Headaches arise for a variety of reasons. In some cases, they’re caused by inflammation in the brain. In other cases, they’re caused by stress and anxiety. However, regardless of why they present themselves, they’re undoubtedly painful and debilitating conditions that leave you wanting to know how to get rid of a headache fast.
Do you suffer from chronic headaches in Spring or Houston, Texas? Looking for ways to reduce their frequency and severity? You’re in the right place.
1. Drink Plenty of Water
One of the most common causes of headaches is dehydration. If you’re in a perpetual state of dehydration, you will almost certainly develop throbbing head pain. As such, it’s important for you to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
On average, adults are advised to consume 8 8-ounce glasses of water every day. If you’re a bigger individual, you might need 10 or more. If you’re a smaller individual, you might be able to get by with 6 or less.
Want to ensure that you meet your hydration goals? Carry a bottle of water around with you wherever you go. You’ll instinctively take sips from it throughout the day, almost guaranteeing that you’ll meet your water needs.
2. Get Adequate Sleep
Another common cause of headaches is lack of sleep. The less sleep a person gets, the more stress his or her body will be subjected to. The more stress he or she is subjected to, the greater the chance that it presents itself as a headache.
Generally, it’s recommended for adults to get between 7 and 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every day. Ideally, this sleep will take place at the same time. So, if you go to sleep at 11:00 PM on Tuesday, you should go to sleep at 11:00 PM on Saturday as well.
3. Make Use of Magnesium
There is some evidence to suggest that those who suffer from chronic migraines also suffer from a deficiency in magnesium. As such, if you suffer from migraines, you need to make sure that you’re meeting your daily magnesium needs.
If you’re deficient in magnesium, you have two different options: 1. Eat more foods containing magnesium, or 2. Take magnesium supplements. Some magnesium-rich foods include spinach, bananas, avocado, almonds, and tofu. Magnesium supplements can be purchased at many stores, both online and in-person.
4. Take Advantage of B Vitamins
It’s not only magnesium that can help to stave off migraines but B vitamins as well. Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin B-12, in particular, have shown an ability to reduce the effects of migraines over time.
The B vitamins can be consumed in a variety of ways. One option is to take B vitamin supplements. These are available in most retail stores.
The other option is to consume foods that are rich in B vitamins. These foods include red meat, fish, poultry, nuts, whole grains, and dairy, to name just a few.
5. Apply Cold
Often times, headaches are caused by inflammation within the brain. So, if you can eliminate the inflammation that causes the headache, you can eliminate the headache as well.
A simple but effective method for doing this is to apply cold to the head. By placing an ice pack or cold compress on the skull, you constrict the affected blood vessels, ease the inflamed area, and reduce the severity of headache-related symptoms.
6. Weed Out Foods You’re Intolerant Of
Another common cause of headaches is a food intolerance. A food intolerance describes the body’s inability to properly process and digest a specific food. Those who have such intolerances suffer a range of negative effects, including but not limited to bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and, of course, headaches.
To discover whether you might be suffering from food intolerance, you’re advised to weed out certain foods for weeks at a time. If your symptoms go away during the times that you’re ceasing to eat a specific food, that food could be causing you trouble.
The most common food intolerances are intolerances to gluten and lactose. Whereas gluten is found in most grains, lactose is found in dairy products. Note, however, that there are other intolerances out there as well.
7. Reap the Benefits of Caffeine
You’ve probably heard that caffeine is bad for you, and, when consumed in excess, that’s absolutely true. However, caffeine isn’t always bad. In fact, if you’re suffering from a headache, it could be just the thing you need.
Caffeine combats headaches by constricting the blood vessels in the brain. In doing so, it reduces inflammation, helping to eliminate pain.
8. Give Yoga a Try
Another method to help eliminate headaches is to engage in yoga. Yoga combats headaches through a number of means, including the decompression of psychological stress and the relieving of physical stress.
By practicing meditation and performing specific poses, you can quell anxiety and eliminate physical stress in the body. Some of the best poses to use for headache relief include the Big Toe Pose and Corpse Pose.
9. Take Advantage of Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic is a form of medicine that focuses on the spine, joints, and nervous system at large. While it can be used to treat a range of different medical problems, it’s proven very successful in the treatment of headaches.
By manipulating the spine and other pressure points in the body, chiropractors can remove stress from patients’ heads and necks. In doing so, they relieve pain, thus reducing or eliminating headaches altogether.
There are all types of chiropractic treatments out there, each of which provides different benefits. Read up about them now!
That’s How to Get Rid of a Headache Fast
And there it is, that’s how to get rid of a headache fast. While the above-reviewed methods won’t prove successful for everyone, they have proven successful for some and are — at the very least — worth a try.
Are you, by chance, interested in taking advantage of chiropractic services? If so, and if you live in or around Spring or Houston, Texas, Elite Spine and Health Center can accommodate you.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
