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Headaches are one of the most common of all aches and pains. The treatment of headaches can be hard because they can be caused by so many different things. The cause can usually help you know what to do about it. In this article, we will take a look at the most frequent causes of headaches and how to treat them at home.
Headaches are most commonly caused by stress, eye fatigue, or sinus pressure. You have to be a bit of a detective to discover which might be the cause of your headache.
SINUS PRESSURE
A sinus headache usually shows up as pain in front of your forehead, and you may even have tenderness in your cheek bones. An over-the-counter antihistamine can help relieve the pressure. Warm compresses on your face are also helpful.
STRESS
Chronic stress and anxiety can have a nasty habit of making the muscles in your neck and shoulders tighten up, causing a tension headache. Treat a tension headache with Tylenol or Advil, and do some light stretching of your neck and shoulders. A warm bath can help, too. Of course, do what you can to lighten your load of stress. Take some time to relax and breathe deeply.
EYE STRAIN
Some headaches are the result of eye strain. Common causes of eye strain are glare from the sun, too much time staring at small print on a computer or phone, or uncorrected vision problems that cause straining to see clearly. Take Tylenol or Advil to reduce the pain, then try to address the cause. Start by adjusting any sources of glare by the use of shades, or move around to find a different position. Wear sunglasses and a hat when outside. Take frequent breaks from close reading, especially while riding in a car. If the headaches continue, especially if you also have some blurred vision, get your eyes checked.
OTHER HEADACHE CAUSES
Some people get headaches when they are hungry, dehydrated, or very tired. To prevent these headaches, eat healthy meals, get plenty of sleep, drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and do some regular daily exercise. Overdoing it can cause headaches as well so “easy does it” is key.
Although headaches can be caused by something serious like brain tumors, most headaches are not anything to worry about and can be treated at home. If home remedies do not work, if your headaches are extremely painful, or if they come back again and again, make an appointment to see a primary care doctor.
