Headaches are a fairly common symptom that can occur due to a variety of conditions, including dehydration and illnesses such as the flu. Chronic headaches, on the other hand, can be more difficult to treat because it can be hard to isolate their cause. If a chronic headache becomes very severe, or if it is associated with other symptoms (such as dizziness or blurry vision), a doctor should be consulted. The following treatments are more for "at-home" remedies.
Step 1
Take over-the-counter pain relievers. These include aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Be careful when taking acetaminophen, because in large quantities it can cause liver damage, especially when taken with alcohol.
Step 2
Take decongestants. This can be useful if your headache is caused by allergies or sinus trouble.
Step 3
Take herbal and vitamin supplements. Riboflavin, magnesium and the herb feverfew (also known as Tanacetum parthenium), according to healiohealth.com, are thought to be effective in treating headaches, especially migraines (see Resources).
Step 4
Consider lifestyle changes. Some headaches can be brought upon by poor posture, alcohol consumption (especially red wine), lack of sleep or stress. Trying to eliminate or reduce these factors may help treat the headache.
Step 5
Try acupuncture. Some believe that the thin needles involved in acupuncture cause the release of natural pain relievers, called endorphins, throughout the body, which can help with tension or migraine headaches.
Things You'll Need
- Pain relievers
- Decongestants
- Riboflavin
- Magnesium
- Feverfew
