headache

What is the link between intermittent fasting and headaches?

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Some people undertaking intermittent fasting may experience headaches. This can be due to several factors, such as hypoglycemia, dehydration, and caffeine withdrawal.

Intermittent fasting is an eating method that a person may adopt for religious, dietary, or health reasons. It involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting.

Intermittent fasting may provide some health benefits, such as weight loss and decreased risk of certain diseases. However, fasting may not be suitable for all people, and some individuals may experience side effects, such as headaches.

Can intermittent fasting result in headaches?

Design by MNT; Photography by Blasius Erlinger/Getty Images & MirageC/Getty Images

People doing intermittent fasting may experience headaches. The results of a small 2023 study suggest that roughly 61%Trusted Source of individuals experience headaches while on an intermittent fast.

Secondary headaches refer to headaches that people can trace back to a specific cause. Common triggers of secondary headaches are changes to homeostasis. This term describes the internal system that helps regulate bodily functions.

As such, intermittent fasting can disturb homeostasis and result in headaches.

However, not everyone will experience headaches. Factors such as individual differences, fasting methods, and a person’s overall health may play a part in whether someone will have a headache during an intermittent fast.

Fasting headache symptoms

Older research suggests that fasting headaches either occur in the frontal region, meaning a person feels the pain at the front of their head, or are diffuse, meaning the pain spreads. Usually, a fasting headache may also be non-pulsating and of mild or moderate intensity.

In addition to a headache, a person undertaking intermittent fasting may also experience feelings of dizziness and weakness.

Causes

There are several potential reasons why a person may experience a headache while fasting intermittently. These may include:

  • Hypoglycemia: Some people may experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels, duringTrusted Source periods of fasting. When blood sugar levels fall too low, a person may experience symptoms such as a headache.
  • Caffeine withdrawal: Many people rely on caffeine to stay alert or focused. During fasting, a person may reduce or eliminate their caffeine consumption. This can cause withdrawal symptomsTrusted Source, such as headaches.
  • Dehydration: Dehydration occurs when a person does not consume enough fluids. Headaches are a commonTrusted Source symptom of dehydration. When a person is undergoing an intermittent fast, the lack of regular meals may mean a person is not consuming enough fluids.
  • Stress and anxiety: Fasting can causeTrusted Source a person’s cortisol levels to increase. Cortisol is a hormone that can rise in response to feelings of stress and anxiety. Other research suggests a relationship between stress and the occurrence of headaches.

Prevention tips

For people undertaking intermittent fasting, there are a few precautionary steps they can take to avoid having a headache. These may include:

  • Gradually transitioning: If a person is new to intermittent fasting, they may want to startTrusted Source with short periods and gradually increase their fasting duration. This may help the body adapt without triggering headaches.
  • Staying hydrated: It is important to be mindful of water consumption during the fasting period. A person can consume a variety of beverages, such as herbal teas and water with electrolyte supplements.
  • Monitoring blood sugar levels: Experts advise watching for symptoms of hypoglycemia. These can includeTrusted Source shakiness, dizziness, and sweating. Having a small snack or sugary beverage may help return glucose levels to a healthy range. However, it is best to consult a doctor about managing blood sugar levels.
  • Managing stress: Incorporating stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga, can help manage stress during fasting.
  • Moderating caffeine intake: If planning to eliminate caffeine during fasting, a person can try to gradually reduce their caffeine intake to minimize withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches.

If a person experiences severe or persistent headaches when fasting, it is best to consult a healthcare professional. They will be able to provide personalized guidance and ensure there are no underlying health issues causing the headaches.

Other possible side effects of intermittent fasting

As well as headaches, there are several other side effects that a person may experience while intermittent fasting. These may include:

  • Cravings: Research suggestsTrusted Source that short-term food deprivation, such as fasting, can increase food cravings.
  • Digestive changes: If a person’s body is not familiar with fasting, they may experience digestive discomfort, such as a stomachache or constipation. Additionally, individuals with preexisting digestive conditions may experience an exacerbationTrusted Source of symptoms.
  • Irritability and fatigue: Short-term fasting may causeTrusted Source a person to experience low mood, fatigue, and irritability.
  • Bad breath: During periods of fasting, a person may experience bad breath, which is also known as halitosis. Maintaining good oral hygiene and drinking plenty of water can help address this issue.
  • Sleep issues: Research is inconclusiveTrusted Source on whether intermittent fasting affects sleep. Anecdotal evidence suggests some people may experience disturbed sleep while fasting.
  • Malnutrition: Extended and unbalanced fasting can lead to malnutrition. It is important to ensure that during periods of eating, a person is consuming essential nutrients.

