The past 3 days I’ve had a low-level headache and could use your help…
I am chalking it up to springtime allergies, which so far have not affected my sinuses as much as last year. But I still have the headache – whoopee.
I’d describe it as starting behind my eyes (pressure) and running up to the front of my head. Sort of like if I grabbed my forehead with my palm covering my eyes. It hurts there.
Do you know of any home remedies or over the counter medicines that would help? All I want to do now is go back to bed.
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You might want to have your eyes checked (if you haven’t done so already). I had a new pair of prescription contact lenses made for me about 4 years ago. But they always gave me problems. I stopped wearing them and I noticed that when I was working (and staring at a computer screen) I got headaches. But the headaches would last and last. I thought there was something else wrong with me. Long story short (too late), I had PRK laser correction surgery done and I’ve been headache free since. I’m fortunate not to have allergies so I don’t have to deal with that possibility.
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Peppermint oil applied under your nose. (Be careful with application and wash hands!!)
Rice packs heated in the microwave for four minutes applied over eyes / back of neck.
Also take a hot shower w/ Dr. Bronners Peppermint Castile Soap (the liquid version) Oh it makes you tingle – see http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/PEP.htm
**Have your blood pressure checked.**
I had suffered for years. Best wishes & please let us know what you discover with the solutions.
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My sympathies! This happens to me a lot. The only OTC medication that works is Sudafed, that is the REAL Sudafed (psuedoephedrine). The stuff on the pharmacy shelves does not contain psuedoephedrine, it contains stuff that doesn’t work. Ask the pharmacist for it.
Also, during allergy season I would suggest you use a sinus rinse like Neilmed. Once I started using it regularly, it cut down on my headaches. Good luck!
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I agree 100%, Sudafed…the real behind the counter stuff. I have these head aches all the time, and have been to several Doctors. Sinus trouble is one main cause, even though you might not have a stuffy nose! It can’t hurt to try, but also you need to see a doctor to make sure everything else is ok>
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Tiger balm on your temples, rub tendons in back of neck to release tension, and most importantly, snort this twice a day:
Sinus Rinse
16 oz. H2O
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Mix.
Pour some into palm of hand and snort.
Other things to try:
1) Brush teeth with flossing and mouthwash. Something about swishing, gargling, changing teeth positions, spitting, etc., makes it so you can clear your head a little.
2) Gargle with salt water periodically to clear head/get rid of drip.
3) Take a bath in fairly warm water. Submerge your head so your ears are covered. Even allow them to fill with water to put pressure on the inside of your head and help it drain. Then — KEY — sit up in the tub so that your wet hair gets cold. This is supposed to help shrink the nasal/sinus membranes and gives some relief. I imagine using a cold wet towel on the head might also help, but I think the bath steam helps and that’s why this is good.
4) Eat hot stuff like chili peppers, salsa. Again, this helps drainage. Even a little bit of heat helps break things up.
5) Cold compress over eyes to help the eyes stop swelling and bring some comfort.
All of these things help a little, and reduce the suffering somewhat. But I swear, allergies are getting worse and worse as I get older! I hope you feel better!
Take care Brad, we need you!
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PS — Lie down and let head drain. Try with and without a pillow, side to side, head nose pointed up toward wall, and head pointed down toward feet, and rolling from one side to another.
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Sleep, lots of fluids, and perhaps a walk. (i know this sounds lame, but it helps the lack of blood flow, which is the initial cause of most headaches.
Hope it goes away soon!
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My daughter has used something called “Mygrastick.” It’s peppermint and lavender essential oils in a rollerball applicator. You apply a small amount to your temples and she said that she felt relief almost immediately. She recommended it to a friend of mine who gets migraines quite often, and she said that, although her headache didn’t go away immediately, it only lasted about 1/10 as long as usual. We bought it at a small, local health food store, but I saw that Amazon has it, too.
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I suffered from a headache for several days earlier in the year. I went to a regular chiropractor appointment for my back and she adjusted my jaw and the headache went instantly. Apparently my jaw was slightly disaligned (apparently due to stress causing me to tense my teeth) and this was leading in uneven pressure in my head when I moved my jaw.
If the other suggestions don’t work I would recommend going to have a check up a chiropractor.
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So many good suggestions, I couldn’t do them all. But I did try Ria’s gargling and hot sauce suggestion. Also I slept alot as Terra suggested. And you know what? My headache is gone this morning!
I am curious though about the Mygrastick and peppermint oil suggestions. I’m going to be out and about today, I’ll see if I can find them at my health food store.
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Oh Brad, Great!
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I usually find headaches are due to dehydration, stress or tiredness. So upping my fluid intake, getting plenty of sleep or having some time-out (maybe a walk in the fresh air) will usually sort it out.
But if my sinuses are at all involved, steam inhalation helps (put your head over a basin filled with hot water and cover your head with a towel for 10-15 minutes. You can add aromatherapy oil or some herbs or a spoonful of vicks if you like.
A little lavender oil on your temples, the bridge and sides of your nose and across your forehead will help to relieve sinusitis and stress headaches.
I hope your headache clears soon … looks like you have plenty advice to try!
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Brad,
There was a flue bug going around New York last month that seemed to have an ongoing low-grade headache as a symptom.
If your headaches are allergy related, I have started using a neti pot on a regular basis and found it to be very helpful for relieving sinus congestion.
The result is similar to the nasal rinse suggested above, but I’ve done both and much prefer the neti pot. I mix a little sea salt with warm water in the pot and rinse out my sinuses during my morning shower.
Just Google it and you’ll find lots of info.
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Brad,
My worst headaches from barometric pressure. When I feel one coming on, I’ll typically check the weather to see if a front is moving in. If it appears the weather is causing it, I’ll take an excedrin migraine early on. I hate taking pills, so acting early really does the trick in my case.
I’ve wanted to purchase a barometer for some time now so that I can get used to seeing the measurement every day. This way I’d intuitively know what my “feel good” vs. “feel bad” ranges are.
Was there some poor weather in your area while you were in pain? If so, a barometer may be a wise investment so you can start using your peppermint oil early on. =)
Bill
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This is what I give my husband when he has a bad headache:
1 Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg tablet (Walgreens Wal-finate Allergy 4 Hour Tablets)
2 Ibuprofen 200mg each
and an ice pack. Usually he find that it starts to go away in 20 minutes, but he gets a little sleepy. Try it next time. I also use this for tension headaches.
Liz
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I found that when I reduced my wheat and milk intake my headaches disappeared.
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Make sure you are hydrated. You can get migranes triggered from dehydration.
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I am sorry about your migraine. I know how it is, You are lucky its only a low level migraine and not a crippling one. I get mine when I get dehydrated or when the weather changes. When the pressure changes or I see in the forecast that a storm is comming or something like that I prepare. Alot of water helps with my migraines and sometimes instant coffee does the trick. A warm cup of strong instant coffee without milk helps me with my migraines.
migraines last blog post..Headache Triggers and Migraines
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ive had the worse head ache 3 days now im ready to loosse my mind!
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I often have three-day headaches. Been to numerous doctors – they have no idea what’s causing them. A couple of times they’ve lasted four days and once, during allergy season I had a positional headache (it went away when I laid down) that lasted for FOUR WEEKS. The doctor had no idea what it was. I was in agony if I stood or sat up. I went to a neurologist – he had no idea what it was. I had an MRI – nothing.
I’m going to the allergist next week – hopefully he can figure this out.
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