Simply put, a headache is any pain that affects your head. Headaches include tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches. Although headaches are not generally serious, in some cases they may signal an underlying health problem such as high blood pressure or, in rare cases, a brain tumor. The BBC Health website notes that you can help reduce the incidence of headaches by avoiding known triggers, such as certain foods and environmental factors, and increasing your physical activity. However, you may need to take over-the-counter analgesics to help relieve an existing headache. Taking a magnesium supplement may also help prevent headaches, although evidence to prove this is limited. Talk to your doctor before taking any new supplements.
Role of Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral. The body uses it to perform functions including cell signaling, lipid synthesis and energy production. Magnesium may play a role in the prevention of numerous ailments including fatigue, heart disease and headaches. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that people who suffer from migraine headaches often have lower magnesium levels than people who don't.
Sources and Dosage
Foods that contain magnesium include vegetables, meats, nuts and grains. Magnesium is also available as a dietary supplement. The amount needed to prevent headaches depends on several factors such as your age and the type or severity of your headaches. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 200 to 600 mg to prevent a migraine headache. However, you may need to take more or less than this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what is suitable for you.
Effectiveness
Based on an analysis of data from clinical studies, experts from the New York Headache Center state that magnesium is the most helpful dietary supplement for the prevention of migraine headaches. The results of a clinical study published in the June 2003 issue of "Headache" show that magnesium significantly reduced headache frequency. However, the authors state that their findings do not conclusively prove that magnesium is an effective remedy for headache prevention.
Safety Considerations
Although magnesium is a natural compound, taking a dietary supplement may cause side effects including vomiting, cramps, diarrhea and unpleasant taste in the mouth. However, magnesium toxicity is relatively rare. Do not take a magnesium supplement if you have end-stage renal disease or heart block. It may also interact with other drugs that you may be using, including digoxin and tetracycline antibiotics.
References
- BBC Health; Headache; Rob Hicks; February 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Migraine Headache; Steven D. Ehrlich; September 2009
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Magnesium; December 2009
- "The Clinical Journal of Pain"; Foods and Supplements in the Management of Migraine Headaches; C. Sun-Edelstein, A. Mauskop; June 2009
- "Headache"; Oral Magnesium Oxide Prophylaxis of Frequent Migrainous Headache in Children: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial; F. Wang, et al.; June 2003
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