Additionally, it is important to consider that intermittent fasting may not suit all individuals. For example, experts advise not fasting if a person is ill or living with certain health conditions, such as diabetes.

Summary

Intermittent fasting is a dietary approach with various potential health benefits, but it can sometimes lead to headaches and other side effects.

To help prevent fasting headaches, it is essential to maintain proper hydration, manage blood sugar levels, and manage stress effectively. Gradually transitioning into fasting and consulting healthcare professionals as necessary can also make fasting more comfortable, particularly for individuals with preexisting health conditions.

While fasting headaches are common, many people may be able to fast intermittently with minimal side effects. However, a person should listen to their body and make adjustments as necessary to find the fasting routine that works best for them.

Do you get rain pain? Weather-related aches really do alter people’s lives

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A Chronic pain is bad enough on a normal day, but crummy weather can make already achy joints and hips that much more painful. Tied to changes in the barometric pressure resulting from storms, the cold, and dreary forecasts, pain-based weather is a significant concern on a day-to-day basis for millions of people. Now, researchers from the University of Georgia report that roughly 70 percent of respondents in a recent poll would change their daily behavior based solely on weather-based pain forecasts.

“We’re finding more consistent relationships between weather patterns and pain, so it seems more possible to make weather-based pain forecasts,” says lead study author and geography/atmospheric sciences lecturer Christopher Elcik in a media release. “This study was to survey and see what the audience was for this type of forecast.”

In all, researchers surveyed over 4,600 people. Among respondents who identified as migraine sufferers, 89 percent pointed to weather as something that impacts their pain level, and another 79 percent cited weather as a trigger for their pain. Meanwhile, among respondents with other conditions, 64 percent also said weather patterns could trigger pain and an astounding 94 percent identified weather as an influential pain factor.

This latest report builds on previous research that focused on specific weather patterns and pain-related conditions in an attempt to measure public interest in a weather-based pain forecast, as that may be indicative of high or moderate risk for migraines or chronic pain.

“I see how much people can be affected by these types of pain, so if I can provide someone with insight into the level of risk for a day, maybe people can take steps to prevent the pain from happening,” Elcik comments. “There are preventative measures people can take if risks are higher.”

Man suffers leg injury or cramp while running

Hypothetically, if the risk of weather-related pain were high, more than half of respondents said they were likely to take preventive measures (medication, rest, avoiding compounding triggers). Another 47 percent with migraines and 46 percent of those with pain-related conditions were also “extremely likely” to take the same measures.

Notably, desire for a forecasting tool was very high; 72 percent of those living with migraines and 66 percent with pain-related conditions said they would alter their behavior by canceling plans or taking preventive measures in the event of a weather-based pain forecast. Some respondents even said they already use online tools to predict weather-related pain.

One example is AccuWeather’s arthritis or migraine forecast, which predicts low-to-high pain risk according to atmospheric conditions. These existing tools, however, offer few details regarding the variables considered or how the predictions are actually produced.

A person’s likelihood to continue with plans also depended heavily on the length of the activity in question. If plans were roughly 30 minutes long, 57 percent of respondents with migraines and 52 percent of those with pain-related conditions said they would be “extremely likely” to continue plans even if there were a moderate risk of pain. About 43 percent from each group said they would continue even with the highest risk forecast.

Older man battling shoulder pain, back pain, arthritis

When it came to an activity lasting more than three hours, on the other hand, that number declined to roughly 23 percent for moderate risk and 18 percent for high risk among those with migraines. For people living with other pain-related conditions, 23 percent would follow through with a three hour plus activity in the face of a moderate risk of weather pain and 21 percent would continue despite the highest risk. Generally speaking, as the level of risk increased, so did the likelihood to alter plans.

“This was across the board,” Elcik notes. “Everyone was more likely to cancel plans if the forecast risk was higher.”

While additional research and studies are necessary in order to create a reliable pain-based weather forecast, Elcik believes this study highlights the urgent importance of developing such a resource.

“This publication shows there’s an audience that’s willing and eager to try something new, and there are probably many more people who would benefit—more than we even thought,” the researcher concludes. “I think these results can push other researchers to also look at similar, larger-scale weather phenomena and help the community better understand how the atmosphere does impact pain.”

What to know about cyclic migraine

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Cyclic migraine is when a person only experiences migraine symptoms during certain periods or cycles. They do not have migraine episodes outside these periods.

Migraine is a condition that involves experiencing headaches or episodes with specific characteristics. Migraine symptoms include throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of a person’s head. They can be very painful and interfere with a person’s daily activities.

