Millions of Americans suffer from acute headaches or migraine every day, but it’s not a new condition. One image from the pyramids shows an Egyptian apparently treating his headache with a crocodile strapped to his head!!Those who suffer from headaches appreciate this image: having an acute headache or migraine feels very like having one’s head in the jaws of a razor-toothed vice. We hurt, and everything else in life retreats behind a shimmering barrier of pain that makes working at our best or even playing far more difficult. For hours – sometimes even days – we can’t escape, no matter what we do.There are differences between migraines and other headaches, but some relief techniques are common to both. Whatever the origin of the headache, or its type, acute relief is what’s needed as soon as an attack threatens. Once the headache has taken hold, it may be too late to think straight.Acute treatment choices are simple: 1) medicate, with drugs or natural remedies, 2) use tension-relieving techniques, or 3) use both.To Medicate or Not?Many of us are reluctant to take pain-reducing drugs. A 2010 survey by the US Department for Health and Human Services showed that many of those in acute pain don’t even try to get treatment – they just resign themselves to suffering.Nevertheless, depending on where in the world you live, there are prescription items, over-the-counter (OTC) preparations, and natural alternatives to both that can help when headache strikes.Natural RemediesInfusions of herbs such as feverfew, pennyroyal and willow bark have been used for centuries for headache relief. None of these is recommended if you are pregnant, however!Many headaches are simply due to dehydration. Drinking water throughout the day will reduce your vulnerability to headache, but may not be of immediate use if your headache brings nausea. If this is the case you must re-hydrate with small sips of water.Low or unstable blood sugar is a common trigger. Sips of sweet tea, or sorbet or fruit can help. If you’re diabetic or there’s diabetes in your family, you should discuss your headaches with your doctor and beware skipping meals.Tension-relieving TechniquesA great many headaches respond to rest and to simple tension-relieving techniques. These are especially important if you are pregnant and can’t take any medications.Amongst the simplest and most important of these is learning to relax. If you can get to a quiet place, try breathing deeply from your diaphragm for several minutes, then repeatedly tensing all your muscles for a minute, then relaxing them for a minute. Simple yoga postures that flex the spine will help relax the neck and shoulders. The cat pose and downward-facing dog may be used before the child pose. In all cases, breathing should be deepened.If you can find two water-proof basins, immersing one hand in hot water (as hot as possible without scalding) and the other in cold while breathing and mentally “sending” the headache into the water works surprisingly well. Acupressure or massage (head and shoulder or foot!) often help, too.OTC: Ask Your PharmacistAt the bottom end of the price scale, aspirin has a bad reputation these days – but for some it’s still the answer. Sold generically and under brand-names like Bayer, Bufferin and Ecotrin, aspirin is an anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant, both of which can relieve the physical progression of many headaches. It’s also very inexpensive, widely available, and well-proven – provided you don’t have the stomach liver, or intestinal problems that it could aggravate. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, or generic) has replaced aspirin for many, but once again you need to be careful about taking it on an empty stomach or if you have liver or other stomach trouble.Acetaminophen, the main brand of which is Tylenol, is a common drug in the USA and has a good reputation for few side-effects if taken according to instructions and not over-used. Again, liver problems are a red flag.Many of these lower-end drugs are marketed with “plus” ingredients, the most common of which is caffeine. A dose of caffeine can certainly make you feel more alert, but if what you need is rest, it may not be the best choice. Outside the USA, codeine phosphate can be a useful “plus” and is available in tablets combined with aspirin, paracetamol, or ibuprofen.There are many combinations of these drugs: ask you pharmacist for advice.On PrescriptionYour doctor needs to understand what kind of headaches you get before prescribing special medication. He must also consider what other drugs you take that may contribute to your headaches. Many common prescription drugs – from antibiotics to antidepressants and blood-pressure pills – can cause headaches as well as help other conditions. Don’t stop taking these if you’re on prescription but do discuss what’s happening with your doctor.Treating attacks when they happen with drugs called triptans that relieve pain and restore function is one of his choices if migraine is the problem. Some doctors suggest drugs containing barbiturates or opiates. These need to be used sparingly.Hormone therapy may help some women whose migraines seem to be linked to their menstrual cycle.Final WordsHeadaches have meaning in our lives. Relieving the pain is important, but to defeat it, we need to understand what it means in the context of our lives and choices. Better diet, more rest; looking at food intolerance, exercise, eye-strain, posture and alcohol consumption; considering stress from family, work or personal problems: all play their part in the wonderful puzzle that’s you.After this headache is over, do take some time out to think about these factors, and to create for yourself a picture of a life that would be headache-free. There are many good programmes to help you do this.If you take your headaches seriously, you can make that picture a reality.© 2011 Alexandra Brunel, all rights reserved.
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