Headaches! How Long Do You Wait For a Headache to Subside Before Taking a Pill??

@artistry (4152)
United States
February 16, 2010 12:07am CST
Headaches are a real pain. Are you able to try to wait for a headache to end before you take a pill? Or at the first sign of a headache, not a migraine headache, a regular headache, do you immediately go to the medicine cabinet for relief? Are you having less headaches as you have gotten older or more headaches? Share a few of your thoughts.
4 responses
@daliaj (5674)
• India
17 Feb 10
I have gone through similar situation last weekend. I had headache all throughout Sunday and I kept applying two types of balms, but it didn't work. So, after 8 hours, I decided to have half of a pain killer and slept. I was done with the headache once I got up after the sleep. I always wait for some time or try local and healty methods like applying vinegar on forehead to see if I can control headache.
1 person likes this
@artistry (4152)
• United States
17 Feb 10
...Hi there daliaj, Headaches are so bothersome. When I get them, I try something that someone told me about a good while ago. They said that at times we don't get enough oxygen to our brain, or we are indoors with dry heat conditions. So they said to close your mouth, hold your nose or your breath, and blow like a blowfish, so that air goes into your brain. Do it several times. This has stopped many headaches for me. Sleeping for a while helps a lot of people as well, as mentioned by you and others in this discussion. Take care and thanks for your response.
@MrKennedy (1978)
16 Feb 10
I will only cure a head-ache with pain-killers if it is a particularly bad or painful one, if not then I just tough it out like a man However, if it IS an excruciatingly agonizing head-ache, it usually takes me 3-4hours before I resort to the pain-killers
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@artistry (4152)
• United States
17 Feb 10
...Hi there MrKennedy, I love it, tough it out like a man. You are a strong one. A headache can be such a pain, pardon the pun. That it can be hard sometimes to tough it out, some headaches make you actually sick. Someone gave me a little trick, because it can often be lack of enough oxygen to the brain, which causes the headache. Hold your breath or your nose, close your mouth and blow like a blowfish, so that air goes into your brain, this has stopped many headaches for me. Repeat a few times. It also wakes you up, if you don't want to sleep at the time. Thanks for your input, take good care.
• Hyderabad, India
16 Feb 10
I'm 20 right now and I've had a pill to cure headache only twice in my lifetime. I've actually grown up in a family that does not believe in taking medicines everytime there's slight pain in some part of the body. My mom especially is against anti-biotics to cure temporary pain. Maybe I've drifted into the same thought process as my mom. Thats probably the reason why I prefer overcoming headaches with rest than medicines. I usually get headaches due to lack of sleep. Anything less than 5 hours of sleep in the night and headache is inevitable for me. Its also got to do something with the fact that I wear spectacles. In such a situation, I just leave all and go for a power nap. It not just cures my headache but provides that extra energy and freshness to go on about my work.
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@artistry (4152)
• United States
17 Feb 10
...Hi rahul, Wow, that is wonderful to hear. I think as a society, we have been programed to pop too many pills. Sometimes if we wait, maybe drink a cup of tea and try to relax our minds, the headahe will subside. It can be nervous tension or stress that is giving us a bad headache. Sometimes getting some fresh air can stop a headache, expecially in the winter, when we are in closed quarters for long periods of time and the heat takes away the oxygen. Just going outside or opening a window, to let air inside, will make us feel better. Your suggestions are very good, thank you for your response.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
16 Feb 10
I really have never used pills to get rid of headaches. I feel it is just no point. I either wait out the headache or I take alternate steps to combat it. For instance, often times, it could be a lack of sleep. After I lie down for a couple of hours, the headache fades away to only a dull ache or nothing at all. Failing that, a cold washcloth on my head deals with the pain. Just laying back with it over my head with my eyes closed is more effective than any aspirin in my opinion. Also, there could be times where I get headaches for something as simple as not eating much during the day. I find that a lot of headaches are just because of lack of food. Therefore, that is one of the first things I try to do if a headache does not go away right away. I find that I do not get that many headaches, unless it is under times of stress or I am unable to get that much sleep. I have not really figured out whether or not it has to do with my age.
1 person likes this
@artistry (4152)
• United States
17 Feb 10
...Hi megamatt, I don't think it has to do with your age, just my thought "o) You might want to make sure you are getting enough oxygen to your brain when you get the headaches that you get. If I get a headache, I will hold my nose, and close my mouth, and blow air into ny brain like a blowfish, just blow over and over, holding your breath or your nose. The airwill be forced into your brain and the headache goes away. Usually works, do it twice or so. Thanks so much for the great information. Take it easy.