With cyclic migraine, people experience migraine symptoms in cycles. They may have symptoms that occur daily for a few weeks before being symptom-free for weeks or months at a time. Some treatments may help with cyclic migraine.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and triggers of cyclic migraine. It also discusses a person’s risk factors and how doctors diagnose and treat the condition.

What are the symptoms of cyclic migraine?

Alexander Kalinin/Stocksy

CommonTrusted Source migraine symptoms include:

  • moderate or severe pain that throbs and pulsates on one side of a person’s head
  • sensitivity to:
  • nausea and vomiting

People with cyclic migraine have symptoms during recurring periods. They have symptoms of migraine episodes that occur in patterns similar to cluster headaches.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), people may experience other symptoms before a migraine, including:

The NHS also discusses how people may also have warning signs, called auras, just before they have a migraine. These signs can include:

  • issues with sight, such as seeing:
    • flashing lights
    • zig-zag lines
  • dizziness
  • difficulty speaking

People with different kinds of migraine may have different symptoms. People with cyclic migraine usually have 10 or more episodes of migraine symptoms every month. These episodes occur daily or almost daily for several weeks. They then ease off for a few weeks or months at a time.

What causes cyclic migraine?

Scientists do not understandTrusted Source exactly why people get migraine.

Most scientists believe that abnormal changes in a person’s brain cause it to become inflamed. This inflammation causesTrusted Source the activation of nerves and the release of neurochemicals, including serotonin and CGRP, which mediate pain. Migraine may also have a genetic cause.

At present, there is little scientific research into the causes of cyclic migraine specifically.

What can trigger cyclic migraine?

Several factors or events may trigger a migraine. These triggers can vary from person to person, and they may not always lead to migraine.

Multiple triggers together are more likelyTrusted Source to cause a person to have migraine. Some possible triggers include:

  • sleep disturbances
  • hormonal changes during a person’s menstrual cycle
  • missed meals
  • bright lights
  • loud noises
  • strong smells
  • stress
  • anxiety
  • relaxation after stress
  • changes in weather
  • alcohol, often red wine
  • excess caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
  • foods containing:
    • nitrates, compounds added to meats as preservatives or naturally occurring in several vegetables
    • monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer
    • tyramine, a naturally occurring substance present in certain foods
    • aspartame, an artificial sweetener

However, scientists have not published recent research into cyclic migraine triggers.

Read more about migraine triggers.

What are the risk factors for cyclic migraine?

Although scientists do not yet know what causes migraine, there are some common riskTrusted Source factors for the condition. Migraine is more common among females and people between the ages of 15 and 55 years. Migraine may often become less severe and less frequent as a person gets older.

People are more likely to have migraine if they have a close family member who has the condition. There is little formal research into the specific risk factors for cyclic migraine.

How do doctors diagnose cyclic migraine?

Doctors diagnose migraine using the following strategiesTrusted Source:

  • asking a person about:
    • their medical history
    • their migraine symptoms and location
    • how often they have migraine pain
    • how long have they had migraine pain for
    • whether their migraine pain occurs at any time of day
    • whether their migraine episodes have changed over time
    • any possible migraine triggers
    • any medication they take for it and how often
    • whether their migraine episodes seem related to sleep
    • any other symptoms
  • performing a physical examination
  • using imaging scans to rule out other conditions, under certain circumstances

For cyclic migraine, doctors would diagnose a person based on the frequency and patterns of their migraine.

What are the treatments for cyclic migraine?

There is little formal guidance on treatments for cyclic migraine specifically.

Older sources claim treatments for cyclic migraine include lithium. More current sources also state that lithium may help people with cyclic migraine. However, people taking this medication need careful professional monitoring of their blood level and thyroid function.

Other treatments for cyclic migraine may include some or all standard migraine treatments. These includeTrusted Source:

  • preventive medication to stop migraine episodes from occurring
  • acute medication to relieve migraine symptoms
  • steps to ease symptoms at home, such as:
    • resting with closed eyes in a quiet, darkened room
    • drinking lots of fluids, particularly when a person is also vomiting
    • placing a cool cloth or ice pack on a person’s forehead

Read more about migraine treatments.

Summary

People with cyclic migraine have migraine symptoms that occur in periods of weeks or months at a time. Outside of these cycles, they do not have migraine.

There is little recent formal research into cyclic migraine. Treatments and diagnosis methods for migraine may help people with cyclic migraine.

