First of all, headaches are basically pain to the head or neck region.
There are two basic classes;
A) Primary headaches: this class is NOT due to underlying diseases. The most common examples are migraines and tension-type headaches. Other examples include trigerminal neuralgia, cluster/ post-menopausal/ post coital headaches.
These are commonly treated with NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) There are many classes of NSAIDs. The popular ibuprofen is an NSAID.
2) Secondary headaches; This class is due to an underlying disease and treatment of the disease leads to its cessation. (E.g. if your headache is due to meningitis, treating the meningitis makes the headache disappear. ) A lot of diseases can manifest as headaches.
Now, if your tired of popping pills for your primary type headache; there are other alternative therapies.
Most of theses are notscientifically proven but their practice has been found to relieve headaches. They include;
1) Massages,yoga and other mind-body techniques; especially for stress related headaches.
2)Life style changes;get adequate sleep, regular meals, stay hydrated, always exercise.
3)Natural products;cloves, apple cider, thyme, basil, cinnamon, can all be used in different ways to treat headaches; for example, you can try them as teas.
4)Ice compress to the head/ hot water foot bath; Yes. Hot or cold, you can make it work.
5)Herbal medicines; notably, the feverfew, butterbur root extract and ginger.
6) Aromatherapy; especially with perppermint and lavender oils.
7)Acupuncture; Yes, It may be strange this Chinese method of pricking the body with needles can dissipate a headache.
This is a broad and simplifed overview of solutions to headaches from the view of modern medicine and from other alternative views.
As a medic, I enjoyed writing this, hope you enjoyed the reading and learnt a thing or two!
