Can I Do Anything to Prevent My Headaches?
Some headaches may be a result of an underlying medical condition. These conditions can include neck disorders such as arthritis or degenerative discs. Whiplash injuries from motor vehicle accidents are also a source of headaches. Greater Maryland Pain Management can help you manage these. Here are some things you can do to help prevent headaches:
- Reduce stress. Lowering stress will reduce both tension and migraine headaches. Meditation, massage therapy, and exercise are great ways to reduce stress.
- Exercise. Although strenuous exercise may be a trigger for some people, moderate exercise can reduce not only the frequency of your headaches but the severity as well. Talk with your physician before starting an exercise regimen.
- Stay hydrated. A study conducted in the Netherlands observed that drinking 7 glasses of water a day eased headache pain in frequent sufferers. For tips on staying hydrated, read our hydration blog.
- Avoid junk. What you put in your body affects your headaches. Cut down on junk food and increase fruits, nuts, and whole grains. Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine are also well-known to trigger headaches. Certain fruits have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. We’ve combined a few of these in a refreshing smoothie recipe!
- Reduce pain relievers. It sounds counter-intuitive, but using pain relievers more than a couple of times a week could trigger “rebound headaches.” Greater Maryland Pain Management can offer you alternatives.
- Quit smoking. Believe it or not, smoking worsens the pain and triggers migraines. Read our smoking blog for more information and tips to quit.
We’d love to know if these tips help you. If you have any tips or suggestions of your own, use the comment box below. We are eager to hear them!