6 ways to beat chronic headaches without medication
How to get rid of a headache without medication (photo: Freepik)
Headache can arise from various reasons. To avoid constantly taking pills for it and sparing your liver, it's worth trying alternative ways to address the issue - Medical News Today proposes some hints.
Water
Consuming an adequate amount of water can help prevent headaches or reduce their severity. Dehydration can be a primary cause of headaches. As research in the journal AntioxidantsTrusted Source indicates, even mild dehydration can worsen well-being.
On the other hand, a study published in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical PracticeTrusted Source notes that drinking water doesn't reduce the duration of headaches in people but improves well-being.
Cold compress
Applying an ice pack or another cold object to the head or neck can help narrow blood vessels and reduce inflammation in that area. This may temporarily ease headaches.
Research in the Hawai'i Journal of Medicine & Public Health Trusted Source showed that applying ice compresses to the neck for 30 minutes significantly reduces pain in people with migraines.
Herbal tea
Herbal tea can be a beneficial way to add water to the diet while enjoying the benefits of other natural compounds.
A 2013 study Trusted Source showed that ginger powder reduces migraines. Simple tea with warm water and ginger powder can help manage symptoms. Other potentially soothing teas include peppermint, chamomile, and lavender.
Check for food intolerance
Sometimes, food intolerance can be a primary cause of symptoms such as headaches.
If headaches occur after eating, it may be helpful for people to keep a food journal, recording everything they eat daily. This can help them identify and avoid any products that may trigger headaches.
Head massage
Massaging specific pressure points can help relieve tension in the head and reduce headaches. Many people do this instinctively, such as rubbing the scalp or pressing the top of the nose when feeling stressed.
Many people believe that massaging the temples, jaw, or neck can help relieve tension and reduce tension headaches caused by excessive stress.
Vitamin E
In a review of vitamin supplements Trusted Source in 2015, it was noted that vitamin E may alleviate headaches and symptoms of migraines due to low-risk menstrual headaches with few side effects.
Vitamin E may help maintain hormonal balance to prevent symptoms during critical days. However, this research requires more extensive trials.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
