Headaches are so common that we tend to think that they are part of our lives. However, this type of ailment, like any other, fulfills a very specific function, which is to warn us that something is wrong with our body. Both common headaches and migraines or even migraines can be caused by stress, depression, excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine or tobacco, dehydration, heat stroke or as a symptom of some type of more serious disease. Given these cases, our main objective will be to try to combat them so that they do not reproduce continuously.
Water can relieve a headache
The headache can be relieved through the application of both cold and heat to the affected area. Cold therapy, either through the use of ice packs or compresses soaked in cold water, provide a sort of natural anesthetic effect by causing blood vessels to constrict and ultimately inflammation to dissipate. On the other hand, we have heat therapy, using a method very similar to dipping compresses with hot water, which can be used to relax the affected area if our headache is caused by stress or excessive tension in the muscles of the face, neck or shoulders.
The ways in which both cold and heat therapies can be applied are varied. There are gels on the market, which can be stored in our home refrigerators, water-soaked towels or cloth compresses can be used. The action of the water can be complemented and enhanced by the use of herbs such as valerian, chamomile or lavender, although we should always have the advice of our family doctor in these cases since some plants can interact negatively with any medication that we are taking
We must avoid applying both cold and heat directly to the skin or fresh from the microwave (if we have heated) or from the freezer (if we have cooled), since it can cause irritation and wounds on our dermis. We can use this method at any time and without limit of applications, although it is convenient to allow a few hours between uses to achieve a more beneficial effect on our migraines.