Home remedy for headaches

There are several home remedies that we can try at home for headaches. A good effective alternative to painkillers is peppermint oil. It can be applied to large areas of the temples and forehead with a light massage.

Heat can also be very helpful, e.g. to relax the neck muscles. You can use a warm cherry pit pillow, a warm towel or take a warm shower. For throbbing headaches, cold can sometimes also help.

Another remedy that relieves pain is willow bark. It contains salicin derivatives that are converted to salicylic acid. This is the basic substance of aspirin and has the same effect.

These drugs can help

Several preparations are available for medicinal acute therapy: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 500-1000 mg, paracetamol 500-1000 mg, ibuprofen 200-400 mg, naproxen 500-1000 mg or metamizole 500-1000 mg. These doses represent a single dose. The maximum dose per day is different for each drug and should be observed.

There are also combination preparations with 250 mg acetylsalicylic acid, 250 mg paracetamol and 65 mg caffeine. The pain medications also have side effects that should be known. ASA is a blood thinner, ibuprofen should not be given in case of kidney failure, paracetamol is broken down by the liver and should not be taken in case of liver disease.

In case of doubt, one should always clarify the intake with the treating physician or family doctor. In case of stomach ulcers, regular painkillers or simultaneous intake of cortisone, a stomach protection tablet (Pantoprazole) should be taken additionally. It is important not to take the painkillers more than 10 days a month, as this can also cause a headache, the so-called analgesic headache.

If the headache persists, you should consult a doctor. In the acute phase of a cluster headache, inhaling 100% oxygen or taking serotonin receptor antagonists such as sumatriptan can help.In chronic tension headaches, typical painkillers are not usually used, but rather, for example, certain antidepressants. The typical painkillers are not used as migraine prophylaxis either, but e.g. metoprolol or topimarat.

The best drug pain therapy suitable for the respective headache should be prescribed by the treating physician, always taking into account the dosage and the type of intake. Also for headache attacks or episodic headaches a suitable medication should be discussed in consultation with the attending physician. This topic could also be of interest to you: Pain therapy