Almost everyone experiences headache pains at some point in their lives. About 50% to 75% of adults commonly experience headaches, while 30% experience migraines. Headaches are usually minor complications that can be relieved by simple remedies at home or by doctors' medical prescriptions. However, some headaches may become more intense and alarming. In these cases, more severe health issues might arise, so it is important to know when a headache is considered a serious threat to your health or not.
Causes of headaches
There are several causes of headaches, and some of these causes may be triggered by other parts of our body. Ultimately, headaches are triggered depending on the person as the triggers vary for everyone. The most prevalent causes that set off these complications are sinus infections or pressures, tightening of muscles located in the neck or head, pain from your brain's hypersensitive nerve endings. Moreover, these instances happen because it is triggered by fatigue, lack of sleep, stress, hunger, caffeine issues, and the like. Similarly, the triggers mentioned can turn into migraines as well. In some situations, these headaches and migraines can already be symptoms of more grave medical conditions.
Types of headaches
Headaches are known to be any pain experienced in parts of your head, either on both sides or one. Furthermore, what causes the headache, how long it lasts, and how intense the pain is will depend on what type of headache a person is experiencing. It is crucial to figure out what type of headache you may be going through to eliminate the complication and reduce the pain you feel effectively.
Tension headaches
The first and most common type of headache is tension headache. Instead of a throbbing sensation, most people will experience a dull ache and sensitivity in the scalp, forehead, neck, and shoulder muscles. These types of headaches are usually set off by stress. Most of the time, over-the-counter medication can be taken for immediate tension headache relief.
Cluster headaches
The next type of headache is called cluster headaches. A burning sensation may be experienced by the individual, usually located around one eye or side of the face. Along with this are a nuisance of side effects such as swelling, sweating, redness, nasal congestion, and tearing of the eyes. This type of headache is known to happen in a series and can last a few minutes to hours in a day.
Migraines
Migraines are far more intense than regular headaches. Most people experience an extreme pulsation felt deep in the head as well as nausea or vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound. Migraine pains usually last a couple of days. It takes a toll on performing and accomplishing your day to day activities. People usually experience migraines due to hereditary factors, post-traumatic stress disorder, and some environmental factors.
Implications of using over-the-counter medication for headache pain relief
OTC medicines can be bought at the store without the need for a prescription from a doctor. Over-the-counter medicines are used for more common and minor health complications such as allergies, colds and flues, nausea, and constipation. Almost every household has these medicines stocked up for emergencies as they are accessible and inexpensive. Despite its effectiveness, there are many troublesome effects and risks that come with using OTC medication.
Most of the side effects caused by over-the-counter medication are unpleasant. They can cause inconvenience in your day to day activities and errands. The most frequent side effects that can be found on OTC medicines are nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, and issues with your digestive tract. Additionally, some over-the-counter medications may trigger allergic reactions that can cause minor to major complications.
Although most over-the-counter medicines are safe if used properly, these medications can also be abused. They can lead to a potential addiction problem. Statistics show that about 3.1 million people aged 12 to 25 years old have been abusing OTC medications in order to experience a high. These medications are just as dangerous as illegal drugs if not used properly, and it is incredibly easy to misuse these drugs.
Natural pain relief for headaches you can try
Avoiding the potential risks and irritating side effects that come with OTC medicine can be done with the use of natural remedies. Here are some of the few solutions you can try.
Water, fruits, and vegetables
Drinking a lot of water can be a natural headache aid as it helps prevent and relieve headache within a few hours. It is actually proven that chronic dehydration can commonly cause migraines and tension headaches. That is why adequate hydration by drinking a sufficient amount of water and eating water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables is crucial for everyone who is prone to experiencing headaches and migraines.
Relief devices
Devices for headaches are also available on the market. Fortunately, our advancing technology can create natural remedies like tension headache relief devices, migraine relief devices, and ear pressure migraine devices to effectively provide relief for headaches. An example of these types of devices is Zōk, which is basically an ear pressure device for headaches. It can activate the tympanic membrane through inner ear pressure simulation to address the symptoms that come with headaches and migraines.
Yoga and acupuncture
Yoga exercises and acupuncture can also be easy and effective ways to relieve yourself of headaches naturally. Yoga can be a relaxing way to lessen the stress and pain that you are experiencing every day. Similarly, acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that stimulates points on your body through the insertion of thin needles. Moreover, It is proven to be as effective as the common medications for migraines.
Should you try these remedies?
To conclude, headaches and migraines are familiar complications that almost everyone experiences on a daily basis. Natural remedies for headaches might be safer to use instead of OTC medications that can bring side effects and risks that can cause you more trouble, but you can also use them together. What matters is what works best for you. Other than the few mentioned above, you can try many more natural remedies as an effective and safe way to relieve headaches.