The Vitamin You Need If You Have Chronic Headaches
Everyone experiences headaches from time to time. These can range from dull pain to intense throbbing and have a variety of causes. While you shouldn't be worried about the occasional headache, experiencing them frequently could be a sign of a health condition. According to Mayo Clinic, chronic headaches refer to headaches that occur at least 15 days each month. Potential causes include brain inflammation, infections, brain tumors, or head injuries, although it can be unclear what the cause is for everyone.
If you experience chronic headaches, you should visit your doctor. They can diagnose or rule out any serious health issues. If your headaches can't be treated immediately, your doctor will help you find ways to manage your pain. This may include prescription medications and lifestyle changes. Some vitamins may also help with chronic headaches. The herbs feverfew and butterbur have been found to help some people reduce the severity of their migraines or prevent them entirely. High doses of vitamin B2 may also help, although you should speak with your doctor before you take high doses of any supplement. Finally, Coenzyme Q10 supplements may be helpful for some people by lowering the frequency of headaches.
What to do when you have a headache
The best way to treat any kind of headache, whether it is temporary or chronic, is to find the underlying cause. As mentioned above, chronic headaches may be caused by a health condition. If that condition is treated, the headaches will likely go away. While medication is sometimes necessary to manage symptoms, it is best to avoid medication if possible when treating a headache. "It can induce something called medication overuse headaches, where too much medication actually induces more frequent headaches and makes the patient resistant to other treatments," Lawrence Newman, MD, a neurologist and director of the Headache Division at NYU Langone Health in New York City, told Good Housekeeping.
The next time you get a temporary headache, leave the bottle of aspirin alone and reach for a cup of coffee instead. Small amounts of caffeine can help ease the pain caused by many headaches. However, some people find that caffeine actually makes their headaches worse. It is up to you to figure out what drinks, foods, and activities cause your headaches and avoid them when possible.