(see also Migraines)
Usually, headaches are quickly remedied with painkillers that provide relief but no insight as to what caused the problem. Headaches can occur as splitting migraines, which can be disabling and cause nausea and vomiting, or as muscle-tension headaches, causing a steady, dull ache in the forehead or back of the head, relieved with a massage, cold compress or just rest. Whatever the cause, the most effective method of preventing recurrences is to find its origin and resolve the underlying problem. Headaches are rarely serious, but if they persist or become unbearable, the cause must be established professionally.
Recurring pain is a signal that something is wrong in the body. This signal needs to be heeded and the underlying cause removed. In many cases, headaches are a result of muscle tension in the neck and back, from prolonged sitting, improper posture, stress and anxiety, or from a curvature of the spine.
The influence or sudden withdrawal of all kinds of substances that affect the brain, including caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and drugs, will cause headaches. Blood pressure changes and low blood sugar from neglect of food or the rebound effect of sugar will also be brought to your attention by headaches. Head congestion from allergies or a sinus infection is similarly felt. A lack of oxygen in stuffy, poorly circulated rooms, or from illnesses like anemia, will trigger head pain in sensitive people, as can changing weather conditions.
Other common sources of headaches are digestive disturbances, food allergies and sluggish bowels from constipation. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a taste enhancer in many canned, packaged and restaurant foods which can cause severe headaches.
Overstrained eyes are another source of headaches. Meticulous work done in poorly lit conditions, hours of staring into computer screens or poor eyesight are some underlying causes. Glaucoma should also be taken seriously if it is suspected. Any marked headache following a hard bump on the head should be investigated, even if it occurs a few days after the injury. Headaches that continue for longer periods must be analyzed for more serious problems.
Many headaches are diet-related and can be
prevented by regulating the food one eats. Hypertensive headaches can result from eating aged protein foods such as mature cheeses, cured meats and sausages, herring and pickled herring, which contain the naturally occurring substance tyramine.
Other foods containing tyramine which can cause headaches are alcoholic beverages, chocolate, bananas, citrus fruits, avocado, cabbage and potatoes. Tyramine-induced headaches, which are usually dull, can become quite severe in combination with MSG. Monosodium glutamate is used to enhance the taste of canned soups, TV dinners and meats.
In some people, food sensitivities or allergies are the cause of headaches. Possible trigger foods are those containing sulphur and other blood pressure lowering substances, such as garlic, onions, green peppers, watermelon, cabbage, cucumber, parsley and radishes. Any food allergen can elicit a headache response, and food allergies may be the major cause of migraines.
One of the most common headaches results from caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine-containing foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, cola, coffee-flavored ice-cream and coffee liqueurs should be carefully regulated or avoided altogether. Hunger headaches, to which hypoglycemics are particularly susceptible, can be avoided by carrying a small snack, such as a piece of cheese, to eat between meals.
Eat green, leafy vegetables, white beans and whole grains for niacin (vitamin B3) and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). These are needed to prevent headaches due to insufficient blood-vessel dilation. Nutritional yeast flakes, which can be sprinkled on salads and added to soups and sauces, or spreadable yeast concentrates, are an excellent source of the B vitamins. Natural, plain yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut provide friendly intestinal bacteria needed by the body to produce B vitamins.
Supplementation depends on the cause of the headache, whether it is muscle tension, misalignment of the spinal column, blood pressure, anemia or otherwise. If the cause is known, refer also to other conditions for more specific information.
Many headaches are associated with muscle spasms and tension; calcium is highly recommended to help reduce the headaches due to nervous tension and PMS, and magnesium also helps relax muscle spasms. Those suffering from migraines are often deficient in magnesium.
Increasing circulation and oxygen supply to the brain can help improve headaches. Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 help improve circulation and increase oxygen supply.
Headaches related to allergies can be treated with large amounts of vitamin C with bioflavonoids. The bioflavonoid quercetin is highly recommended.
Since the estrogens in oral contraceptives increase vitamin B6 needs, women who suffer from birth control pill-induced or aggravated migraines will especially benefit from vitamin B6 supplementation.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Calcium, 1,000 mg
Magnesium, 500 mg
Vitamin B6, 100 mg
Vitamin B complex,
100 mg
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg three times daily
Helpful
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU
Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg twice daily
Quercetin, 250 mg three times daily
Herbal teas, oils and baths help relax tense muscles and increase circulation to the brain.
A warm herbal bath will often relieve a headache resulting from tense muscles. Add 10 drops each of lavender and lemon balm oil to bath water and relax for twenty minutes.
