A headache is a pain in the head. It may involve a sensation of pressure or tightness around the entire head, or it could be felt mainly in one spot, such as the back of your eyes, face, and skull. Headaches can also cause pulsating pain in your veins when you move your neck or if you lie down too quickly. Headache pain may be mild and last only a short time; however, it can also be severe and debilitating.
Headache symptoms include pain on one side of the head or both sides of the head, a dull ache in your upper neck and shoulders, nausea and vomiting (feeling like throwing up ), sensitivity to light and sound, a blocked nose, frequent sneezing, fever, chills, and severe fatigue. This article looks at some of the best ways to treat headaches at home. If you have headaches more frequently than usual, you may need to see a pain doctor specializing in treating a headache in Dundalk.
1. Use Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is extracted from the dried or fresh leaves of the peppermint plant. Peppermint is one of the most common herbs used to make headache remedies. It can be ingested in certain foods and drinks, applied topically to the skin on your forehead, temples, neck, and shoulders, inhaled as a vapor, or even taken by mouth in small doses.
Peppermint oil contains menthol, a substance that has been used for centuries medicinally. It is also one of the primary ingredients in many headache remedies, including some OTC painkillers. Peppermint essential oil is often added to these medications to make them more effective and pleasant-smelling or tasting.
2. A Cold Compress Will Help
A cold compress is simply a cloth that has been soaked in ice water. The fabric is then applied to your forehead, back of the neck, or other areas where you feel pain. There is a reason why cold compresses work so well, as they can reduce inflammation. When your head hurts, blood vessels in your skin dilate. This enlarges these narrow tubes and allows more blood to flow through them. Cold reduces this inflammation, which means that you feel less pain.
3. OTC Pain Medication
An assortment of headache medications are available without a prescription. As with most over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, these come in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms for you to choose from. In general, painkillers work by either stimulating the production, or blockading the reabsorption of certain chemicals that cause inflammation in your body. They can even help to relax the muscles that contract and cause head pain, such as a craniosacral spasm.
However, many people with chronic headaches should avoid taking OTC medications for this condition because they may mask any underlying causes. Furthermore, overuse of headache medications can lead to rebound headaches, which is when your body builds up a resistance to certain drugs, and you can feel even more pain than before.
In summary, a headache may involve a sensation of pressure or tightness around the entire head, or it could be felt mainly in one spot, such as the back of your eyes, face, and skull. If you have a mild headache, you can treat it using peppermint oil, a cold compress, or pain medication. For chronic headaches, you may need to see a specialist.
