According to MedlinePlus, the most common type of headache is a tension headache, which involves tenderness in the muscles around the head as well as head pain. Many treatment options avail for daily headaches. Getting relief may require a combination of therapies.
Diet
Food sensitivities can cause headaches. People may be sensitive or mildly allergic to various food groups. Common triggers are aspartame, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, dairy, wheat, eggs, dried fruits, processed meats and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Two types of diet that are helpful in alleviating headaches are the elimination diet and the anti-inflammatory diet. Both of these limit daily food choices to a handful of options at first, avoiding all of the common food triggers. They also add fruits and vegetables to help you get more nutrients and improve waste removal. It is important to follow these limited choices for several months and then slowly add in one potential food trigger at a time. If a headache starts within one to two hours of eating the food, that food is a trigger.
Nasal-Specific Procedure
For those with allergies and food sensitivities, problems with your sinuses may be causing headache pain. There are three sinuses on each side of the nose--upper, middle and lower--and the sinuses go deep into the head. A nasal-specific procedure can be used to ease sinus pressure. This procedure involves the introduction of a small, deflated latex finger cot (which looks like a small straight balloon) into the nasal sinuses. The finger cot is attached to a bulb, or hand pump that is used to rapidly inflate and deflate the finger cot. This will stretch the different areas of the sinuses, opening them up and allowing them to drain properly. A crackling can be heard or felt with the inflation of the balloon, which can cause some discomfort as it is not a normal feeling for the sinus cavities. Relief of headaches can be noticed in as little as one to three treatments. It is rare to need more than five treatments. This procedure can be done by a naturopath, chiropractor or a doctor that specializes in ear, eyes, nose and throat.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used for centuries for many conditions--from pain relief to helping poorly functioning internal organs--in countries such as China and India. The procedure is catching on in the United States as well. Acupuncture is the introduction of small needles into specific points on the body. These points relate to the areas of pain and are not always near the area of pain. The "Cochrane Database System Review" on Jan. 21, 2009 published results for acupuncture and tension-type headaches. A review of several eight-week or longer studies found that acupuncture was indeed a viable non-pharmacological intervention for headaches.
NSAIDs and Analgesics
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, are over-the-counter medications that can be used for any type of general ache or pain. Any general analgesic, such as acetaminophen, can also be used for headache relief. Each analgesic responds a little bit differently in different bodies, so a trial of several may need to be done to find the best option. Follow dosing instructions on the bottle for the best pain relief.
References
- Andrew Weil, M.D.: Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid
- "Conservative Care Pathways;" Steven E. Oliver, B.S., D.C., and Ron LeFebvre, M.A., D.C.; 2000
- "Cochrane Database System Review;" Acupuncture for Tension-Type Headache; K. Linde, et.al.; Jan. 21, 2009
