Natural headache remedies

Life can get pretty busy and stressful, and the “common” headache is sometimes overlooked or masked with a painkiller (which, especially when overused, can sometimes cause more serious health issues.

A headache is a good indicator that your body is missing something – maybe you need to take a breather, drink some water or change the way you eat. You may have a vitamin or nutrient deficiency or a food sensitivity that is causing this built-up tension.

Headaches can be triggered by stress, fatigue, allergies, eyestrain, poor posture, alcohol or drugs, low blood sugar, hormones, constipation, and nutritional deficiencies. Your body is telling you that something needs to change, so begin to heed those signals and use these headache remedies to overcome headaches in a natural and healthy way.

Stay hydrated

The dehydrating effects of coffee, sugary drinks and alcohol can certainly leave us with a killer headache. Most people aren’t getting enough water, which in itself can relive headache pain and symptoms. This simple (and free) remedy will keep you feeling full, energised and headache-free.

You can also quench your thirst and stay hydrated with fruits and veggies – some even have a water content that’s over 90 per cent. Try adding these nutritious fruits and veggies to your diet in order to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most successful headache remedies, first of all, because it’s much safer than taking a painkiller. People who suffer from serious headaches, like migraines, often have low levels of magnesium, and several studies suggest that magnesium may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in people with low levels.

Those prone to low counts of magnesium include people with diabetes, heart disease, alcoholism, as well as those on diuretics for blood pressure.

Magnesium may prevent the wave of brain signaling, called cortical spreading depression, which produces the visual and sensory changes that are common when experiencing a headache, especially a migraine. Magnesium can block the pain-transmitting chemicals in the brain, and it can improve platelet function, which will help your body react to injuries and prevent bleeding.

Taking 200-600 mg of magnesium a day can reduce the frequency of headache attacks. Both oral and intravenous magnesium are widely available, extremely safe and inexpensive. Magnesium can be used safely by women who are pregnant. The most frequent side effect of magnesium is diarrhoea, but lowering your dose or taking it less often can eliminate that issue.

To increase your daily magnesium intake, eat more fibre. Dietary sources of magnesium include beans, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and vegetables like broccoli, squash and leafy greens. Dairy products, meats, chocolate and coffee also include decent levels of magnesium.

Gluten-free diet

When people with gluten sensitivity eat foods containing gluten, it can lead to a headache. According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, patients who have undiagnosed celiac disease and migraine headaches often see either complete resolution of migraine headaches, or a significant reduction in the frequency and strength of symptoms after giving up gluten.

You may not have celiac disease, but a gluten sensitivity that gives you a headache. If this is the case, you don’t have to cut out gluten completely – instead, try to cut back on your daily intake.

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