Rub a few drops of lavender or peppermint oil on temples and forehead to bring fast relief. Do not use on broken skin and keep away from eyes.
Ginger tea is good for a migraine headache felt at the front of the head.
If a headache is caused by overeating, take a peppermint tea.
Ginkgo (24% standardized extract), two 40 mg capsules, increases blood supply to the brain. Take 20 drops of tincture three times daily.
For nervous, stress-related headache, combine 20 drops skullcap tincture with 5 ml lemon balm and take three times daily with water.
Studies have revealed that feverfew reduced the mean number and severity of migraine attacks and also the vomiting associated with these attacks.
The remedies below are excellent natural pain relievers for the occasional headache. Choose one in a 6c strength, taken every fifteen minutes for three doses, then hourly if necessary until the pain subsides. One dose is 2 tablets dissolved under the tongue.
Belladonna is an excellent remedy for headaches which appear suddenly and violently. The head feels and even looks hot. The pain is throbbing and feels congested. The person is most sensitive to jarring, light and noise, and feels the most relief from sitting still.
Bryonia will help the steady ache which is worsened by the least motion. At its worst, even moving the eyeball hurts.
If the headache is situated at the back of the head and extends to the forehead, accompanied by great weakness, exhaustion and droopy eyelids, Gelsemium is an excellent choice.
When the headache is caused by overuse of stimulants, overeating or too little sleep, Nux vomica will help. This type of headache will typically begin in the morning on waking. It produces great irritability and impatience and is usually associated with digestive upsets.
If a head injury is the cause, Arnica should be used.
Take 4 tablets under the tongue, every half hour or less often, as needed.
If the headache is throbbing, the face hot and congested, with a heightened sensitivity, use Ferr phos.
Nervous headaches due to anxiety and tension will be helped by Kali phos.
Mag phos relieves muscle spasms and cramped nerves.
Hot compresses on the back of the neck, alternating hot and cold foot baths, cold knee or thigh affusion, water stepping and dew walking help alleviate a headache.
A hot Epsom salt bath will help relieve a headache due to tension.
Massage neck and shoulders to relax tense muscles. Rub along both sides of the spine to relax.
Lie in a dark room and place a cool compress on the forehead.
If you regularly wake up with a headache, try exchanging the pillow for a neckroll. A chiropractic adjustment may work as well.
Assure regular bowel movement by taking flax or psyllium seeds and occasional enemas to clean the bowel.
If headache is due to circulation problems, vigorously massage scalp.
With a headache caused by an inflammation, apply onion poultices to the neck, the calves or the soles of the feet.
Wear a small pulsing electromagnetic device for a headache that is a result of bad weather or working at computers for a prolonged period of time or exposure to other electromagnetic-emitting appliances.
Get lots of regular outdoor exercise, such as walking, jogging and swimming, to prevent recurring headaches. Do not overstress the body. Rest and relaxation are just as important.
Reflexology
For a headache at the temples, press the inner side of the big toe at the nail bed with the nail of the thumb.
With a headache at the back of the head, press at the bottom of the big toe where it begins at the sole.
Work the reflexes of the head, neck, sinus, solar plexus, tailbone and spine, as illustrated.
Acupressure
Apply deep thumb pressure for one minute to the points on arm and legs, as illustrated.
Finding the underlying cause of your headache will be more effective in alleviating the problem. When you are suffering, try to think of the circumstances. Have you eaten, had enough sleep, been under more stress than usual? Where does it hurt: the eyes or the sinuses?
Nutritional Supplements
Multi Element Buffered C
(Klaire Laboratories)
Pure E w/40% mixed tocopherals
(Klaire Laboratories)
Calcium and Magnesium Citrate
(Natural Factors)
Herbal Remedies
Pain Away Traditional Pain Remedy (Flora)
Holistic Horizons Colon Cleansing Program (Inno-Vite)
Feverfew Extract (Natural Factors)
Ginkgo Biloba Phytosome (Natural Factors)
Natural Pain Ease (Natural Factors)
Feverfew-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Ginger-Peppermint Combination
(Nature's Herbs)
Ginkgo-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Migracin-Plus (Nature's Herbs)
White Willow (Nature's Herbs)
Willowprin Max (Nature's Herbs)
Ginkgo Biloba Phytosome (Sisu)
Homeopathy
Rescue Remedy/Bach Flower Remedies (Bach-Karooch Ltd)
Arnica (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Belladonna (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Bryonia (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Gelsemium (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Nux Vomica (Nelsons Homeopathy)
External Therapies
Olbas Oil (Flora)
Cajeput Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Eucalyptus Oil (Karooch Essential Oil)
Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Peppermint Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)