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Patient Education

2019-08-23
Six Things to do if You get Headaches Too Often

Headaches

Do you get headaches too often? Is it because of your busy lifestyle or excessive screen time? Irrespective of the reason, here are a few things that you must do to get rid of the pain.

1) Get Enough Sleep

The average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep a night. When you don’t get enough sleep at night, your mind won’t get the rest it expects, and this will result in headaches. Thus, the best treatment for headache if to get enough sleep at night. Moreover, you must sleep and wake-up at the same time to create a mental schedule that your brain will get used to.

2) Limit Screen Time

Continuous exposure to mobile phones, laptops, computers, televisions, and other digital screens can strain your eyes and brain, resulting in headaches. The stress is even more if you are exposed to these screens in a dark room or surrounding. Therefore, lower your screen time by limiting the duration you use these devices for. If you can’t cut down on the same, use anti-glare glasses that can protect your eyes from bright light and rays.

3) Do Some Yoga

Helpful treatment for headache is yoga. Yoga poses and other types of stretching can help reduce muscle tightness and tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. Meditation exercises, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques can ease your mind-and your pain-by helping you focus on the present moment as well as helping you foster a positive attitude. 

4) Exercise Well

One of the simplest treatment for headache frequency and severity is to engage in physical activity. When you have headaches, intense exercise, such as running, can aggravate the discomfort. Do something lighter and simpler to keep yourself moving without overdoing anything. Indulge in the warm-up and stretching moves. Warm-up exercises prepare your body for physical activity, while stretching after exercise signals your body to cool down. Biking, swimming, and walking are great ways to fit in aerobic exercise and help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.

5) Avoid Caffeine

Although it is assumed that you must have coffee, tea, or other caffeinated drinks when you experience headaches, you must actually avoid doing so. Caffeine may not work well for some people, and if you are one of them, your pain will be worse than ever. So, either limit your consumption or try and see what works well for you. 

6) Watch What You Eat

Your diet has a direct relation to your well-being and even headaches. So, take care of your diet because certain food intolerances can trigger headaches in some people. Aged cheese, alcohol, chocolate, citrus fruits and coffee are among the most commonly reported food triggers. Also, avoid foods that have derivatives of nitrates. Nitrates and nitrites are common food preservatives added to items like hot dogs, sausages and bacon to keep them fresh by preventing bacterial growth.

If your pain persists, you must visit your doctor. Your doctor will identify the cause of the perpetual headache and suggest the right treatment for the same. Another helpful treatment for headache is the right physiotherapy exercises that your doctor will also suggest.