoking is a good (but hard!) one. Getting up at the same time every day is VERY important for people like me ("weekend headaches" often attack those who sleep in on weekends). Buckwheat pillows for many people (including me) go a long way toward relieving the pain, because they cool things off and provide much needed support. I like eye pillows with flax seed as well.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Types, Causes and Home Remedies for Headache Treatment_48621.aspx
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Author Resource :
Also read about Headache and Memory Enhancement
Home Remedies for Dry Skin and also more read on gonaturalremedies.com
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Keywords :
headache remedies, what causes headaches, cluster headache,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Health and Fitness
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