Headaches: How can something be so minuscule but debilitating at the same time? A headache can have many different causes and range from mild to severe. No matter the severity, headaches can put a damper on your day and quality of life. This blog will provide you with ways that headaches can be prevented and if they still happen to occur, solutions for getting rid of them.
Preventative Measures
Limit Screen Time
With the rise of phones and technology, this generation is constantly looking at a screen. This heavily results in eye strain and ultimately causes headaches. Make sure to take breaks from the screen to give your eyes a rest. If you have to work remotely on your computer for long periods of time, use blue light glasses to block out the blue light that can cause strain and damage on your eyes.
Drink Plenty of Water
Our bodies are made up of 50-70% water and need it to have a healthy functioning body. Water is responsible for carrying nutrients, lubricating bones and joints, and protecting our vital organs. When you do not drink enough water or are dehydrated, your brain shrinks, causing it to pull away from the skull and cause pressure. To prevent this as much as possible, try to drink at least your body weight in ounces.
Find Ways to Destress
A lot of headaches are caused by things that are not even physical. Stress can cause tension headaches, which cause your head to feel like there is a tight band around it. If you know you get headaches when you are stressed, take measures to prevent this, especially when you know you are entering a stressful time. This can be found through yoga, sleep, meditation, etc.
Solutions
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can get a deeper look into the musculoskeletal issues that could be the root of the headache. These physical therapists, which can be found through physical therapy Idaho Falls, can provide you with stretching exercises that can relieve muscle tension and strengthening exercises to improve posture and build muscles up in a way that won’t cause headaches.
Pain Medication
If you are dealing with a mild headache and need something quick to reduce the pain, over the counter medication is your best option. You can take medication such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Advil. This will reduce the pain for the duration that you take it until symptoms subside.
Hot/Cold Compress
Depending on the type of headache you have, using a hot or cold compress can relieve headache symptoms. A cold compress restricts the blood going to your brain, which can dull the arising pain. A hot compress works better if you have a tension headache, by relaxing the tense muscles and increasing blood flow to the head.
Rest
Whether you are suffering from a migraine or a mild headache, resting can relieve the stress and tension on your eyes and neck, which are areas that cause these headaches the most. Lay down in a dark space, a comfortable position, and quiet surroundings.
