Showing posts with label Headaches/Migraines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Headaches/Migraines. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Apply Acupressure Techniques To Reduce Tension Headaches

If you feel as if a vise is slowly squeezing your temples; if the muscles around your head, face, and neck are tense; if your whole head feels sore and pressurized, you’ve got a tension headache.

The ancient Chinese art of acupressure treats many complaints caused by tension. The theory is you can press on specific points of your body to release energy blocks and relieve pain.

The following acupressure points are especially helpful at soothing tension headaches.

1. Find the two small hollows on wither side of your neck, just below the base of your skull. Firmly press your thumbs here- up toward your skull. Close your eyes, tilt your head back, and breathe slowly and deeply. Hold this for one to two minutes.

2. With your right thumb, press into the center hollow in the back of your neck, just below the base of your skull. With your left thumb and index finger, press on wither side of the bridge of your nose. For about two minutes, close your eyes, tilt your head back, and breathe deeply.

3. Use the thumb of one hand to press the area between the thumb and index finger of of your other hand. Make sure you apply pressure toward the base of your index finger. Hold this for about a minute, then switch hands.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Fast Fixes For Sinus Headaches

Sinus headache can affect your health as it causes unbearable pain and pressure around your eyes and in your cheeks. If you need relief, try the following health tips.

Use a vaporizer.
The warm, moist air will help your sinuses drain.

Water
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to thin the mucus and clear your nasal passages.

Use Pillow
Put extra pillows under your head when you sleep so mucus won’t drain back into your sinuses. If sinus pressure is worse on one side, sleep on the other side.

Take a hot shower
The steam will help clear your nasal passages and relieve the pain and pressure.

Eat spicy food
Eating hot, spicy foods or herbs, such as hot chilies, horseradish or garlic will help open your nasal passages.

Nasal wash
A nasal wash using warm salt water and a rubber syringe can be a huge help in treating and preventing sinusitis.

Nasal Spray
Nasal spray can give you relief, but don’t use it longer than three days. Instead ask your doctor to prescribe a corticosteroid spray to reduce inflammation in your nose.

Pinpoint and eliminate the root cause
Your sinus headache could be caused by hay fever or some other allergen in your environment. Keep track of when and where your headaches strike.

Lastly, if the discharge from your stuffy nose turns greenish-yellow, it’s time to see your doctor. You could have a sinus infection.

Monday, February 25, 2008

7 Ways To Manage Migraines Naturally

Migraines can be so painful that your only option is to close the curtains and stay in bed.
Here are some things you can try to head off a migraine disaster naturally. Get rid of migraines today and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Ginger
This fragrant herb may be the root of relief for some migraine suffers. Herbalists generally recommend 2 to 4 grams of ginger a day, but for migraines, you might need more. You can buy ginger roots from supermarket or buy supplement s as gelatin capsules. You can also make ginger tea by simmering several slices of fresh ginger root in a cup of water for about 15 minutes.

Caffeine
A combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine has proven helpful for people suffering severe migraines pain. The benefits of this type of medication can last up to six hours.

Magnesium
About half of the people suffering from migraines don’t have enough magnesium in their bodies. It’s been proven that supplementing with magnesium can help reduce the number and intensity of headaches. However, note that too much magnesium can interfere with your calcium absorption. Experts recommend no more than 500mg per day from supplements. It is a natural, inexpensive treatment without serious side effects. Good food source include brown rice, popcorn, oatmeal, cornmeal, potatoes, shrimp, clams, broccoli, skim milk and green peas.

Riboflavin
One study showed daily doses of 400mg of riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, eases migraine pain as effectively as vitamin B2, eases migraine pain as effectively as aspirin. Some food that contains natural riboflavin are milk, eggs, meat, fish and green vegetables,

Fish oil
Omega3 fish oil can reduce the number and intensity of migraines. Please note that the oil in supplements is more concentrated than in natural sources. You don’t want to get too much omega3. Some food that contains natural omega3 are tuna, cod, salmon, oat germ, soy bean products and walnuts.

Heat or ice
Just like any other kind of pain, you can treat migraine pain with either heat or ice. Specially shaped gel packs and pads allow you to get relief just where you need it. These products are readily available and inexpensive.

Masssage
Massage is another method that help you to relax and improve blood circulation. Lab tests also showed much higher levels of serotonin after massages. This hormone constricts blood vessels and regulates mood and sleep.