Regular headaches - #123
I have been suffering from a chronic headache for several months now. I've tried various painkillers, including ibuprofen and paracetamol, but they don't bring relief. I also tried to change my sleep and eating patterns, but it didn't help. The pain can be very pressing or shooting, no one in the family has this anymore. What to do?
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Doctors’ responses
Experiencing chronic headaches can be incredibly frustrating, especially when over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol do not provide relief. Since you’ve already attempted changes in your sleep and eating patterns without improvement, it’s important to explore holistic approaches, particularly from an Ayurvedic perspective. In Ayurveda, headaches can often be linked to imbalances in the doshas, particularly vata and pitta.
To alleviate your symptoms, consider incorporating herbs like Brahmi and Ashwagandha, which can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Regularly consuming Ginger tea may also aid in reducing inflammation and relieving headache symptoms. Additionally, practicing yoga and meditation can help balance your mind and body, reducing stress levels and potentially alleviating headache triggers.
You might also want to evaluate your hydration levels, as dehydration can be a significant contributor to headaches. Ensuring adequate water intake and including hydrating foods in your diet can be beneficial. Applying a cooling paste of turmeric and coconut oil to your forehead may also provide relief.
If headaches persist, consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner could help identify underlying imbalances and offer personalized treatments, such as dietary changes or therapeutic procedures like Panchakarma, to detoxify and rejuvenate the body.
Oh, chronic headaches can really be a nuisance, right? Especially when you’ve tried everything like painkillers and adjustments to sleep. From an Ayurvedic perspective, headaches often point towards imbalances in the doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, or perhaps issues with digestive fire, Agni. First thing to consider is which dosha might be acting up.
Let’s take a closer look: if the headache worsens in windy, cold conditions or if it’s more erratic, it could be a Vata issue. If it’s more intense with heat or spicy foods, Pitta might be the culprit. A heavy, sluggish feeling could point to Kapha imbalance.
Understanding your personal prakriti–or natural constitution–helps too. But for right now, I’d say focusing on calming Vata might be a good starting point as they’re often linked with chronic pain.
Try going for warm, nourishing foods – something soupy or stewed. Avoid cold salads or raw foods which can aggravate Vata. You might find it helpful to establish regular meal times, it can settle things down a bit. Another thing is to use more of grounding spices like cumin, coriander, and fennel in cooking.
Try shirodhara or oil treatments on the head if you can, maybe a warm sesame oil massage. Practicing a bit of Nadi Shodhana, alternate nostril breathing, could help balance the nervous system too, easing stress.
Make sure you’re sleeping in a routine way, going to bed early, and creating a calming environment. Dimming lights, reducing screen time an hour before sleep can improve overall rest. Triggers from artificial lighting might be a thing.
If the headaches keep getting severe, or other symptoms arise, please reach out to a healthcare professional or Ayurvedic doctor in person. Getting hands-on diagnosis might be needed if this goes on. There could be underlying medical things at play, and safety first, always.

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