Headaches: causes, remedies, and prevention

Il headache, also known as migraine and headache, is often a symptom of other diseases and disorders: fever, cold, colitis, intestinal problems. Then there are transient headaches, linked to stress and the use of certain medications. And again: chronic headache, whichever comes sooner or later. Overall, In Italy there are 26 million people who have to deal with headachesThere is a long list of medications available for them, but before wasting money and your health (headache medications usually have several side effects), you can try tackling the problem with some effective natural remedies.

Types of headaches

In particular, three types of primary headaches can be distinguished: migraine, tension headache and cluster headache.

• The migraine It is characterized by attacks that can last a few hours or a few days. It consists of acute attacks affecting one side of the skull and is typically accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and excessive sensitivity to light and noise. It is a disorder that often appears in young adults and adolescents and may have a hereditary component.
• La tension headache It generally strikes during adulthood, is not hereditary, and can last for weeks, months, or even years. Compared to migraine, the pain is more widespread, affecting the entire head, yet it doesn't interfere with daily activities. It can be caused by strong tension, stress and nervousness and most of the time it is accompanied by states ofanxiety and depression.
• Then there is the cluster headache It manifests itself through attacks of very intense pain localized to the orbit and temple. It may be accompanied by tearing, redness, and swelling of the eyelid on the side of the pain. The attacks are brief, but their intensity is so severe that they can even cause sufferers to perform extreme actions, such as fracturing a hand or breaking objects.
• Another variant is then the chronic headache where symptoms and intensity of pain vary from patient to patient.
• The migraine with aura This is the form that includes multiple visual symptoms, such as flashes, flashes of light, bright spots and spots, or otherwise decreased vision. It can be truly frightening for those who have never suffered from it before, as it often also brings numbness, tingling, and difficulty speaking. Headaches appear shortly after the aura.
• Finally, themenstrual cycle migraine It's a discomfort that accompanies them once a month for many years of their lives, although living with it can still be difficult. It reaches extremely annoying, sometimes disabling, levels of intensity and is accompanied by other painful conditions such as back pain or muscle aches.

One last interesting fact: migraines can become chronic, going from an episodic occurrence to an unpleasant companion for more than fifteen consecutive days within a month. In this case, it's best to consult a qualified doctor or your local headache center to live a life free from pain. To understand what happens in the brain when an aura occurs, think of a stone thrown into a pond and the concentric wave gradually expanding. Similarly, a wave emanates from the occipital lobe of the brain and expands at a speed of 2-3 millimeters per minute. The wave's first effect is the formation of spots in the visual field. Migraine with aura affects a quarter of people with headaches, which in Italy amounts to 12 percent of the population.

Differences between migraine and headache

Migraine and headache are not the same thing. To properly distinguish them, we must start with cephalea, a generic term that refers to any type of headache. In turn, cephalea headache, Of which there are several types, headaches are divided into two large groups. Primary headaches, in which the headache is not caused by other organic problems, include migraines. Secondary headaches, which are caused by organic problems that may vary in nature.

The causes of headaches

In most cases The attacks are caused by emotional factors, stress, fasting, drugsEven relaxing on holidays after a week of intense work can cause headaches: the so-called weekend migraineBut some foods or some substances contained in them can also play their part. Among those that can most induce headaches in some people, there is monosodium glutamate contained in kitchen cubes, nitrites present in cured meats, alcohol, chocolate, soy and fermented and aged cheeses. But they also affect headaches climate change, excess caffeine and some essences used in the preparation of perfumesIf your headache is caused by a stressful lifestyle, try taking a few extra moments to relax. Recent studies on tension headaches have highlighted the hypothesis that this problem may be caused by a genetic predisposition to hypersensitivity to pain. This causes simple stimuli to be perceived as painful: some people even say they feel pain when they touch them. combing his hair.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the most common headache, tension headache, with its persistent pain, is always made by a doctor based on the patient's symptoms. Only in extreme cases, and when there is a suspicion that the headache may be due to other, far more serious conditions, does the doctor request a diagnosis through a CT scan or MRI. Finally, regarding diagnosis, it may be helpful for the doctor to have the patient keep a diary of their headaches and their progression.

Why it affects women more

Headaches affect women almost three times more than men. The causes of this marked difference are unclear, but we know that the gap begins after puberty. Several studies have shown that estrogen plays a significant role. Women suffer more from migraines during the Menses, when estrogen levels have dropped, or during perimenopause, due to hormonal changes. Other studies link the difference to the disadvantage of women due to the higher level of stress they accumulate over the course of their lives and the lower quality of their sleep.

Natural remedies

Among the best natural remedies to consider for headaches is physical activity. According to the Neurological Association for Headache Research, it is an excellent form of prevention for headaches, the most common type of headache, caused by stress. or just bad habits. Sports such as cycling, swimming, or Pilates are particularly suitable. But they are also considered useful yoga and a simple brisk walk. The reason for this good anti-headache result is quite simple from a scientific point of view: physical activity improves breathing, the blood and oxygen circulation e reduces cerebral vasodilation. All common causes of migrainesHeadaches are sometimes unforgiving. They strike continuously, at regular intervals, and become truly difficult to bear. In particular, Almost nine out of ten people suffer from it at least once in their lives and in most cases it is a benign symptom.

