This blog explains Heat Headache, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, management & best homeopathic remedies for its cure.
Severe headaches are a very common issue. Everyone at some point in their life has experienced severe headaches.
Headaches are more common in the summer as the temperature goes up.
The frequency of headaches rises with additional reasons in summer such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, environmental pollution, heat strokes etc.
In some people, heat itself can trigger headaches. The character of headache can be a dull, throbbing headache especially in the sides and back of the head.
The pain can be highly intense in case of a heat-induced headache.
However, some people may experience a heat-induced migraine which is different from a heat headache.
Heat Headache Types
Heat-induced migraine:
Symptoms of a heat-induced migraine and head-induced headache are different except for the aggravation from heat.
Heat-induced migraine can develop an aura before the symptoms such as blurring of vision, the appearance of white dots before the eyes, and a shrill sound coming from the ears.
After these, the patient may experience intensely painful episodes of headache. It can occur on one side or both sides of the head.
Heat Headache:
Heat headache is a pain in the headache caused by heat such as on going out in summer.
It can become worse by dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat strokes etc.
Heat Headache Causes
Heat headache is caused by the body’s response towards heat or hot weather.
The symptoms can be triggered by:
Looking in the bright sunlight.
High humidity may also cause heat headaches.
Sudden weather changes.
Dehydration:
When the body is exposed to a higher temperature, it needs more water as the body loses water in the form of sweat.
Sudden temperature change:
The sudden shift in the temperature might trigger some hormonal changes such as changes in serotonin levels.
These triggers can initiate a heat headache.
More exposure to heat:
Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to heat exhaustion and heat strokes.
Headache is a common symptom of heat exhaustion. Getting headaches after spending a long time in the sun can be a symptom of heat exhaustion.
Heat Headache Symptoms
Symptoms of heat headache may vary according to what triggered the headache.
The symptoms may include:
Dizziness
Fainting
Nausea and vomiting.
Cramps in muscles
Extreme thirst for water
Sweating
A dull and throbbing pain in the sides and back of the head.
Increased sensitivity to light.
Fatigue and weakness
Burning and pain in the eyes can be felt.
Some patients may experience a high fever with confusion and disorientation.
Some people may notice pale and clammy skin.
Immediate medical treatment should be given in extreme cases.
Risk Factors for Heat Headache
Certain risk factors might make a patient more prone to get affected by heat headaches.
Let’s take a look at them one by one.
Spending long hours in sun:
Increased exposure to the sun can trigger a heat headache.
Dehydration:
When a person is exposed to a higher temperature the body needs more water to maintain the water lost via sweating.
Heat headache can also develop into dehydration.
Sudden temperature change:
A sudden change in temperature such as going out in sun from an air-conditioned room may trigger a heat headache.
It occurs to changes in serotonin levels in the body.
Diagnosis
The doctor makes the diagnosis based on the symptoms. He will ask about the symptoms in detail.
He will also evaluate the causes and triggers of the headaches.
In severe cases, such as those caused by heat strokes, immediate medical attention is extremely necessary.
Heat Headache Management
Certain management tips can help to manage heat headaches. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
Stay hydrated:
Drink enough water when going out in sun. keep a water bottle in the bag.
Staying hydrated is very important in the summer heat.
Avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun:
Avoid going out in the sun when not required. Limit sun exposure, especially between the peak time i.e., 11 am to 4 pm.
Use sun protection tools:
Always use a hat, umbrella or caps while going out in the sun. It will protect the direct heat from the sun.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Heat Headache
Homeopathy offers a very mild, gentle and permanent treatment option for patients with heat headaches.
There are so many wonderful homeopathic medicines known for their effectiveness in the treatment of heat headaches.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared from natural sources and they are completely safe to be used by patients of any age and sex including small children, young adults and older age group people.
These medicines are very helpful and free from any adverse effects.
Let’s take a look at the topmost indicated remedies for the treatment of heat headaches in homeopathy one by one in detail.
1. GLONOINE: For heat headaches due to sunstroke
Symptoms:
Glonoine is one of the topmost indicated remedies for the treatment of heat headaches.
There is confusion with dizziness. It is a helpful medicine for ill effects of sunstroke, and heat on the head as in type-setters or workers under gas and electric light.
The patient complains that the head is heavy but he cannot lay it on the pillow.
The patient cannot bear any heat on the head. The symptoms are better by the uncovered head.
The patient becomes very irritable with a throbbing headache. The headache increases and decreases with the sun. The patient feels dizzy on standing in an upright position.
There is cerebral congestion. The head feels enormously large.
There are shocks in the head, synchronous with the pulse.
There are headaches in place of menses. The rush of blood to the head in pregnant women occurs.
When these symptoms match, Glonoine can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Glonoine 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Glonoine 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Glonoine in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. NATRUM MUR: For heat headaches from sunrise to sunset
Symptoms:
Natrum Mur is a very helpful medicine for the treatment of heat headaches in homeopathy.
