Fascinating Tips for Averting Headaches in Christmas season
This is my 6th blog on Xmas 2012. in the fifth blog post you see How to decorate your fireplace look like Hollywood stars homes. In this blog you will see tips for preventing Headaches in holiday season. Headaches are one of the most common forms of pain. Not everyone’s headaches are the same, but wanting fast relief is common to all headache sufferers.
Why we all get Headaches
Headaches can be classified as either
Primary
These headaches are not associated with any known medical condition
or
Secondary
Which is due to an underlying medical problem such as high blood pressure, stroke, brain tumour, aneurysm, bleeding into the brain, encephalitis or meningitis
Common causes of primary headaches are as follows:
- Emotions — stress or anxiety
- Fatigue — overdoing it
- Sleeping patterns — not enough sleep or too much sleep
- Poor nutrition — not eating regular meals or skipping meals altogether
- The weather — sudden changes in temperature
- Menstruation — for some women, headaches is part of the pain they feel just before or during their menstrual periods
- Certain foods or drinks — foods containing tyramine (aged cheese and red wine), nitrites (bacon and processed meats) or monosodium glutamate (MSG, packet soups), chocolate, peanuts, dairy products, caffeine (even caffeine withdrawal), alcohol, and aspartame can trigger a headache
- Sound, light and atmosphere — exposure to bright lights, loud noises, strong odours and cigarette smoke
- Side effects from some medication—like birth control pills, high blood-pressure medication and nitroglycerin can cause headaches or make them worse
- Sinus problems—sinusitis or sinus infections can be the start of a headache
- Allergies — allergic reactions
- Dental pain
- Head and/or neck injuries
- A hangover
- Substance or medication abuse
Tips for Preventing Headaches
There’s a direct link between relieving your headache and preventing it altogether — namely, making lifestyle choices the can help prevent future headaches. Of course not everybody with the same lifestyle habits will experience headaches, but if you do, it may be time to make some simple adjustments. That way, your active days are less likely to get interrupted by headaches.
1. Avoid excessive alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause hangover headaches.
2. Avoid certain foods
Some headaches have known causes — certain foods and beverages, bright lights, loud noises, strong odours or smoke-filled rooms to name a few. (Read more about common triggers in the About Your Headaches section.) If you’re not sure about what triggers your headache, try keeping a “headache log” and see if any patterns arise.
3. Managing Stress
Be proactive about your stress by practicing relaxation and deep breathing exercises, have a massage or get some real down time from your hectic life — even if that means taking a “staycation”.
4. Not Getting Good Sleep
Get better quality sleep. Set yourself up for a good night’s sleep.
5. Good Diets
Eat right. Eat well-balanced meals and get enough fluids to help you stay nourished and hydrated.
6. Do more exercise?
Get active. Even a little exercise will help you manage stress, which could help prevent recurring tension headaches. Take the stairs, enjoy a yoga class, and go for regular walks or join a fitness club— all are great ways to increase your exercise level.
7. Dress Properly
Keep your body temperature in check. Dress sensibly both indoors and out.
8. Traveling
Be travel wise. Travelling to a different time-zone means your body needs time to adjust and get over jet lag.
9 Medication Side effects
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about medication you’re taking. Some medication (like birth control pills, high blood-pressure medication and nitroglycerin) could cause headaches or make them worse. Ask your healthcare professional about side effects and possible solutions.