“No, actually it is not a headache”

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“If I can cure your migraine, I’m going to get the Nobel Prize—that is how big that is”, says Allan Purdy, Professor of Neurology at Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS, Canada). Purdy is one of many headache experts who feature in the documentary Out of my Head, written and directed by Susanna Styron, who was compelled to make a film about migraine for and with her daughter Emma. “Who I am when I am having a migraine is different”, Emma says, feeling “betrayed by [her] body” as her migraine manifests as partial blindness. Reading from her treatise on migraine, In Bed, journalist and author Joan Didion’s explains how she becomes insensible to the world around her: this is “not just a headache [but] something that would totally brutalise you”. Joining Didion in the film, a group of individuals talk openly about stigma, misconception, isolation, and intense pain that can accompany migraine.
This film couldn’t be any more personal, articulate, and informative, but can it hit its target of changing cultural and social attitudes so that migraine is taken more seriously? Ultimately, without experiencing a migraine oneself, can one really get inside the head of someone who is?
“Migraine is a neurological disorder, not a terrible, disabling headache”, David Dodick from the Mayo Clinic (Arizona, USA) tells the viewer. In fact, headache, or the accompanying pain, is just one clinical manifestation deriving from a sensory processing disturbance affecting the nervous system. Migraine will often start with a sensory warning—the feeling is unique to each person, perhaps hypersensitivity to smell, sound, or light. Didion says she feels a flush of blood into the cerebral arteries.
“There are days I don’t see anything except for shapes”, says Billie who lost her health insurance when she lost her job because of migraine. Auras of this type are experienced by almost a third of people with migraine (and can be experienced without pain); aphasia, or a dysphasic language dysfunction, is also a common example of migraine aura, and a clip of newsreader Serene Branson’s incoherent, and infamous, live broadcast in 2011 as she has an on-air migraine attack is unwittingly a perfect demonstration of the phenomenon.
To explore the burden of migraine, Out of my Head uses production techniques to weave a visual tapestry of narrative to complement personal and professional testimonies. Some scenes are played out in animation or explained in infographics, a collection of drawings evoke a language of pain, and conventional but uniformly understood film clips of storm-filled skies and lightning bolts all work together to illustrate the debilitating effects of migraine. At times, distortions and contortions of the film’s images and sounds act as visual and sonic metaphors for the turmoil—for example, vision impaired by a “spinning kaleidoscope”—that a migraine wreaks on everyday life.
These production effects add to the tension in the film, reflecting and articulating a struggle to vocalise pain, something so subjective that it can reinforce a stigma, accompanied by a lack of empathy, and even ridicule from family, peers, employers, and teachers.
Out of my Head is ambitious. It wants to help the viewer to understand this complex disorder. Stigmatisation is an ongoing challenge for those whose lives are seriously impeded by migraine and for the future of migraine research. To emphasise this point, the documentary features a raft of people, some well known public figures, who are different demographically—the disorder does not discriminate, but they face discrimination because migraine is so misunderstood. Cultural representations in television or advertising reveal an ingrained stereotype of migraine misery: white middle-class women lying down with their arm raised across their face, hand pressed against their head, indicating nervous temperament rather than pathophysiological illness, and suggesting that migraine is more of a so-called lifestyle disorder than a neurological one.
The documentary also explores a rarely talked about creative, spiritual element of migraine: “Athena is born out of Zeus’s head…[suggesting] the idea of knowledge being born from pain”, Emma explains. The viewer learns of Hildegard of Bingen’s visions, her spiritual epiphany now speculated to be a migraine state. The viewer is also reminded of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland; the many hallucinations, moments of aphasia, and falling down a hole possibly inspired by his migraine aura.
It is speculated that migraines might have influenced many a masterpiece, including artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings of her headaches and the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson after six weeks of headaches. Highly revered Indian choreographer Shiamak Davar says that migraine has made his work better, although he does acknowledge that this hasn’t happened for everyone: “I don’t want to glamorise it”, he says. And indeed, there is nothing glamorous about wanting to bang your head against a wall, or being barely able to stand inhabiting in your own body, or to have what is known as “compassion fatigue” because your partner has gone into a dark room for days again. The whole family is affected by migraine. Styron knows that. So does Isiah Lineberry, who turned to activism to help people like his wife Sheila who was overwhelmed by a fear of dying from her migraine attacks.

3-Day Headache: What’s the Cause?

