Migraine headaches are discussed under Migraines, but now let us look at so-called normal headaches. These headaches can develop after a hard day’s work, or spending too much time in glaring conditions. These are a different type of headache but certainly painful and debilitating.
There are a number of causes of headaches that are not migraines, for instance, if you drink alcohol, this depletes the body of vitamin B1 and dehydrates the brain which can lead to headaches. Many people, if they are drinking alcohol to excess, do suffer these headaches. So, consider a vitamin B supplement and keep up the fluids (non-alcoholic), if this is the case However it would be better to lower or stop your consumption of
Food allergies can also cause headaches (see allergies). Removing the foods from the diet which are a problem may just solve all your headache problems.
Caffeine intake (found in coffee and tea) is related to headache. A study of 4558 Australians showed that caffeine intake significantly increased headaches. Even those ingesting 4 to 5 cups of coffee or tea daily (containing 250 mg caffeine) had a relatively higher risk of headaches. If coffee or tea is your problem, then consider reducing your daily intake but, remember, caffeine withdrawal has also been shown to cause headaches, leaving you with a ‘catch 22′ situation. The answer is slow reduction of caffeine intake. Reduce your coffee or tea consumption by one cup per day for the first week, then two cups for the second week and so on. This should then prevent caffeine-withdrawal headaches.
Headaches can also be caused by stress and strain. If a muscle is strained when lifting heavy objects then the neck muscles become knotted and painful. This pain travels up into other muscles in the head and becomes quite unbearable. You then have to resort to strong analgesics.
Consider relaxation, meditation, massage or using the herb valerian. This can help relax your tense muscles and prevent them from getting to the stage where you need to take strong analgesics to alleviate the pain.
If an analgesic is needed then don’t forget the natural analgesic white willow bark as well. It is very effective (see Analgesics).
Betony can also be used for specific forms of headaches and neurasthenia such as those associated with stress and tension.
white willow bark
(nature’s aspirin) 5400 mg 3 times daily
vitamin B complex and 1 tablet daily
valerian Can be obtained in combination
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scullcap
passiflora Follow directions
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