Headaches are a very common health issue that can stem from various health conditions. Therefore, it is very important to find out the real cause of your headache so that you can treat the underlying medical issue on time.

Headaches usually appear due to fatigue or dehydration, but they may also imply the presence of a serious disease.

According to Dr. Sakib Qureshi MD (a famous neurologist), headaches are usually manifested by ″red light warning signals″. We need to learn to distinguish between the symptoms of a common headache and the ones signifying the presence of a more serious health problem.

The pain felt during a headache comes from a mix of signals between the blood vessels, the brain, and the nearby nerves. Certain nerves of the head muscles and the blood vessels switch on and send “pain signals” to the brain.

Headaches may appear due to numerous reasons, including:

  • Stress (emotional stress, sleep disorders, depression, alcohol abuse)
  • Illnesses (sinusitis, ear or throat infection)
  • Environmental factors (secondhand tobacco smoke, certain foods, chemicals, allergens, pollution, lighting, noise, and weather changes)
  • Family history
  • Genetic issues in some parts of the brain
  • Excessive physical activity
  • Insufficient water intake

People usually use painkillers to alleviate the headache, but their effects are not permanent and may bring numerous side effects.

Therefore, we are going to present to you the most common types of headaches and how to relieve them naturally.

8 Types Of Headaches And How To Relieve Them Naturally

Tension Headache

This is the most common type of headache. It is triggered by stress and causes muscle contractions on the neck and the scalp.

People usually describe this headache as a constant pressure on their neck, temples, and the back part of the head. Sometimes it may lead to radiating pain that affects the area below or above the eyes, which can lead to nausea and vomiting.

To relieve this headache, prepare ginger tea and add some peppermint oil. It will relieve the inflammation. You can also apply some peppermint oil to the hairline to soothe the neck and head muscles.

Cluster Headache

Women are more susceptible to this type of headache, and the pain is usually felt over one eye. The pain is sudden and intense, and it is usually accompanied by a runny nose, nasal congestion, and watery eyes.

The real cause of the cluster headache is still unknown, but it appears due to an activated nerve pathway located at the base of the brain.
Apply capsaicin cream to your nostrils to alleviate this headache. It will create a barrier to the nerve pain signals.

Hormone headache

Hormone headache is pretty common among women since it appears due to the changing levels of hormones during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Women who take birth control pills may also experience this type of headache.

Sinus headache

This type of headache is caused by an infection, and it is manifested by intense pain and pressure on the forehead, eyes, and cheeks. Sometimes it may cause fever.

To alleviate the pain and open the sinuses, drink lots of liquids. You should also consume foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, such as oranges, soup, and fresh ginger, since they fight infections due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Hot and cold compresses may also help.

Caffeine headache

Caffeine may affect the blood flow in the brain, which in turn triggers a headache. If you expose your brain to a certain amount of caffeine each day, then you may get headaches every time you don’t get the necessary amount of caffeine. This is because this substance changes the brain chemistry, and withdrawal from it may result in a headache.

To prevent it, keep your caffeine intake at a reasonable level.

Hypertension headache

High blood pressure often causes headaches that usually occur on both sides of the head and worsen with any activity. It is also accompanied by pulsation, visual disturbances, nosebleeds, tingling or numbness, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

This is a life-threatening condition, and it requires urgent medical help.

Migraine

Migraine usually affects people between the ages of 25 and 55. It is a complicated type of headache that is characterized by severe, intense, throbbing pain that affects only one side of the head. It may also cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tingling or numbness, visual disturbances, and extreme sensitivity to smell, light, sound, and touch.

To alleviate the pain, make sure you optimize your levels of magnesium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, scientists have found out that aerobic exercises are more helpful than the migraine medication topiramate.

Exertion headache

This type of headache appears after intense physical activity such as running, weight lifting, or sexual intercourse. These activities increase the blood flow to the skull, which in turn triggers throbbing headache that affects both sides of the head. This type of headache is temporary, and it resolves within several hours. However, in some cases, an exertion headache may imply the presence of an underlying medical condition. Therefore, make sure you consult your healthcare provider if you experience frequent exertion headaches.

Source:

  1. www.webmd.com