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Patient presentation
A 21-year-old Asian female presents with a 3-day history of acute-onset headache. Acetaminophen is not providing any relief. The patient is an otherwise healthy college student and does not have underlying disease or a significant family history. She reports that she experienced fatigue and low-grade fevers for 2 months prior to headache onset. She has no history of arm or leg claudication and denies weakness, numbness, blurry vision, nausea, stiff neck, or other associated symptoms. She does not use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs.
Examination and imaging:

  • Blood pressure 190/105 in right arm and 110/65 in left arm
  • Left brachial and radial pulses barely palpable
  • Normal neurological examination
  • Labs remarkable for high ESR (65 mm/hr)
  • CT angiography of the aorta ordered
Explanation:

Takayasu arteritis is a large-vessel vasculitis that primarily affects the aorta and its major branches. It occurs most commonly in young females, especially those of Asian descent. Patients typically present with constitutional symptoms associated with inflammation, e.g., low-grade fever, fatigue, arthralgia, and weight loss. Obstruction of the aortic branches may lead to other signs/symptoms, including limb claudication, decreased peripheral pulses or unequal blood pressure between arms, abdominal pain (due to an obstructed mesenteric artery), and hypertension (due to an obstructed renal artery). Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of treatment.
Takayasu arteritis has a classic radiographic appearance on computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), showing long-segment stenosis or occlusion of the aorta and its major branches at the aortic origins. These radiographic characteristics can confirm the diagnosis. Biopsy is rarely needed.
In this case, there is occlusion of the left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery at their aortic origin, as well as stenosis of the left renal artery.

How to Get Rid of a Headache in 5 Minutes Without Pills

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We often get a headache either due to excessive stress or overworking. A lot of us are used to reaching out for pills when we get a headache. However, doctors have stated that consuming these pills too often can have a harmful effect on our body. As a matter of fact, consuming any medicine too often is bad for our body and may have a reverse effect too.

Doctors, over a period of time, have found a healthier alternative to these headache pills and it’s called acupressure. The best part is, they do not have a side effect. So to find out how to get rid of headaches in a more natural way or in times when you don’t have a pill handy, continue reading.

Acupressure is a form of alternative therapy in which manual pressure is used to stimulate specific points on the body along what are considered to be lines of energy. Massaging the right points can help you get relief from headaches. These hardly take 30 seconds to 1 minute and show a result as quick as 5-10 minutes. Here are the 6 pressure points which can help you get rid of those annoying headaches.

Yintang Point:

yintang point

This point is situated between both your brows and the passage that connects the bridge of your nose to the forehead. It is also called the ‘third eye area’. This pressure point is also responsible for the removal of eye fatigue.

Zan Zhu Point:

zan zhu points

Placed in the inner edges o the eyebrow, this pressure point is responsible for eliminating runny noses and headaches. Massaging this pressure point in a circular motion for 1 minute can give ideal results. It also helps in reducing red eyes and sinus aches.

Yingxiang Point:

yingxiang point

These points are basically located on you dimples of your cheekbones. Along with helping getting rid of a headache, it also helps in Opening the nasal passages, expels Wind and clears Heat. It is the most important point for issues related to the nose.

Tian Zhu Point:

tian zhu points

These points are situated at the back of your head, precisely at the starting of your spinal cord. This point is best known for removing pain in areas like eyes and head. It also helps in relieving nasal congestions and heaviness of head.

Shuai Gu Point:

shuai gu points

It is located 1 cm superior to ear apex. It is often used for treating Migraine, one-sided or unilateral headaches and associated nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances. The lesser known fact is that it also helps in treating hangovers and intoxications.

He Gu Point:

he gu points

He Gu is located on the highest spot of the muscle when the thumb and index fingers are brought close together. It is clinically used for treating headaches, stress, toothaches, and neck pain.

Low-Dose Propofol Safe for Headache

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Hardly a shift goes by where I don’t see one or more patients complaining of headache. All too often these patients are no strangers to the ED; they’ve been seen multiple times for similar complaints.

Depending on who saw them previously, they may have been sent for yet another CT or even admitted for status migrainosus or further neurological evaluation. They invariably receive the standard headache cocktail that has permeated emergency medicine practice—an á la carte menu of a neuroleptic agent (prochlorperazine or metoclopramide top the list), ketorolac, diphenhydramine, and dexamethasone. That’s not without good reason—compelling data suggest that these agents are particularly effective in the emergency setting and even reduce headache recurrence. (Neurology 2017;89[20]:2075.)

But sometimes I just hate it. Don’t get me wrong; for many patients, maybe even most, the “headache cocktail” is a safe and effective option. But I find with increasing frequency that this witch’s brew does little more than sedate the patient for a few hours, and it may or may not address the underlying complaint. Sure, we get them discharged, but only after two long hours in a Compazine-induced haze, and the bed sits full while we wait.

There may be a better way for some patients. A growing body of literature and clinical experience has suggested low-dose propofol therapy as a safe and rapidly effective intervention for patients presenting with primary headache to the emergency department. Some hospital regulations may restrict the use of propofol or require more significant resource utilization when it’s used, but the practice is similar in many ways to the use of analgesic doses of ketamine, a practice that has become nearly routine in many EDs throughout the country.

