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There's nothing like a throbbing headache to bring you down. Suffering with a headache can deplete your energy reserves, reduce your efficiency, and put a halt to everyday activities. Who needs the pain? There are a number of types of headaches, such as tension, sinus and migraine. But as we learn more about this problem, it becomes evident that they are often avoidable. The next time you get a headache, don't just reach for the aspirin or the ibuprofen. Instead, try something a little more proactive. Follow these 10 strategies to try and stop the headache in its tracks the next time without resorting to medications. 1. When you're outside on a sunny day, cover your head with a hat. Too much of the sun's heat can cause vascular changes in your brain and alter its delicate balance of fluids. The result is frequently a headache. 2. Avoid exhaust fumes. The noxious mix of chemicals produced by construction equipment or a car's exhaust pipe can rapidly set off a headache. 3. Don't style your hair too tightly. Tight ponytails, braids and buns irritate the connective tissues of the muscles around your scalp. The same applies to headbands, tight hats and heavy earrings. 4. Take it easy. Stress is a known cause of tension headaches. If you're feeling stressed, take a break, take a walk, listen to music, or soak in a hot tub. Even a short nap can help forestall a headache if you feel one coming on. 5. Easy on the noise. Noise can be a major cause of headaches. And it's not just honking horns, construction, or sirens we're talking about here. Turn down the volume on your iPod, turn off the TV unless you're really watching it, or send your kids outside to play for a little while. Silence can be golden, especially when it comes to headache prevention. If necessary, invest in some earplugs for those times when you're going to have to be in a noisy environment. 6. Make a visit your dentist. Sometimes, toothache pain can actually masquerade as headache pain, or can make a headache occur when you didn't have one before. Making sure everything is fine in your mouth will help ensure that everything is fine with your head, too. This is especially true if your troublesome tooth is in your upper mouth instead of your lower mouth. 7. Sit up straight. Bad posture leads to headaches by cramping your neck and shoulder muscles. If you sit for most of your workday, make sure your chair and computer are positioned properly so you don't slouch. Consider purchasing a back support cushion. 8. Eat regularly. Skipping meals leads to low blood sugar and plunging energy levels, which can trigger a migraine. 9. Avoid monosodium glutamate and caffeine, both of which are known to cause migraines. 10. Start a headache diary. Whenever you experience a headache, make note of the conditions. Did you eat something strange? What was the weather like? Were you unusually stressed, or maybe in PMS? After a while, your headache journal can help you identify a pattern to the cause of your headaches. Certainly, there are lots of causes for a headache, and these guidelines shouldn't be replacement for a visit to your doctor. But it's worth a try to see if you can discover what's triggering your chronic headaches and pre-empt them without popping pills. Give it a try and just see if you can put that aspirin bottle away, or at least reduce the amount you take.
By: Kim Archer
Kim Archer writes about women's wellness. She is publisher of The Internet Spa, where you'll find up-to-date information to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.
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