Most people suffer from headaches relatively often. The complaints present in very different forms. More than 200 different types of headaches are known. Tension-type headaches occur most frequently. They can strike you at any time of the day. In the following you will learn which causes your headaches may have and how you can make the headache more tolerable.
What you should know about headaches
Medically, headaches are not considered an independent disease. Rather, the unpleasant head pressure is understood as a symptom for which the underlying cause must first be sought.
Five percent of all Germans are plagued by headaches daily. About 70 percent of those affected suffer from chronic headaches. Thus this pain symptom is surpassed only by back pain. Those particularly frequently affected by headaches include: children and adolescents, smokers, alcoholics, pregnant women, women in menopause, and also those sensitive to changes in the weather.
Causes and diagnosis of headaches
Headaches occur when blood vessels, meninges, or the skull are irritated. Our brain itself cannot perceive pain. Headaches can also occur if circulation is impaired or if there is an inflammation. Headaches can often be traced back to psychological causes. If you are nervous and tense, the muscles of the neck and shoulders tighten. One consequence of this is tension-type headaches.
Other causes of headaches can be: dehydration, excessive alcohol, heavy smoking, noise pollution, environmental toxins. In about ten percent of those affected by headaches, the complaints have physical causes. Serious symptoms can occur after accidents or falls. But dental problems or middle ear infections can also lead to headaches.
Diagnostics
The following procedures can be used to diagnose headaches: X-ray of the cervical spine, subtraction angiography (detection of aneurysms), CT (detection of bleeding in the brain) or MRI (detection of anatomical abnormalities).
Treatment of headaches
Almost everyone among us gets headaches now and then. Reaching for a painkiller has unfortunately often become taken for granted. Since most preparations are available over the counter in pharmacies, a visit to the doctor is not necessarily required. Try to determine the causes of your headaches. Pills are not always the best solution. For mild complaints, tried-and-tested home remedies and gentle methods of alternative medicine can also be appropriate.
Treating headaches with medication
Ibuprofen is considered the Germans‘ most popular painkiller. Experts from the German Migraine and Headache Society recommend the active ingredient as the first choice for migraine and tension-type headaches. Ibuprofen is well tolerated and can also be administered in suppository form.
In addition to ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) are used for headaches. For the widespread tension-type headaches, combination preparations of aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine often provide good relief.
For migraine, physicians rely on triptans. These active substances constrict blood vessels and have anti-inflammatory effects.
Treat headaches without medication where possible
Ensure adequate sleep and plenty of exercise if you suffer from tension-type headaches caused by stress. Use various relaxation techniques. For migraine, seek a quiet, darkened room and avoid physical activity.
The best tips against headaches
If necessary, relieve acute headaches with the following tips. However, if you suffer from severe and recurring headaches, you should consult a physician.
Tip 1: Facial exercises
Do you often get headaches at your desk? Your eyes are likely complaining about the prolonged direct exposure to the computer screen. Take time for a few simple exercises. Within a few minutes you will probably feel better and can continue working with improved concentration and less tension.
Exercise 1: Frowning
Intentionally crease your forehead. Hold the movement for a few seconds, then relax the muscles again. Draw your eyebrows firmly toward the bridge of your nose while frowning.
Exercise 2: Jaw movements
Open your mouth slightly. Then perform gentle jaw movements, moving the jaw alternately from left to right.
Exercise 3: Mobile eyebrows
Actively move your eyebrows. Quickly raise them and let them sink back down more slowly.
Exercise 4: Squinting
Close your eyes and then try to squint. Hold the tension for a few seconds and then relax.
Repeat these exercises several times. Find out which exercise works best. Due to the complexity of headache causes, this is not always immediately clear. Once you have found your individual exercise routine, you can integrate it into your daily office routine.
The best tips for acute tension-type headache
Tension headaches are bothersome. However, you do not need to reach for a tablet immediately. The following tips provide gentle relief.
Tip 1: Peppermint – refreshing and calming
Obtain essential peppermint oil. You can conveniently keep this in your bag, so you are prepared for headache episodes when you are out and about. Apply a few drops to the neck, forehead or temples. This invigorates and refreshes.
Tip 2: Improve the indoor climate
Ventilate the rooms you occupy regularly. If there is too little oxygen in the room, this can quickly become uncomfortable. Open the windows several times a day for five to ten minutes. Create a draft so the air can circulate optimally and be enriched with sufficient oxygen.
Tip 3: Drink, drink, drink
Make sure you consume enough fluids throughout the day. Aim for about two liters daily. We do not mean only coffee, although caffeine intake can indeed help with mild headaches. If water bores you, try different teas such as chamomile, ginger, hibiscus, willow bark or rose petals. These herbs may help relieve headache symptoms. Many painkillers include caffeine as an active ingredient. For acute tension headaches, have an espresso or a cup of coffee. Keep in mind, however, that too much caffeine can impair nighttime sleep. Sleep deprivation, in turn, often leads to headaches.
Tip 4: Essential oils
Peppermint oil or lavender oil may help you relax. Put a few drops on a cloth and place it on your forehead.
Tip 5: Ginger paste
You can take ginger not only as tea. Prepare a paste from ginger and ground cloves. Rub the paste onto your forehead. This mixture can be effective for headaches and for a cold.
Tip 6: Cinnamon paste
Cinnamon is not only useful for holiday baking. Mix a teaspoon of the spice with a little water. Spread this paste on your forehead and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
See a doctor for headaches
If the tips above do not help and the headaches persist for weeks, be sure to consult a doctor. Warning signs include, for example: you have very severe headaches that persist for weeks; you are vomiting; do they occur when coughing or during movement? Do you also have headaches at night? Persistent and severe symptoms should always be medically evaluated.