Headache

Headache is pain in any region of the head. Headaches may occur on one or both sides of the head, be isolated to a certain location, radiate across the head from one point, or have a vise-like quality. A headache may be a sharp pain, throbbing sensation or dull ache. Headaches may appear gradually or suddenly, and they may last less than an hour or for several days.

Causes
Your headache symptoms can help your doctor determine the cause and the appropriate treatment. Most headaches aren't the result of a serious illness, but some may result from a life-threatening condition requiring emergency care.

Headaches are generally classified by cause:

Primary headaches
A primary headache is caused by problems with or overactivity of pain-sensitive structures in your head. A primary headache isn't a symptom of an underlying disease. Chemical activity in your brain, the nerves or blood vessels of your head outside your skull, or muscles of your head and neck — or some combination of these factors — may play a role in primary headaches. Some people may carry genes that make them more likely to develop such headaches.

The most common primary headaches are:

Cluster headache
Migraine (with and without aura)
Tension headache (medically known as tension-type headache)
Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), including cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicrania
There are other headache patterns that are generally considered types of primary headache but are less common. These headaches have distinct features, such as an unusual duration or pain associated with a certain activity. Although these headaches are generally considered primary, each of them could be a symptom of an underlying disease. These headaches include:

Chronic daily headaches
Cough headaches
Exercise headaches
Sex headaches
Some primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors, including:

Alcohol, particularly red wine
Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates
Changes in sleep or lack of sleep
Poor posture
Skipped meals
Stress

Secondary headaches
A secondary headache is a symptom of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. Any number of conditions — varying greatly in severity — may cause secondary headaches. Sources of secondary headaches include:

Acute sinusitis
Arterial tears (carotid or vertebral dissections)
Blood clot (venous thrombosis) within the brain — separate from stroke
Brain aneurysm (a bulge in an artery in your brain)
Brain AVM (an abnormal formation of brain blood vessels)
(both cancerous and noncancerous)
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Chiari malformation (structural problem at the base of your skull)
Concussion
Dehydration
Dental problems
Ear infection (middle ear)
Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
Giant cell arteritis (inflammation of the lining of the arteries)
Glaucoma
Hangovers
Influenza (flu)
Intracranial hematoma (blood vessel ruptures in the brain)
Medications to treat other disorders
Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord)
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Overuse of pain medication
Panic attacks and panic disorder
Post-concussion syndrome
Pressure from tight-fitting headgear, such as a helmet or goggles
Pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure inside the skull)
Toxoplasmosis
Trigeminal neuralgia (disruption of the nerve connecting the face and brain)
Specific types of secondary headaches include:

External compression headaches (a result of pressure-causing headgear)
Ice cream headaches (commonly called brain freeze)
Rebound headaches (caused by overuse of pain medication)
Sinus headaches (caused by inflammation and congestion in sinus cavities)
Spinal headaches (caused by low levels of cerebrospinal fluid, possibly the result of trauma, spinal tap or spinal anesthesia)
Thunderclap headaches (a group of disorders that involves sudden, severe headaches).

Solution to headache
Here are ten (10) basic steps to cure headcure without medications

1. Ginger
Ginger can help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, thus providing relief from a headache.
- Mix equal parts of ginger juice and lemon juice. Consume it once or twice a day.
- Another option is to apply a paste of one teaspoon of dry ginger powder, also called sonth, and two tablespoons of water on the forehead for a few minutes.
- You can also boil ginger powder or raw ginger in water, and inhale the vapor.
- Chew one or two pieces of crystallized ginger candy.

2. Mint Juice
Menthol and menthone are the primary components of mint which are very effective in alleviating headaches.

Extract mint juice from a handful of mint leaves and apply it on forehead and temples to treat headache.

You can also place mint tea compresses on the forehead to relieve discomfort. Along with mint juice, corainder juice is also effective in treating headaches.

3. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint contains menthol that helps open up clogged blood vessels that cause headaches. It also has calming and soothing effects.
- Mix three drops of peppermint essential oil in one tablespoon of almond oil, olive oil or just water. Massage your forehead and temples with it. Or, you can put crushed fresh peppermint leaves on your forehead.
- Alternatively, you can prepare a steam treatment by adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a small pot of boiling water. Inhale the steam for a few minutes.

4. Basil
Basil works as a muscle relaxant, making it a helpful treatment for mild headaches caused by tense muscles. Plus, it has calming and analgesic effects.
- Put three or four fresh basil leaves in a cup of boiling water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Optionally, add a little honey and then sip the tea slowly.
- You can also boil one tablespoon of basil leaves or a few drops of basil oil to a pot of boiling water and carefully lean over the pot to take in the steam.
- Alternatively, chew some fresh basil leaves or massage your forehead with basil oil mixed with a base oil.

5. Lavender Oil
Simply smelling the soothing scent of lavender essential oil can be of great help in relieving tension headaches. Research suggests that it can also help improve migraine symptoms.
- Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a tissue and inhale it. You can also add two drops of lavender oil to two cups of boiling water and inhale the steam.
- Another option is to mix two or three drops of lavender essential oil in one tablespoon of carrier oil such as almond oil or olive oil and massage your forehead with it.

Note: Do not take lavender oil orally.

6. Ice Pack
The cold from ice helps reduce inflammation that contributes to headaches. Plus, it has a numbing effect on the pain.
- Applying an ice pack to the back of your neck can give you relief from a migraine headache.
- You can also place a washcloth dipped in ice-cold water over your head for five minutes. Repeat the process several times.
- Alternatively, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables as a cold compress. Within half an hour you will feel some relief.

7. Rosemary

The rosmarinic acid in rosemary oil has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat a headache.
- Simply massage your forehead and temples with a few drops of rosemary oil mixed in a tablespoon of carrier oil.
- Alternatively, make an herbal tea by boiling one teaspoon of crushed rosemary leaves and one teaspoon of crushed sage leaves in a cup of water. Cover it while boiling and then let it steep for 10 minutes. Let the tea cool to room temperature, then drink it. You can have this herbal tea two to three times a day. If both the herbs are not available, you can make the tea with either of the two herbs alone.

Note: Rosemary oil may not be suitable for those suffering from epilepsy or high blood pressure.

8. Cloves

Cloves can be used to ease tension headaches as it has a cooling and pain-relieving properties.
- Crush a few cloves gently and put them in a sachet or a clean handkerchief. Inhale the smell of the crushed cloves whenever you have a headache until you get some relief from the pain.
- Another option is to put two drops of clove oil in a tablespoon of carrier oil and massage your forehead and temples with it.
- You can also mix together two teaspoons of coconut oil, one teaspoon of sea salt and two drops of clove oil and rub this mixture gently on your forehead.

9. Apples

Both apples and apple cider vinegar have attributes that can balance the acid and alkaline levels in the body, giving you relief from headaches.
- Simply eat an apple with some salt.
- You can also add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a full glass of water and drink it.

10. Acupressure

The Joining the Valley (L 14) acupressure point is considered effective for relieving headaches.