Do You Suffer From Headaches? The Top 10 Causes And How To Treat Them Naturally

Most of us have experienced the dull ache or throbbing inside the head that so aptly describes a headache. In addition, many people suffer from debilitating and recurring migraines If you are constantly plagued with the pain of headaches or migraines seem to strike without warning, life can become quite miserable!

Reaching for painkillers  or headache tablets is not always such a good idea either, especially if you are popping them as eagerly as you would eat a box of candy! . More and more research is uncovering side effects of chronic pain killer usage – and using painkillers too frequently can actually CAUSE recurring headaches!

You must have heard the term ‘Prevention is better than cure’ and this certainly applies to the treatment of headaches and migraines! In order to treat and prevent recurring headaches and migraines, it would help to know what causes or triggers them and how you can prevent and treat them without having to pop a pill. 

Top 10 causes and triggers of headaches and migraines

1. Stress

Your typical work day looks something like this – eight long hours at the office trying to meet deadlines, coping with difficult clients or juggling four different projects at the same time. You then head home to start dinner, help the kids with homework, walk the dog and complete work that you didn’t have time to complete at the office. By the end of the week, your head is pounding – are you still wondering why? As the stress and tension of the week draws to a close, stress levels begin to drop which causes neurotransmitters in the brain to be released rapidly. They send out impulses to the blood vessels which contract and dilate – causing your headache.

Solution
Learning how to manage stress and tension in your life is very important to prevent recurring headaches and migraines. Yes, our lives are hectic and that’s why creating a balance to find time to relax and de-stress can make all the difference. Make an effort to include some “down time” into your working week by attending a pilates or yoga class, going for a walk or escape for a while by enjoying a relaxing bath.   
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2. Anger, worry or excitement

Emotions such as anger, worry or excitement can trigger a headache or migraine. These emotions  affect us differently and we also deal with them our own unique way. Stress presents itself in many ways – anger because of an argument with a friend, worry about your financial situation and debt piling up or excitement about going on an overseas trip.  

Solution
As soon as you feel a headache coming on, stop what you are doing, breathe deeply or get some fresh air or stretch. In the Feelgood Health range, there are natural remedies specially formulated to stop and shorten the attack of recurring headaches and migraines. Use AllisOne Mag Phos Tissue Salt no. 8 which is a nerve nutrient that helps with neuralgia, neuropathy, migraines & tension headaches. To help with stress, anxiety or anger management, see our all natural PureCalm Drops. 
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3. Weather changes

Headache sufferers often find that changes in the weather can bring about head pain. When the weather gets hot and temperatures rise, humidity is high and storms approach are common triggers leading to a headache. Pressure changes in the atmosphere can trigger chemical changes in the brain which causes the onset of a headache.

Solution
While you can’t control the weather, you can check the forecast in advance to predict when you may have a headache episode. Most people prone to headaches would take over-the-counter or prescription medication to relieve symptoms but taking too many of these tablets can actually increase the frequency of your headaches. This is known as the ‘rebound effect’ and causes pain when the body is withdrawing from the pain medication. If you feel a headache starting, reach for the AllisOne Mag Phos Tissue Salt no. 8 and have a good few doses to feel better.
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4. Hormones

Women tend to suffer from headaches more than men do – blame it on those hormones! Many women suffer with painful headaches or migraines around menstruation time. In the days leading up to your period, you may experience that your headaches are more frequent and intense. The reason for this is that around your menstruation time, the female hormone, oestrogen drops which sometimes causes a headache.

Solution
Getting enough rest especially at the beginning of your menstrual cycle is beneficial if you suffer from severe headaches or migraines. Drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fresh fruit and veggies a week before your menstrual period begins can also lessen the severity of the headaches. Use a natural supplement such as Evening Primrose Oil  - it is a natural pain killer and helps to alleviate menstrual headaches. A must-have remedy to have on hand is FemaLite which contains herbal ingredients specially selected to treat headaches, cramps, moodiness and other PMS symptoms before and during menstruation.
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5. Posture

How often has your mother told you, “Stand up straight, shoulders straight, chin up!”? Slouching and bending forward causes tension in the upper back, neck and shoulders – and, believe it or not can lead to a headache. Poor posture and sitting in front of your computer for long periods hunched over is another common reason why you may be plagued with nagging headaches.

Solution
A quick and easy fix is to avoid sitting or standing in the same position for long periods. Make sure that if you are sitting in front of your computer for extended periods that you support your back or invest in an ergonomic chair to take the pressure off your back and neck. Visit a physiotherapist or chiropractor to help you to correct your posture and in that way relieve your headaches. At the very least, stand up and stretch or take a short walk around the office as often as you can! 
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6. Diet

Did you know that certain foods may be causing your headache or migraine? Watch what you eat because foods such as mature cheeses, citrus fruits, onions, processed meats, salty foods, nuts, fizzy drinks, chocolate and ice-cream are headache triggers. Being hungry, skipping meals or not eating regularly is another headache trigger to be aware of. When you get busy, you often forget to eat and then wonder why you have a throbbing headache!  Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar which is the cause for a headache and quick crash.

Solution
The best way to figure out if certain foods are triggering your headache is to keep a diary. Jot down if you suspect something that you ate may be causing your headache and then eliminate to from your diet for a couple of weeks and then see if you experience fewer headaches. Remember to eat regular meals or have a healthy snack if you are feeling peckish – it will definitely help to keep headaches away.
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7. Water

What you drink is very important to prevent the onset of a headache. Not drinking enough water will cause you to become dehydrated and trigger a headache or migraine. Lots of people will drink coffee all day or fizzy drinks without realizing that these beverages are responsible for their headaches.

Solution
Limit your intake of coffees, lattes, espressos and fizzy beverages and replace with eight glasses of water daily. For those you who don’t like drinking water, add slices of lemon, mint or cucumber for refreshing flavour and say goodbye to headaches! 
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8. Exercise in moderation

While we all know that exercise is good for your health, too much exercise on the other hand can lead to headaches. During exercise and heavy workouts, blood circulation increases in the head and neck areas which can bring about a headache.

Solution
As with everything, moderation is key! Exercise at least three times per week and if a headache strikes, stop your work out or gym session and relax. Try to incorporate more relaxing forms of exercise such as yoga, pilates or tai chi into your regimen to keep you centered and peaceful.
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9. Lack of sleep

Changes in sleep patterns, tiredness and a lack of sleep can also lead to frequent headache episodes. If you’ve been having lots of late nights or not sleeping properly, then it’s most likely that you would have a throbbing headache the next day.

Solution
Make an effort to get to bed earlier at night so that you can have a good night’s rest. It is recommended that you have 7 hours sleep at night to feel rejuvenated and alert during the day. For those who struggle to fall asleep and may need some help, try Serenite Plus, an all-natural sleep remedy to induce drowsiness and help you sleep much better.
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10. Cigarettes, alcohol and drugs

Chemicals found in these substances can trigger headaches or migraines, especially in excess. Don’t think your prescription and over the counter drugs are not culprits either – one of the most common causes of drug related headaches is the painkiller itself!

Solution
We don’t need to tell you what to do if you are smoking or using too much alcohol or recreational drugs! We can tell you that there is always help if you are battling to give up! For example – if you are a smoker or nicotine addict,  have a look at the Feelgood health Stop Smoking Solution for some help.

If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, it would be a good idea to review the medication you are taking and discuss this with your doctor to make sure that medication itself is not the culprit. It could be that a simple switch to something else will solve the problem. In addition, there are many natural alternatives to OTC drugs – meaning that you can achieve the same result without the side effects! Why not make use of our free ASKUS service for some advice!
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