Headaches

Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.

Preventing headaches:

  • Try avoiding the following potential causes:
    • Too much caffeine
    • Caffeine withdrawal
    • Bright lights
    • Alcohol, especially red wine
    • Cheese, especially aged cheese
    • Chocolate
    • Aspartame (artificial sweetener)
    • Dairy products
    • Hot dogs
    • Pizza
    • MSG
    • Figs
    • Peanut butter
    • Meats with nitrates (e.g., salami, bologna)
    • Sour cream
    • Nuts
    • Herring
    • Bananas
    • Lima beans
    • Onions
    • Yogurt
    • Food additives
    • Smell of perfume or scented products
    • Missing meals
    • Not enough sleep
    • Too much sleep
    • Grinding teeth (bruxism) during sleep – try wearing a mouth guard
    • Staying in one position (e.g., at a computer) for too long
    • Stormy weather
    • Breathing smoke
    • Premenstrual Syndrome reduce salt
    • Menstrual migraines ‚Ä¢ most common type of migraine
    • Birth control pills
    • Insufficent exercise

Treating headaches:

  • Consider trying whichever of the following seem appropriate:
    • Vitamins (B, esp. B-2 (Riboflavin))
    • Magnesium supplements
    • Massage
    • Acupuncture
    • Biofeedback ‚Ä¢ relaxation therapy which helps you control blood flow, muscle tension
    • Herbs (e.g., Feverfew)
    • Seeing a chiropractor
    • Yoga

If headaches increase in frequency and/or troubling and/or requires medication and/or does not respond to treatments which used to work for you:

  • Stop smoking
  • Limit caffeine
  • Avoid alcohol

If headaches persist:

  • See a doctor to determine the possible causes — some headaches are caused by heredity
  • Ask your doctor if your headaches might be caused by hormones — a reported 70% of headaches are caused by hormones
  • Don’t hesitate to seek treatment even if people tell you to put up with the headaches
  • Try to find a hospital or clinic which specializes in headaches

Children:

  • Migraine headaches are the most common type of headache in children under 7

If your child has one or more of the following indications of a possible migraine headache:

Unexplained vomiting
Stomach pain
Changes in behavior
Sleep disorders
Irritability
Head-banging episodes
Temper tantrums

  • Take your child to a doctor
  • Advise the doctor if there is a family history of migraine headaches
  • Ask your doctor about treating with:
    • Antihistamines
    • Antidepressants

EXPLORE: Health

Thanks for reading!