• Try to regulate your sleep: sleeping too little or too much can lead to frequent headaches.
• Women are more susceptible to migraines, especially if they use birth control pills or, due to a hormonal disorder, during their menstrual cycle.
• Don't overuse painkillers. Compulsive use is not only useless and ineffective, but it actually contributes to migraine becoming chronic.
• Try to have a healthy, balanced diet made up of proteins, carbohydrates, fruit, cereals and, above all, low fat.
• We have already told you about the many beneficial and healing properties of mint Its extract is also an effective remedy for migraines and tension headaches. According to a German study, peppermint essential oil can significantly reduce pain. Simply apply a few drops to your forehead and temples. Also a 10 percent menthol solution, if rubbed on the forehead and temples can relieve pain within a few hours.
• Cut a potato into several slices and apply them to your temples, forehead, or eyes. To keep them in place and adhere well to your head, try securing them with a headband, shower cap, or scarf. It only takes half an hour to make the pain disappear.
• Finally, also a tisane A soothing chamomile or valerian tea can help you relax and feel better.

How to get rid of a headache without medicine?

To relieve a headache, or at least try to, without using medications, which often have significant side effects, there are some natural options.

• Salt or vinegar compresses applied to the forehead relieve pain in the temples.
• Lemon juice poured into a cup of coffee (although the flavor is not preferable, the result is often guaranteed!).
• The infusion of rhubarbMix 20 grams of rhubarb, garlic, peppermint, and 5 grams of bitter orange peel. Steep a teaspoon of this mixture in 2,5 deciliters of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Strain carefully. Drink up to two cups a day.
• Cabbage and onion leaf compresses to be applied to the nape of the neck.
• Apply potato slices, wrapped in cotton gauze, to your forehead.
• Primrose infusion: steep 5 grams of primrose leaves and flowers in 2.5 deciliters of boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture. Drink a cup before bed.
• The infusion of marjoram Mix 4 tablespoons each of linden, sage, marjoram, and verbena. Pour a cup of boiling water over one tablespoon of the mixture. Let steep for 10 minutes before straining. Take 3 cups a day.

Why does coffee relieve headaches?

There are no miracles when it comes to health, but coffee certainly helps, at least potentially, to relieve headaches. Why? Everything. it depends on the caffeine which in addition to stimulating wakefulness, increasing concentration and reducing tiredness, is also capable of relieve headachesIt has an exciting effect on the central and peripheral nervous system. This is why caffeine is used as a analgesic adjuvant to treat migraine or tension-type headache.

Prevention

Headaches can also be avoided, or at least contained, with a little prevention. Do so, especially if you suffer from this condition frequently.

• Correct posture It's important whether you're at work, in the car, or even just sitting on the couch at home. If you sit well, without unnecessarily straining your spine, the risk of headaches decreases.
• Sleep regularly, and take a break for a few minutes every hour when you spend a lot of time in front of the computer.
• Drink a lot, eat regularly and try not to skip meals.
• Relax your body, with a suitable sport, such as ARTISTIC, or with specific activities, such as yoga.
• Avoid excessive temperature changes.
• Don't stay exposed for too long to natural or artificial lights, or even to smells that are too intense.
• Do a frequent self-massage of the head.

Foods to avoid

There are foods that aren't ideal for those prone to headaches: fried foods, sweeteners, and aged cheeses. And there are foods that can be helpful preventatively: as always, fruits, vegetables, and ginger. Here you can find the list of foods to avoid and those to be taken by those who frequently suffer from headaches.

Extracts against headaches

There are extracts that can help provide relief when a headache strikes and even prevent it.

• Il feverfew It is a herbaceous plant whose aerial parts are rich in substances that act as natural anti-inflammatories, and can have a relaxing effect on smooth muscles.
• Valerian, lemon balm, passionflower, California poppy: they are also suitable for improving sleep.
• Devil's claw: a plant native to South Africa that contains substances effective for their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory action. Not recommended for those suffering from gastritis.

Headache medications and the risk of addiction

When should you worry about a headache?

Headaches, in general, are a temporary condition that should not cause alarm. Headaches should be concerned when: pain occurs in an intense way, regular and continuous, preventing us from enjoying a normal quality of life. Another, more specific situation to worry about is when the headache is associated with a head trauma, a severe blow, or a fall. In all these cases, it's pointless to take medication without first consulting a specialist, in this case a neurologist.

When to see a doctor

• The pain does not go away over time and actually gets worse, despite the use of painkillers
• The headache is associated with fever, rash, stiff neck, vision problems, redness and pain in one eye, difficulty in chewing
• The headache appears with a very strong and very sudden pain
• Severe pain is the consequence of a head trauma
• There are difficulties in articulating words, memory loss, unexplained drowsiness, mental confusion.

What is the best headache center in Italy?

In Italy, there are several accredited and specialized headache centers in Milan, Turin, Pavia, Padua, Rome, and Palermo. For a complete list and useful information, please visit the website. Italian Society for the Study of Headaches or contact theHeadache AllianceConsidering that 6 million people in Italy suffer from migraines (4 million of whom are women), the Veneto region has allocated 50 euros to train doctors and pharmacists to treat headaches. The goal is to prevent the condition from becoming chronic, with the associated damage to the patient's health and costs to the National Health Service.

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