Resolution of Symptoms

When propofol is administered until relief of pain, more than 80 percent of patients report complete resolution of symptoms, and they do so in a fraction of the time we’ve come to expect with traditional therapy. (Headache 2000;40[3]:224.)

I started using this strategy a few years ago. It’s not something I move to in every migraineur, and there’s likely a subset of patients more likely to benefit, as well as those in whom the standard antipsychotic approach probably offers a necessary secondary effect. I’ve encountered some administrative and nursing resistance, all of which has reliably evaporated once they’ve seen the therapy in action. I typically administer 10 mg IV every minute or so, monitoring the patient’s report of pain severity. Once the numbers begin to fall, I know that I’ve “broken” the headache. I have had nearly uniform response between 10-50 mg of medication.

Most patients experience mild drowsiness at most, and in my experience, as well as that seen in multiple retrospective analyses and randomized trials, there have been no adverse events. (BMC Neurology 2012;12[1]:114.) Following it with a dose of acetaminophen and an admonition to seek appropriate follow-up care, I’ve seen visit times fall and patient satisfaction rise, and I’ve yet to see the Diprivan-seeking bounceback patient about whom some skeptical colleagues warned me.

Once, after a particularly grueling set of night shifts, I awoke later in the afternoon to an email from a patient who described her long history of debilitating headaches that had seemed refractory to everything that had been thrown her way. Several weeks after I had treated her in the ED with low-dose propofol therapy, she was still headache-free, and, in fact, she reported that she was returning to work for the first time in years. It’s an anecdote, of course, but it’s true, and it made me proud to be an emergency physician and have the opportunity to bring cutting-edge care to the bedsides of my patients.

We emergency physicians are tasked with the dual roles of excluding life-threatening pathology while rendering effective pain relief and symptomatic care. Familiarity with a broad range of techniques for every complaint allows us to be safety-conscious and evidence-based while permitting the flexibility to provide individualized patient care. Low-dose propofol represents a safe, rapid, and effective addition to our armamentarium in treating patients with primary headache complaints in the emergency department.

How to Get Rid of a Headache in 5 Minutes Without Pills

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When you have a headache and the pill you need isn’t at hand, the situation seems hopeless. But it isn’t so. There’s a scientific way to get rid of a headache called acupressure.

Today Bright Side will tell you about this technique which removes a headache effectively and quickly.

Acupressure is a kind of massage, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by numerous scientific studies. By its nature, it’s a form of acupuncture and reflexotherapy, but it doesn’t require special medical knowledge.

How to massage acupressure points

First, take a comfortable position and relax. The massage doesn’t take much time: from 30 seconds to 1 minute on average.

Massage a point with light pressing or circular movements. Usually, the headache disappears during the massage or 5-10 minutes after it.

There are 6 main points to get rid of a headache

The point of the third eye, or Yintang, is situated between the eyebrows in the place where the bridge of the nose passes into the forehead. This point is also responsible for eye fatigue removal.

These symmetrical points are located at the base of the inner edge of the eyebrows. Massage of this area also relieves a runny nose and improves visual acuity. Massage for 1 minute by pressing or circular movements.

These points are located on both sides of the nostrils in line with the eyes. To find them, feel a dimple in the bottom of the cheekbones. It helps to open sinuses, reduce headache and toothache, and relieve stress.

The points are located in the back of the head in the middle, between the ear and the beginning of the spine. Massaging these points helps to relieve nasal congestion, pain in the eyes and ears, severe headache, and migraine.

The Shuai gu points are situated 2-3 cm from the beginning of the hairline in the temple area. Feel a small dimple to find this point. Pressure applied to this area relieves pain in the temporal region and eye fatigue.

These symmetrical points are located on the back of the hand between the thumb and forefinger. Pressure applied to this area also relieves back pain, toothache, and tension in the neck muscles.

Source:https://brightside.me

16 Natural Ways To Get Rid of a Headache Fast

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There are many different things that can cause headaches: Abrupt changes in your diet or an everyday schedule like getting too much or too little sleep, stress, long working hours, skipping a meal, or from using the computer for a long time without taking breaks. Headache can cause unbearable pain along with nausea, and at times vomiting. Many people don’t realize that the most common cause of a headache is dehydration. There are many over the counter medicines available in the market to get rid of headache, but all of them have potential side effects, disrupt gut bacteria and can cause other health problems. Instead of relying on quick fixes through drugs, try some of these natural remedies which are proven effective for even some of the worst headaches including tension, cluster and migraines.

chronic headache syndrome

1. Water

Headaches aren’t unhealthy by themselves, headaches are a sign that tell us that something is wrong, however our body does not always give straight and clear signals that tell us how to behave. When our body is dehydrating, we don’t always feel thirsty, and most often headaches is your body telling you to hydrate. Most adults require anywhere between two to five litres a day depending on their height and weight and depending on the type of lifestyle they have.

