Studies have shown that taking CoQ10 supplements may be an effective natural way to treat headaches. Evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency is more common in people who get frequent migraine headaches than in those who don’t (13). Increased screen time—like looking at computer screens for a long time—can result in headaches. “Screen headaches,” as they’re sometimes called, need more research, but one study pointed to a relationship between high levels of screen time and migraines in young adults. Headache is one of the first signs of dehydration, the process of losing body water.
When to see a doctor for headaches and migraine
Therefore, getting the right amount of rest important for those looking for natural headache prevention (22). For example, headaches can result from potentially life threatening conditions, including tumors and blood clots, as well as from traumatic brain injury (5). During the times you’re headache-free, regular exercise is a good way to help you stay that way. Researchers concluded that aerobic exercise—like biking, cross-training, and walking briskly—could help in migraine prevention treatment. When you’re spending a lot of time in the sun, it can be a migraine trigger. Headaches can be also symptoms of heat exhaustion—a condition that intermediate familial subtype requires medical attention.
One 2018 review of research published in the journal Children noted that too little exercise may influence adolescents’ headaches. Regular, moderate exercise may help, such as brisk walking or riding a bike for 30 minutes daily. “There’s good evidence that if you do drink caffeine, you need to stay stable on the dose because reducing significantly can precipitate a withdrawal headache,” Dr. Rosen says. Since drinking too many caffeinated beverages can cause headaches in some people, try to average less than 150 milligrams of caffeine per day (about two 8-ounce cups of coffee), he adds. Fueling your body from sunup to sundown can also help keep headaches at bay.
Try a nutritional supplement to prevent headaches.
- You should also avoid drinking too much caffeine, as this can make you jittery and interfere with sleep (69).
- “Light and noise can be directly impairing.” Distancing yourself from whatever’s exacerbating your pain can help you get back to 100% faster.
- However, getting too much sleep has also been shown to trigger headaches.
- It also helps increase the effectiveness of common medications used to treat headaches, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen (43).
- If you’re used to sitting hunched over a computer all day, you may start to notice your shoulders creeping up as your stress levels rise.
Try keeping a “headache diary” of the foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis or specifically when you experience a headache. If head pain ever gets in the way of your day-to-day life—even if it only strikes once a month—it’s helpful to see a doctor. With that said, there are a lot of factors that can get in the way of making that appointment.
A 2021 review that included 6 studies found that treatment with 30–800 mg of CoQ10 per day was effective for reducing migraine frequency and duration (40). For example, supplementing with 600 mg of magnesium citrate may be effective for reducing headaches in people with migraine (15). Studies have shown that treatment with supplemental magnesium, in many different doses and forms, may help reduce both the frequency and the severity of migraine headaches (14). People with obesity, those with sleep disorders, those who smoke, and those with high caffeine intake are more at risk of experiencing headaches.
Massaging the neck near the base of the skull may also help release tension. Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, where practitioners place small needles into the skin’s surface. Start by finding a quiet place with a comfortable chair in your home, office, or other location where you will not be distracted.
Health Challenges
Practicing yoga is an excellent way to relieve stress, increase flexibility, decrease pain, and improve your overall quality of life (48). liberty caps identification A 2020 overview of 15 systematic reviews concluded that acupuncture may be an effective therapy for people with migraine (46). This practice has been linked to a reduction in headache symptoms in many studies. Sipping on beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea or coffee, may provide relief when you are experiencing a headache.
Try Limited Amounts of Caffeine
Aromatherapy is the study of how certain smells can trigger positive and even healing responses in the brain. Don’t just take a break to stretch when a headache is already starting to creep in. It’s important to stretch throughout the day, especially if you work at a desk. If you’re not sure how to stretch, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a list of workplace stretches and exercises to get you started. Not only is it cost-effective mixing molly and weed to make, but drinking the tea is a healthy way to stay hydrated. Taking up yoga may even help reduce the intensity and frequency of your headaches.
According to the International Headache Society, there are more than 150 types of headaches. Headaches fall into one of two categories—primary or secondary headaches. Stimulants like alcohol, sugar, nicotine, and caffeine can keep you from sleeping and keep you up at night with trips to the bathroom.
“Have your significant other or friend press on the trapezius muscles in your shoulders,” he advises. Pressing on the temple areas or over the ears can also help relieve bands of tight muscles. A study of 400 people who experienced either migraine or tension headaches found that strong odors, especially perfumes, often triggered headaches (51).