The phrase ‘quite a headache to be with’ did not come about without any apparent reason. For, headaches have been around ever since heads have; and several myths, cures and superstitions have taken birth and rebirth inside our heads. The interesting fact which you may know is that headaches can happen to anyone at anytime, and you need not think that you aren't a potential victim if you keep healthy otherwise. That is why we thought of presenting almost a dummy's guide to headaches – because when it comes to managing infrequent headaches, we often behave like dummies! Mind you, most of our information and advice below may not work if you are a victim of chronic headaches or severe migraines.
WHAT AND WHY
Not to sound too academic, but headaches are really of three main types - tension headaches, cluster headaches and migraines. Perhaps the most common one with us Mumbaikars is the tension type. (No wonder how the slang Tension nahi leneka came
about!) Its typical experience is a dull, non-throbbing pain in the back of the neck or as a tight headband pain. Tension headaches are often associated with tender nodules in the neck, or with tenderness in the muscles around the head. A lot of victims commit the folly of making excessive movements and applying pressure – which can worsen the situation.
Cluster headaches are the more difficult ones to deal with. Lopsided and painful, they occur in a flock for a short period of time, after which you may not experience them for weeks or months. The pain also extends to the eyes and the upper face, and tearing and nasal congestion may also occur.
Migraines – on which many a health studies have been done after a fair bit of research, prove to be the most confounding type of headaches for the modern-day urban citizen. Starting off with symptoms like loss of appetite and depression, migraines are potent to give their victims quite a harrowing time with nausea, visual shimmering and irritability. Can it get worse, you thought? Well, yes! If you go out and expose yourself to bright light, things might just go awry.
Though it is possible to exhaustively list out all scientific reasons which cause headaches, there are only a few which prove to be common for most of the headache victims in today's mega cities. If your house faces a flyover and the noises of a million vehicles enter your head through the day; if your colleagues shirk work and you end up doing twice the work in the day than you are supposed to; if you can't sleep on time because of Ganpati celebrations downstairs - you are the perfect victim of headaches. Apart from these, environmental allergies and offensiveness to chemicals and fumes prove to be more reasons why many Mumbaikars are left holding their heads in anguish regularly.
SELF-CARE IS BEST CARE
Most headaches occurring to us common Mumbaikars can be called mild to moderate. These can be cured and prevented through these simple steps of general self-care.
If you're suffering from headaches regularly, pay attention to how and at what times they occur. This may help you
figure out whether they are linked to factors in your environment such as noise or pollution or internal factors like having the wrong combinations of food at wrong times.
Avoiding the responsible triggers may just prove to be the most effective method. Minimise stress and get enough sleep before you complain of recurring tension-type headaches.
Alternative therapy isn't a word to be frightened of. These just include complementary measures that you can approach your headaches with. Acupuncture, practiced worldwide for several other reasons too, is known to help.
Not many people are aware of chiropractic though - it is a method of treatment that manipulates body structures (especially the spine) to relieve headaches among other ailments.
Perhaps the most important point is never underestimating your headache! Headaches are often symptoms of worse things to come. If your headache is getting chronic and extremely painful, do not think twice before consulting a health professional who specialises in neurological disorders.
HEADY NUTIRITION
Avoid foods that you find are triggers for your headaches:
• Refined and processed foods contain sweeteners that your body develops sensitivity towards. This increases the histamine levels, triggering a headache attack.
• High-fat and fried foods, hydrogenated, oxidised and processed oils are known to cause headache symptoms in some people.
• It is not an unknown fact that high alcohol consumption has been a major reason of bringing on cluster headache attacks.
• If you're a victim of regular headaches, you can conveniently label some foods as 'triggers'. Avoid red wine, cheese, coffee, caffeine, soda drinks and chocolate.
ENVIRON'MENTAL' SCIENCE
Creating a relaxing environment does not cure headaches completely, but can help:
• Relax in a room away from all noise. Dim the lights and soak in the darkness.
• Breathe deeply to stay calm.
• Drinking as much water as you can, will not harm. It rehydrates your body and brain.
• Listen to gentle classical or instrumental music at a very low volume.
• Place your feet in cool water to encourage circulation to the legs and feet - this often relieves congestion headaches.
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmp...9&contentid=2007083120070831044256656889470d4
WHAT AND WHY
Not to sound too academic, but headaches are really of three main types - tension headaches, cluster headaches and migraines. Perhaps the most common one with us Mumbaikars is the tension type. (No wonder how the slang Tension nahi leneka came
Cluster headaches are the more difficult ones to deal with. Lopsided and painful, they occur in a flock for a short period of time, after which you may not experience them for weeks or months. The pain also extends to the eyes and the upper face, and tearing and nasal congestion may also occur.
Migraines – on which many a health studies have been done after a fair bit of research, prove to be the most confounding type of headaches for the modern-day urban citizen. Starting off with symptoms like loss of appetite and depression, migraines are potent to give their victims quite a harrowing time with nausea, visual shimmering and irritability. Can it get worse, you thought? Well, yes! If you go out and expose yourself to bright light, things might just go awry.
SELF-CARE IS BEST CARE
Most headaches occurring to us common Mumbaikars can be called mild to moderate. These can be cured and prevented through these simple steps of general self-care.
If you're suffering from headaches regularly, pay attention to how and at what times they occur. This may help you
Avoiding the responsible triggers may just prove to be the most effective method. Minimise stress and get enough sleep before you complain of recurring tension-type headaches.
Alternative therapy isn't a word to be frightened of. These just include complementary measures that you can approach your headaches with. Acupuncture, practiced worldwide for several other reasons too, is known to help.
Not many people are aware of chiropractic though - it is a method of treatment that manipulates body structures (especially the spine) to relieve headaches among other ailments.
Perhaps the most important point is never underestimating your headache! Headaches are often symptoms of worse things to come. If your headache is getting chronic and extremely painful, do not think twice before consulting a health professional who specialises in neurological disorders.
Avoid foods that you find are triggers for your headaches:
• Refined and processed foods contain sweeteners that your body develops sensitivity towards. This increases the histamine levels, triggering a headache attack.
• High-fat and fried foods, hydrogenated, oxidised and processed oils are known to cause headache symptoms in some people.
• It is not an unknown fact that high alcohol consumption has been a major reason of bringing on cluster headache attacks.
• If you're a victim of regular headaches, you can conveniently label some foods as 'triggers'. Avoid red wine, cheese, coffee, caffeine, soda drinks and chocolate.
Creating a relaxing environment does not cure headaches completely, but can help:
• Relax in a room away from all noise. Dim the lights and soak in the darkness.
• Breathe deeply to stay calm.
• Drinking as much water as you can, will not harm. It rehydrates your body and brain.
• Listen to gentle classical or instrumental music at a very low volume.
• Place your feet in cool water to encourage circulation to the legs and feet - this often relieves congestion headaches.
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmp...9&contentid=2007083120070831044256656889470d4