HEALTH SPECIAL... HAVE HEADACHE OFTEN?

 HAVE  HEADACHE  OFTEN?

Regularly popping painkillers can make headaches worse, says a new study. So what do you do?

SIT UP STRAIGHT
Slumping in your chair is the worst thing you can do if your head is pounding, says physiotherapists. When we slump forward in a C-shape, we kink the head upwards, which can stretch the neck and pinch nerves, causing headaches. So, sit with your feet flat on the floor, hips and knees straight, looking ahead.
SNACK ON NUTS AND SEEDS
These are a great source of the mineral magnesium, which is thought to act as a muscle relaxant. Depleted levels are linked with reduced blood flow to the brain and low blood sugar, which can trigger headaches. Researchers at the New York Headache Center found that up to 50 per cent of migraine sufferers have low levels of magnesium. Other good sources of magnesium include fresh green leafy vegetables, tomato puree, whole grains, beans, peas, potatoes and oats.
FORGET AIR FRESHENERS
Perfumes, aftershaves, strong-smelling soaps, air fresheners and household cleaners contain chemicals that activate nerve cells in our noses, which send signals to the brain. In some people, these nerve signals are strong enough to cause headaches. Open windows and use chemical-free fresheners, instead. Use a plant spray halffilled with water and two drops of essential oil and spritz around instead, suggests natural health experts.
DON’T HAVE A LIE-IN
Sleeping in for just half an hour can trigger a headache, particularly in coffee addicts. Because caffeine directly affects the blood vessels in the brain, withdrawal or reduction at weekends — exacerbated by low blood sugar due to a later breakfast — can cause pain. If you’re a regular coffee drinker, try to ensure you have your caffeine fix at the same time every day.
WEAR YOUR HAIR DOWN
Fifty out of 93 women experienced a headache from wearing a ponytail, according to research by the National Migraine Centre, London. Plaits, chignons, tight-fitting hats and Alice bands can all also cause headaches if the hair is pulled back tight, straining the connective tissue in the scalp. Apparently, it’s also a common complaint among male Sikhs, who often complain of what’s known as a turban headache. If you have to tie your hair up for work or exercise, try to avoid the so-called Croydon face-lift effect.
DON’T BUY PAINKILLERS WITH MORE ‘POWER’
Avoid painkillers that say ‘plus’ or ‘extra’, advise pharmacists. People choose them because they assume they will work faster, but they simply contain added ingredients like caffeine or codeine that might not be suitable for you. Keep it as your last resort and don’t take them for more than three days.
FOLLOW THE 20/20 RULE
Dharmesh Patel, chairman of the Eyecare Trust, says: “Staring at a computer screen for too long can leave you suffering with headaches, sore or tired eyes and even blurred vision. “So, look up from your screen every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.”
GLUG PLENTY OF WATER
Simply drinking a big glass of water and waiting 10 minutes or rubbing the temples and neck for five minutes to relieve any tension is often sufficient to banish a headache.” In a study published in the European Journal of Neurology, headache sufferers were given a placebo or told to drink an additional 1.5 litres of water a day for 12 weeks. The patients drinking the water dramatically reduced the number of headaches they had been having.
BE CHOOSY ABOUT CHINESE
MSG is a commonly used flavour enhancer extracted from an amino acid that occurs naturally in wheat gluten, seaweed and other produce. It’s used in many foods, from flavoured crisps to sausages and sauces — but it’s particularly associated with Chinese and other Asian dishes. For those who have a sensitivity to MSG, it can also trigger headaches by dilating blood vessels in the brain. Other symptoms include numbness and tingling, a tightness in the chest and dizziness. If you think you’re sensitive to MSG, check food labels — it is sold as a ‘gourmet powder’ in Chinese food shops and is listed as E621 on packaged food — and ask whether dishes contain MSG before ordering a meal in a Chinese restaurant.
— Daily Mirror  MM130326