If the reason behind the headache is dehydration, then you can easily get relief from the pain by drinking large amount of water. Water is very effective home remedy for headaches. Simply drink a glass of clean, filtered water at the first sign of headache and continue taking small sips throughout the day. Once your body gets hydrated the pain will automatically start to ease. When suffering from a headache, it is advisable to stay away from any kind of drinks that can dehydrate your body, especially caffeinated.

2. Massage Scalp, Neck and Ear Lobes

Doing some light massage can distract you from the pain, as well as improving circulation and relieving tension. For a basic massage, gently press your fingers over your temples, and move them in slow circles. Or, try these more advanced techniques:

  • Do a scalp massage. Hop in the shower and treat yourself to a long scalp massage as you shampoo your hair. Or, for a drier version, pour a little bit of coconut or argan oil on your fingers and rub into your scalp.
  • Find two tennis or racquet balls and put them in a sock. Lie on a flat surface and place the two balls just below the base of your skull, on the occipital bone, and relax. You may feel sinus pressure or minimal discomfort at first but it will go away. This is especially helpful for sinus headaches.
  • Have someone else massage your neck and back if possible. The simple touch of someone else who cares about you can relieve a lot of tension instantly. Have them focus on the occipital region as well.
  • Gently massaging the bridge of your nose can help relieve sinus and migraine headaches.
  • Massage the soft part of your hand in between your index finger and thumb. Nerves in that spot allow your blood vessels in your forehead to constrict.
  • Firmly massage the acupressure point on each hand where the thumb and index finger bones meet (second metacarpal bone). It’s best if somebody does this for you, so both hands can be massaged simultaneously, but if that’s not possible, massage one hand for five minutes, then massage the other hand.

3. Ice Pack

Using an ice pack to apply cold compress over the forehead can give quick relief from headaches. To apply cold compress you can also apply a cold cloth on your head and temples for ten minutes and again repeat the process after some time until you get some relief. A bag of frozen vegetables can also serve as an icepack. When cold compresses are placed over the forehead, it numbs the pain and helps the blood vessels to shrink and improves the blood circulation, thus giving relief from the pain. This particular remedy works when the headache is due to stress or sinus.

4. Practice Relaxation Techniques.

People around the world use a variety of tricks to distract themselves from pain. If you’re in the midst of a headache, don’t worry about learning something new — stick to whatever is closest to your comfort zone. (You can always read up on different meditation techniques later, when you feel better.) Some popular options include:

  • Meditation.
  • Prayer.
  • Deep breathing.
  • Visualization.
  • Listening to binaural beats
  • Try to just calm down. If you can fall asleep, that might help.

5. Hot Water

Applying heat on the back of your neck with the help of a hot water bag can give you relief from headache caused due to stress. When heat is applied it relaxes the tense muscles thus giving relief from the throbbing pain. Along with a hot water bag, you can also take a hot shower. Another option is fill a tub with bearable hot water and then put your hands in it for ten to fifteen minutes. When you do this, blood circulation improves and thus giving your relief from the headache. For those suffering from chronic headache, must keep their legs dipped in a bucket filled with hot water for ten minutes before going to bed.

6. Lemon

Lemon is very effective and powerful ingredient to treat headache pain. When you drink warm water mixed with some lemon juice, it reduces the intensity of a headache. This particular home remedy is beneficial when headache is caused due to gas in the stomach. Another option is apply lemon crust paste on the forehead to get immediate relief from the pain. At the same time you may also drink a steaming cup of lemon tea three to four times a day when suffering from headache.

7. Feverfew

Can be taken in capsule or tablet form, as a tea, or even eaten in a sandwich (it tastes bitter). There is mixed evidence to support the effectiveness of feverfew but it has been relied upon for centuries, so it might be worth trying. There are no serious side effects, although you might experience a sore tongue, mouth ulcers, or nausea, digestive problems and bloating. Coming off long-term use of feverfew can disrupt sleep and actually cause headaches.

8. Betel Leaves

Betel leaves are known for their analgesic as well as cooling properties which can hugely help to get rid of a headache effectively within a few minutes. For this remedy, you need to take two to three fresh betel leaves and with the help of a grinder make a fine paste out of it. Now apply this paste on the forehead and both sides of the head for half an hour. Soon you will get relief from the intense pain. At the same time you can also chew one or two betel leaves to treat headache.

9. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy preparations vary considerably but some of the more commonly used essential oils for headache treatment include lavender, sweet marjoram, and chamomile. Use for neck massaging, in a bath, or to inhale. Mix five drops rosemary oil, five drops nutmeg oil, five drops lavender oil in a carrier oil. Massage on the neck and upper back area.

