Does caffeine help with a tension headache?
Caffeine may help curb headaches. But heavy daily caffeine use can lead to headaches. Generally, getting more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day — more than about four cups of coffee — can cause headaches and irritability. Regular caffeine use also increases the risk of headaches. While some people may find acute treatments containing caffeine or consuming caffeine when they’re having a migraine attack may help to treat it, this likely won’t work for everyone. If you find you are particularly sensitive to caffeine and it triggers your migraine or makes it worse, it’s best to avoid caffeine.Magnesium plays an important role in a range of functions in the body. It’s essential in making sure your nervous system works properly. Magnesium supplements may reduce frequency and severity of migraine attacks for some people. They may also help certain migraine medicines work better.A few of the most commonly used and researched vitamins and supplements for migraine are magnesium, riboflavin or vitamin B2 and coenzyme Q10. It typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to determine if they are helpful in reducing attacks. Magnesium is one of the most well-studied supplements for migraine prevention.
What drinks help with tension headaches?
Peppermint Tea: Known for its muscle-relaxing properties, peppermint tea can help alleviate tension headaches by soothing muscle tightness in the head and neck. Ginger Tea: Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory, making ginger tea an excellent choice for reducing migraine-related pain and nausea. If you have chronic tension headaches, your provider may prescribe: Antiseizure medications like gabapentin (Neurontin®) or topiramate (Topamax®, Topiragen ®). Antidepressants like amitriptyline that relieve pain. Alternative therapies like biofeedback, meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage stress.Pain relievers available without a prescription are usually the first line of treatment for reducing headache pain. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).Massage therapy appears to be an effective nonpharmacological treatment for alleviating chronic tension headache. A significant and meaningful reduction in headache frequency and duration was observed in this study even though the number of subjects was small.The best teas for headaches and migraines include chamomile tea, peppermint tea, ginger tea, clove tea, turmeric tea, and lavender tea. A bad headache can easily ruin your day and sap your energy, making it difficult to focus on anything except the pain you’re in.Tension headaches can be triggered by stress, dehydration, eye strain, caffeine withdrawal or poor posture. A tension headache will usually go away with over-the-counter pain medicines, rest, a heat pack or massage. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and learning to manage your stress can help prevent tension headaches.
How can I cure my tension headache?
Rest, ice packs or a long, hot shower may be all you need to relieve a tension-type headache. If you experience chronic tension-type headaches, these strategies can help you reduce how many you have or how painful they are: Manage your stress level. The most common alternative diagnosis which can present similarly to tension-type headache is migraine without aura, and both headache disorders may co-exist.One of the key differences between tension headaches and migraines is that tension headaches only lead to head pain, while migraines can come with a host of other symptoms. Migraines are neurological disorders, and many people experience the head pain in addition to other issues, including: Neck stiffness.Brain tumor headaches tend to cause pain that’s worse when coughing or straining. People with brain tumors most often report that the headache feels like a tension headache. Some people say the headache feels like a migraine. Brain tumors in the back of the head might cause a headache with neck pain.Common symptoms of tension headaches include: pain on both sides of your head, face or neck.
What worsens a tension headache?
It may be triggered by or get worse with stress, fatigue, noise, or glare. You may have difficulty sleeping. Tension headaches usually do not cause nausea or vomiting. People with tension headaches often try to relieve pain by massaging their scalp, temples, or the bottom of the neck. Some primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors, including: Alcohol, particularly red wine. Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates. Changes in sleep or lack of sleep.Some people may get prodrome symptoms, the beginning of a migraine attack. These can be subtle warnings such as constipation, mood changes, food cravings, neck stiffness, increased urination, or even frequent yawning. Sometimes people may not even realize that these are warning signs of a migraine attack.Try to eat well and drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are prone to morning sickness. Reduce your stress level. Try a massage or cold pack to help with tension headaches. If your headache is a migraine, rest in a cool, dark room with no noise.
Why did caffeine cure my headache?
In some types of headaches, the blood vessels in the brain dilate, or swell. They expand into the surrounding tissues, which triggers pain. Consuming caffeine, which narrows the vessels, can ease or even reverse some headache pain. The caffeine in the coke can act as a nerve disruptor, it is a substance that affects nerve activity. For some, that disturbance works in a positive way, Dr Kennis says. There are some painkillers that people take for migraines that have caffeine – and some do respond well to that – but we don’t fully know why.