Your best headache cures!

[Spot's Meow]

I use a scented rice or flaxseed filled heating pad (such as this) on my forehead. Although it usually doesn't "cure" the headache, it at least relieves it while the heat is applied.

I also drink extra milk, especially if it's a hormonal headache accompanied by dizziness. I guess my body is lacking something during that time of the month that milk can provide.

Also, what makes my headaches worse is bright lights or reading, so I will wear sunglasses (even indoors) and don't use the computer/TV. But I have a natural sensitivity to light so this may not be an issue for you.

Tylenol also helps, though 90% of the time I avoid medications, I don't like the side effects. It usually comes down to a choice between having the headache or having nausea from medication, and often I prefer the headache.

Finally, the only real solution I have found is to go to sleep. Some days I wake up and have a headache that gets progressively worse throughout the day and no amount of remedies will fix it. I just have to sleep it off.

 

[Use of Time]

I take two Excedrin and then bury my forehead into a pillow giving myself just enough room to breathe. Usually takes about 15 minutes to ease. Drink water.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I'm trying the espresso cure now. I'll go get some Excedrin on the way home from picking my niece up from school.

And iguana, here's what I was talking about upthread. http://www.amazon.com/Medaglia-Oro-Instant-Espresso-2-Ounce/dp/B001E5E24A I decided to try it and it's not bad as instant stuff goes. Usually I just use it where recipes call for it. It's great for certain desserts and when one doesn't have an espresso machine.

 

[auntiehill]

I hope it stops on its own. I tire of doctors.

Are you also tired of life?

At times.

Maybe you wouldn't feel tired of life quite so much if you didn't have headaches all the time, and perhaps you wouldn't have headaches all the time if you went to the doctor. Just saying....

I had headaches almost every day for YEARS, until I finally was told to go to a specialist. It turns out that, because someone broke my nose before/around the time I was 2 years old (parents had some explaining to do), bony growths had almost completely cut off my sinuses. For years, doctors had told me there was nothing wrong, it was an infection that would go away with antibiotics, that I was just depressed, etc. Only that one doctor found the problem and it was fixed surgically in a simple, out-patient procedure.

Sometimes, it's just a matter of finding the right person to fix the problem.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I'm trying the espresso cure now. I'll go get some Excedrin on the way home from picking my niece up from school.

That's unwise. I do because, as I said, I know my sporadic, mild headaches are simply hangovers, lack of sleep, or caffeine deprivation. You shouldn't take a stimulant if you are having continuous migraines for days, especially if you take other medicaments as well

And iguana, here's what I was talking about upthread. http://www.amazon.com/Medaglia-Oro-Instant-Espresso-2-Ounce/dp/B001E5E24A

Ugh. No. Just no.

when one doesn't have an espresso machine.

And what's your excuse for not having one?

More seriously, if you want a decent coffee at home at a budget, get a moka pot. It's not really espresso, but it's a comfortable substitute. None of that instant crap.

 

[JarodRussell]

Are you also tired of life?

At times.

Maybe you wouldn't feel tired of life quite so much if you didn't have headaches all the time, and perhaps you wouldn't have headaches all the time if you went to the doctor. Just saying....

I had headaches almost every day for YEARS, until I finally was told to go to a specialist. It turns out that, because someone broke my nose before/around the time I was 2 years old (parents had some explaining to do), bony growths had almost completely cut off my sinuses. For years, doctors had told me there was nothing wrong, it was an infection that would go away with antibiotics, that I was just depressed, etc. Only that one doctor found the problem and it was fixed surgically in a simple, out-patient procedure.

Sometimes, it's just a matter of finding the right person to fix the problem.

Exactly!

It could also be something as simple as a bad tooth. Or neck tension. Teeth grinding at night.

 

[Draculasaurus]

I read somewhere that most headaches are caused by dehydration, and own experiences seem to confirm that.
Drink plenty of water and make sure there's enough salt in your system.
And yes, call the doctor if your headache lasts for a week.

 

[Newspaper Taxi]

Sleep is the best cure, as far as I can tell. The only times that I've woken up with the same migraine that I went to sleep with were when I had bad food poisoing and when I had a nasty sinus infection.