10. Ginger

Ginger has got anti-inflammatory properties that can help in easing headache pain. At the same ginger helps in relaxing the blood vessels in the head and reduces swelling in the brain and activates natural opiates in the brain which helps in lessening the pain associated with tension headache. When having a headache, you must drink ginger tea three to four times a day to reduce inflammation in the body. However, it is important to take ginger tea at the very beginning of a headache. This will help the ginger to act quickly and lessen the headache.

11. Apple

When you wake up in the morning with a headache, you must eat a piece of apple by applying some salt to it and then drink some warm. Soon you will be able to get rid of persisting headache. Along with apple, you can also use apple cider vinegar to treat headache. Fill a large bowl with steaming hot water and add three to four tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into it. Now place a towel over your head and take the steam for ten to fifteen minutes. Another option is to add some apple cider vinegar to a glass full of water and drink it two to three times a day to alleviate headache.

12. Almonds

Almonds contain pain-relieving chemicals that may reduce your headache symptoms in as little as 10-15 minutes. A handful of almonds is always a handy natural substitute for any over the counter quickie.

13. Cayenne pepper

Another endorphin stimulant, cayenne will help to alleviate your headache. Both consumption and topical applications are know to cure some of the worst headaches. Sweet Relief Cream is one type of topical application that works very well, especially when combined with DMSO.

14. Peppermint

Peppermint has got calming and soothing properties that can help in the treatment of headaches. You can make herbal tea by adding one teaspoon of dried peppermint herb in a cup of hot boiling water. Cover and allow it to steep for ten minutes, then strain it and add some honey to sweeten it before sipping it slowly. You can also use peppermint oil to gently massage the temples, jaws and the back of your neck. This will give you instant relief from the pain. In addition, inhaling the soothing aroma of peppermint steam can ease the symptoms associated with headache such as vomiting.

Magnetic resonance angiography of intracranial and extracranial arteries in patients with spontaneous migraine without aura: a cross-sectional study.

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Summary

Background

Extracranial arterial dilatation has been hypothesised to be the cause of pain in patients who have migraine without aura. To test that hypothesis, we aimed to measure extracranial and intracranial arteries during attacks of migraine without aura.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited patients aged 18–60 years from the Danish Headache Centre and via announcements on a Danish website. We did magnetic resonance angiography during spontaneous unilateral migraine attacks. Primary endpoints were difference in circumference of extracranial and intracranial arterial segments comparing attack and attack-free days and the pain and the non-pain side. The extracranial arterial segments measured were the external carotid (ECA), the superficial temporal (STA), the middle meningeal (MMA), and the cervical part of the internal carotid (ICAcervical) arteries. The intracranial arterial segments were the cavernous (ICAcavernous) and cerebral (ICAcerebral) parts of the internal carotid, the middle cerebral (MCA), and the basilar (BA) arteries. This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, numberNCT01471314.

Findings

Between Oct 12, 2010, and Feb 8, 2012, we recruited 78 patients, of whom 19 women had a scan during migraine and were included in the final analysis. On migraine compared with non-migraine days, we detected no statistically significant dilatation of the extracranial arteries on the pain side (ECA, mean difference 1·2% [95% CI −5·7 to 8·2] p=0·985, STA 3·6% [–3·7 to 11·0] p=0·532, MMA 1·7% [–1·7 to 5·2] p=0·341, and ICAcervical 2·3% [–0·3 to 4·9] p=0·093); the intracranial arteries were more dilated during attacks (MCA, 13·0% [6·4 to 19·6] p=0·001, ICAcerebral 11·5% [5·6 to 17·3] p=0·0004, and ICAcavernous 11·4% [5·3 to 17·5] p=0·001), except for the BA (1·6% [–2·7 to 5·9] p=0·621). Compared with the non-pain side, during attacks we detected dilatation on the pain side of the intracranial arteries (MCA, mean difference 10·5% [0·7–20·3] p=0·044, ICAcerebral (14·4% [4·6–24·1] p=0·013), and ICAcavernous (9·1% [3·9–14·4] p=0·003) but not of the extracranial arteries (ECA, 2·1% [–3·8 to 9·2] p=0·238, STA, 3·6% [–3·7 to 10·8] p=0·525, MMA, 2·7% [–1·3 to 5·6] p=0·531, and ICAcervical, 5·0% [–0·5 to 10·4] p=0·119).

Interpretation

Migraine pain was not accompanied by extracranial arterial dilatation, and by only slight intracranial dilatation. Future migraine research should focus on the peripheral and central pain pathways rather than simple arterial dilatation.

Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com