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Sinus Headache Remedies from the Kitchen- Eat This, Not That

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

If you suffer from sinus infection symptoms (migraine-like sinus headache, sore throat, fever), then you’ll appreciate these natural ingredients for sore throat and migraines that you can find in your kitchen. It’s easy!

Tis the season for sinus infections

As if migraine headaches weren’t bad enough, prepare yourself for sinus infection season, complete with nagging symptoms like head congestion, ear infection, runny nose, constant cough, and yes- sinus headaches. Sinus headache symptoms include intense pressure and pain behind your cheekbones, nose, and forehead, in addition to the usual sinus infection symptoms, like runny nose, facial swelling, and ear infection.

Migraine or Sinus Headache? Make Sure your Headache Doctor Knows the Difference

Natural ingredients for headaches

Over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants may relieve sinus headache temporarily, but they can also be habit-forming, in addition to causing dizziness. As for taking antibiotics, only your doctor can recommend the proper course of action, although research suggests that frequent antibiotic usage can be harmful to your health.

Your best bet for whole-body pain management is using natural nutrients for sinus infections, such as the ones suggested by naturopathy experts:

Chili pepper therapy

Spicy chili peppers benefits respiratory functioning, according to research led by the University of Cincinnati. In the study, a nasal spray derived from hot chili peppers, Capsicum annum, was beneficial for symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis, including stuffy head, sinus headaches, and runny nose. You don’t have to use a pepper spray, though. Just indulge in spicy foods that don’t cause migraine headaches, such as mango salsa, grilled peppers, or spicy burritos (sans the migraine-triggering cheese). Alternatively, horseradish would also be effective.

Chicken soup for your headache

It’s important to stay hydrated when you have a sinus infection, and nothing is better for clearing up stuffed nasal cavities than a hot bowl of steamy chicken broth. It’s not just because of the rising steam, which also helps- scientists believe that chicken soup contains unique ingredients that make it the best for soothing minor throat pain.

Take a tea break

In addition to chicken soup, drink plenty of liquids, such as herbal teas. Some of the best teas for respiratory health and managing migraines are ginger tea, chamomile tea, and peppermint tea. Add soothing honey for taste, and lemon juice for extra vitamin C. Also, increase your consumption of water and fruit juices.

Don’t eat this!

Health experts believe that certain foods may worsen sinus infection symptoms, including sinus headaches. Some foods should be avoided because they might be allergens. They are:

Fried foods
White sugar
White flour
Caffeinated beverages
Artificial sweeteners
MSG
Dairy products
Chocolate

Also read this:

How to make your own Emergency Migraine Attack Survival Pack

Plan a Headache-Free Summer Vacation: Five Travel Tips

Sources:

Heat in chili peppers can ease sinus problems, research shows

Sinusitis – Treatment for Acute Sinusitis

What Foods To Avoid Eating For Sinus Headaches- LIVESTRONG.COM

Sinus Headaches: Symptoms and Treatment

Image Credits:

Free Digital Photos: Sinus Pain, Woman with allergy, Red chili, Chicken , Girl keeping warm

Tags: headache remedies, Health Central, Livestrong, Natural Headache Remedies, Sinus headache, sinus headache symptoms, Sinus infection home remedy, sinus infection symptoms, Sore throat, Sore throat home remedies, WebMD
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Migraines Caused by Eye Strain? Tinted Glasses can Help

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

Migraine patients who wear tinted glasses made exclusively to prevent migraines can find relief from headache pain caused by light sensitivity and sharp striped images, according to a US News report.

Vertical lines and bright lights

One of the most debilitating symptoms of migraines is the ultra-sensitivity to light and patterns that comes along with the condition. Chronic migraines are a neurological disease which affect millions of Americans; typical migraine symptoms are pounding headaches, nausea,”auras,” blind spots and symptoms which mimic stroke. Some headache triggers you can easily bypass: chocolate, wine, gluten, stress (to an extent), lack of sleep, but others can be nearly impossible to avoid. (Good read: Migraine Sufferer to World: It’s not just a Headache, People!)

Do you shudder at the thought of walking into a crowded, brightly lit supermarket? Does reading a striped bar code give you an instant headache? If so, you might benefit from a pair of custom migraine glasses.

Colored corrective glasses is nothing new

Tinted lenses were first used to treat dyslexia. Later, researchers discovered that the corrective glasses could also be used to help headache patients who suffer “migraines with aura.” In a WebMD article, Jie Huang, PhD explains that chronic migraine patients ”are highly susceptible to stressful visual stimuli,” and that the prescription colored lenses help by toning down activity in the brain’s visual cortex.

(Read about how tinted goggles help NBA player Dwyane Wade battle his migraines on the court.)

Migraine treatment glasses put to the test

Dr. Huang tested the effects of tinted glasses on migraine patients.
Included in the research were 11 chronic migraine sufferers, and 11 non-migraine patients.
Research assistants developed “precision ophthalmic tints (POTs),” for each volunteer, along with a pair of gray-lensed glasses and non-precision colored glasses as control samples.
All 22 participants agreed to go through an MRI machine and be exposed to various striped patterns which were known to trigger migraine headaches.
Migraine patients reported that wearing tinted glasses minimized their discomfort by 40%, but that the precision lenses were most effective at reducing eye strain and preventing migraines, by 70%.
Many chronic migraine headache sufferers are in the habit of wearing sunglasses to relieve migraine eye strain and ward off headaches. However, this research proves that wearing POTs can be even more effective at providing migraine relief than just wearing drugstore variety lenses.
Besides geometric patterns, other visual stimuli which could trigger migraines include reading, watching television, using the internet and playing video games.
Robert Daroff, MD, former president of the American Headache Society and professor at the Case Western University School of Medicine, warns that not all migraineurs should look to the prescription glasses as a cure for their headaches, stating that only a minority of migraine headaches are caused primarily from visual stimuli.