 

[RoJoHen]

Sleep, caffeine, food, and water. Usually when I get a headache, it's from de-hydration.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I'm downing water carefully right now.

 

[Ryan8bit]

Actually, caffeine is known to cause headaches, not cure them. Try to avoid it, especially if it's in a diet soda as sometimes aspartame can cause headaches as well. If you're tired of doctors, there are some simple things you can do on your own.

The hydration part is a really good tip. Make sure that you're getting enough water. I hear varying things, but one that I heard was to take your weight (in lbs), divide by two, and that's how many ounces of water you should drink in a day.

You should also get some exercise, even if it's just something moderate like stretches. Stretches can possibly help relieve muscle tension which could be a factor. Look up some good neck, shoulder, and back stretches online, but be careful not to overexert yourself. These should all be gentle. And supplement your workout with even more water than you would drink in a normal day.

Appropriate sleep is important too. Getting the right amount at the same intervals is important, and apparently things like naps can throw this rhythm off.

Lastly, there's the dreaded diet. You can probably google a quick hitlist of headache or migraine causing foods. Some of these can be really hard to quit, like the aforementioned caffeine. Other things like chocolate, nuts, cheeses, cured meats, etc. can be triggers. Sometimes it may help to just take note of what you ate and if you get a headache in the following day, you might be able to narrow it down. I think I get 'em from MSG.

I'm currently seeing a neurologist for them, and it's... frustrating. So I get why you're hesitant. But if you're able to, it might not be a bad idea to give it a shot. Like another poster said, they might find something out that you never knew was the cause. Like I apparently have Torticollis. I knew I had something like that, but I didn't know if it was anything serious or that it might be contributing to the headaches. Try and see the doctor, and if you don't like what they have to say, you're under no obligation to go back.

 

[RoJoHen]

Actually, caffeine is known to cause headaches, not cure them.

Unless it's a headache from caffeine withdrawal.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

well, in the worst case there's an infallible remedy invented by a French MD named Joseph-Ignace Guillotin...

Personally, I prefer my (rather strong) headache drops. I take metamizol, but the substance is a bit risky as some people react allergic to it. Fortunately, I don't.
It's available as pills as well but I prefer the drops because I can then vary the dose, according to the strength of my headache.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I am giving up the ghost, folks. I see the doctor tomorrow morning. I chose not to have meds after my late day Excedrin failed. I called the nurses hotline offered by my insurer and the nurse said to get an appointment within 72 hours unless things really change. Hopefully that means I'll be okay by Saturday afternoon. I shall see Star Trek: Into Darkness.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

More seriously, if you want a decent coffee at home at a budget, get a moka pot. It's not really espresso, but it's a comfortable substitute. None of that instant crap.

Interesting. That's what my parents used, though we just called it the espresso pot.

 

[tomalak301]

I just take Tylonal and water and hope it goes away. It usually does, even though sleep helps too.

 

[iguana_tonante]

More seriously, if you want a decent coffee at home at a budget, get a moka pot. It's not really espresso, but it's a comfortable substitute. None of that instant crap.

Interesting. That's what my parents used, though we just called it the espresso pot.

Every home in Italy has at least one moka pot (usually more than one). We usually call them just moka or simply caffettiera (coffeepot).

Recently there has been an increase of home espresso machines (like this one). Though not perfect, the results are closer to bar espresso.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

^I think we might have a Krups lying around somewhere. That was the in thing to have when the Seattle coffee craze exploded.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Of course, I used that image only because it was conveniently on wiki. The one I have is Italian.

 

[thestrangequark]

More seriously, if you want a decent coffee at home at a budget, get a moka pot. It's not really espresso, but it's a comfortable substitute. None of that instant crap.

Interesting. That's what my parents used, though we just called it the espresso pot.

Every home in Italy has at least one moka pot (usually more than one). We usually call them just moka or simply caffettiera (coffeepot).

Recently there has been an increase of home espresso machines (like this one). Though not perfect, the results are closer to bar espresso.

I have one of those! (My roommate is from Italy.)