Before taking painkillers think about some natural ways to treat migraine.
If you feel that migraine attack is coming, first of all try some techniques to relax. A simple deep breathing and muscle tension help to relax tense muscles which cause headaches. According to experts, another effective method – aromatherapy oils which contain peppermint extract. One drop of the oil should be applied on pulsating points – temples and neck.
If you get headache because of tension and stress which is a quite different from migraine you can try cold and heat therapy. Cold slows down blood flow and reduces inflammation. The heat increases blood flow. Both of these methods can help to reduce pain but you will have to decide yourself what to choose. Wrap a container with hot water or ice into a cloth and hold it to the source of pain for not more than 15 minutes. You can also replace compresses every 5 minutes. Start with cold and then replace it to hot one.
Another great method to treat headache is caffeine. Caffeine is known to block brain receptors from neurotransmitter adenosine which may encourage blood vessels to expand and create pressure. Caffeine constricts blood vessels and pain can be relieved. Don’t forget that this method is effective only if you drink not more than 1-2 cups of coffee every day. If you drink more, your blood vessels will not react to caffeine.
If your headache is led by stomachache, the best treatment is peppermint tea. Peppermint reduces gastro-intestinal cramps and this suppresses symptoms of headache. Besides, peppermint reduces nausea.