Headaches are an extremely common ailment that affect millions of people across the world and come in many different forms. The most severe form of a headache is known as a Migraine which can cause vision disturbance and vomiting.
Headaches can be triggered by: stress, fatigue, allergies, eyestrain, poor posture, alcohol or drugs, low blood sugar, hormones, constipation, and nutritional deficiencies.
The most common types of headaches include:
- Tension Headache
This is the most common type of headache. It feels like there is a vice squeezing your head. Caused by the contraction of muscles that cover your skull, this pain runs from one ear to the other, around the front of your head. It’s often caused by stress and lack of sleep.
- Cluster Headaches
The pain of a cluster headache is often described as an ice pick in the head because of its concentrated stabbing feeling. The name comes from the fact that the headache occurs in a cluster of days over several weeks. The pain is often followed by a runny nose or fever, so they are often known as “histamine headaches.” Cluster headaches are common in the winter due to temperature changes.
- Migraine Headaches
This one-sided throbbing pain causes sensitivity to light and sound and may cause nausea. Migraines run in families and women are three times more likely to have them than men. Experts believe that migraines may be caused by nerve signals that the brain misinterprets as pain.
- Sinus headaches
When the membranes of the sinus cavities become inflamed and swollen there can be pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead area where these cavities are located. This pressure then can result in a sinus headache. These headaches are also very common during allergy season.
Today, the most traditional form of headache treatment includes taking NSAID medications and pain killers. These drugs have been linked to kidney failure, liver damage and intestinal bleeding. For this reason using natural remedies for headache relief is a much safer and more effective option.
Diet and lifestyle play a huge role in causing and helping cure headaches. Let me show you the top headache remedies and headache cures for fast relief.
Top Foods For Headache Cure
Clean lean protein – Helps avoid fluctuations in blood sugar which can cause headaches. Also, pick protein sources that are organic.
High fiber foods – Aim for at least 30g per day from vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds to reduce constipation.
Water – Drink 8 ounces water or vegetable juice every 2 hours to prevent dehydration and flush out toxins.
Foods high in healthy fats – Can reduce inflammation. Some of the best food sources for healthy fats include wild caught fish, seeds, and coconut oil.
Foods rich in magnesium – Nuts, green leafy vegetables, and bananas are good sources of magnesium the “relaxation” mineral.
Foods that Cause Headaches
Any potential food allergen – Food allergies can trigger headaches. Eliminate common allergens such as gluten, cows dairy, peanuts, eggs, soy and shellfish. Using the Elimination Diet is a good way to find out which foods trigger headaches.
Foods that contain tyramine – Can trigger headaches. Foods such as cheese, chocolate, citrus, coffee, cold cuts, smoked fish, wine, pork, and vinegar should be avoided.
Alcohol – Can worsen headaches. Alcohol causes dehydration resulting in headaches the day after consumption.
Sugar – Can lead to spikes in blood sugar which can cause headaches.
Cold foods – Restricts blood vessels leading to headaches.
Top 5 Natural Headache Remedies
1. Magnesium (200 mg 2x daily)
Magnesium the “relaxation” mineral can help eliminate migraines and helps prevent tension headaches.
2. Feverfew (250-500 mcg daily)
Helps reduce the severity and duration of headaches.
3. Butterbur (75 mg 2x daily)
Can reduce inflammatory effect of chemicals that trigger headache (especially migraines) and also acts as a beta blocker resulting in normal blood flow to the brain.
4, B-Complex Vitamins
Many B vitamins are involved in the formation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which may be deficient in people who suffer from migraines.
5. Adaptogen herbs (rhodiola, ashwagandha, and holy basil 500mg)
These herbs can reduce stress, cortisol and tension headaches.
Natural Headache Treatment
Begin regular Chiropractic care treatments to eliminate the cause of regular headaches. Tension in the neck and shoulders can cause spinal misalignments that cause headaches. Chiropractors are able to remove this spinal pressure which can help eliminate headaches often in a very short period of time.
Essential Oils for Headache Relief
Mix peppermint and lavender essential oils with coconut oil and apply to upper neck and shoulders. Peppermint oil improves circulation and lavender reduces muscle tension which can quickly relieve headaches.