There is a throbbing and blinding pain in the head.
The pain feels as if a thousand little hammers were knocking on the head (in the morning on awakening, after menstruation, from sunrise to sunset).
The head feels too large and cold. It is a helpful medicine for heat headaches in discouraged, broken-down school-going girls.
The headache can be congestive with a pale face, nausea and vomiting.
When these symptoms match, Natrum Mur should be the choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Natrum Mur 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Natrum Mur 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Natrum Mur in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. ACONITE: For bursting heat headaches
Symptoms:
Aconite is indicated for bursting types of heat headaches.
There is a feeling of fullness and heaviness with pulsation and heat in the head.
The patient complains of a burning headache as if the head is moved by boiling water.
There is vertigo on rising and shaking head. There is a sensation on the head as if the hair were pulled or stood on end.
When these symptoms match, Aconite can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Aconite 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Aconite 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Aconite in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. BELLADONNA: For throbbing heat headaches
Symptoms:
Belladonna is a wonderful medicine for the treatment of heat headaches localised in the forehead.
The head becomes sensitive to the least contact. There is much throbbing and heat in the head.
The patient complains of palpitation in the head with much-laboured breathing, pain and fullness, especially in the forehead, sides and back of the head.
There are sudden outcries. The pain is worse by light, noise, jar, lying down and in the afternoon.
The symptoms are better by pressure and semi-erect posture.
The patient bores his head into the pillow and rolls side by side.
When these symptoms match, Belladonna is the most suitable remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Belladonna 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Belladonna 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Belladonna in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. LACHESIS: For heat headaches due to going out in the sun
Symptoms:
Lachesis is a very beneficial medicine for the treatment of heat headaches or sun headaches.
The patient feels pain in the head on waking. There is pain in the root of the nose with pressure and burning in the top of the head.
There are sun headaches with flickering, dim vision and a very pale face.
The patient complains of dizziness in the head which is relieved by discharge ( nasal catarrhal or menses).
When these symptoms match, Lachesis can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Lachesis 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Lachesis 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Lachesis in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. GELSEMIUM: For heat headaches with a band feeling around the head
Symptoms:
Gelsemium is one the best medicines for the treatment of people suffering from heat headaches.
There is heaviness in the head with a band feeling around and at the back of the head.
The patient complains of a dull, heavy headache with the heaviness of eyelids and a bruised sensation.
The symptoms are better by compression and lying on with a high head.
The pain in the sides of the head extends up to the ears, nose and chin.
The headaches accompany muscular soreness of the neck and shoulders.
When these symptoms match, Gelsemium can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Gelsemium 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Gelsemium 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Gelsemium in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. CARBO VEG: For constrictive heat headaches
Symptoms:
Carbo Veg is a very helpful medicine for the treatment of constrictive heat headaches in homeopathy.
The hair feels sore and falls off easily. The scalp itches when getting warm in bed.
There is pressure upon the head as if there is a heavyweight.
The patient complains of dizziness with a nauseous feeling and ringing in the ears.
The symptoms become worse in warm, damp weather. The symptoms get better with the cold weather.
When these symptoms match, Carbo Veg should be the choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Carbo Veg 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Carbo Veg 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Carbo Veg in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. NATRUM CARB: For heat headaches in hot weather
Symptoms:
Natrum Carb is a very helpful medicine for the treatment of heat headaches in hot weather.
There is pain in the head from the slightest exertion. The headache is worse in the sun and from working in the gas light.
The patient complains that the head feels too large. The patient becomes oversensitive to hearing.
The headache returned with the return of hot weather. There is vertigo when going out in the sun or spending long hours in the sun.
When these symptoms match, Natrum Carb can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Natrum Carb 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Natrum Carb 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Natrum Carb in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. BRYONIA: For splitting heat headaches
Symptoms:
Bryonia is a wonderful medicine for the treatment of splitting heat headaches in homeopathy.
There is vertigo, nausea, faintness and confusion on rising.
The patient complains of splitting and bursting headaches as if everything would be pressed out or as if hit by a hammer from within.
The symptoms are worse from motion, stooping and opening eyes. The is pressing, crushing and aching in the eyes.
The headache becomes seated in the back of the head. The headaches due to sun and heat exposure can be easily treated by this medicine.
When these symptoms match, Bryonia is the most suitable choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Bryonia 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Bryonia 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Bryonia in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. SANGUINARIA CAN: For heat headache worse on the right side
Symptoms:
Sanguinaria Can is well-known medicine for its beneficial effects in the treatment of heat headaches.
The symptoms are worse on the right side. The headache occurs due to exposure to the sun.
The patient complains of periodical sick headaches. The pain begins at the back of the head and extends upwards.
The sides of the head feel distended. The pain is better by lying down and sleeping.
There is burning in the eyes. Pain in the back of the head feels like a flash of tightening.
When these symptoms match, Sanguinaria should be the choice of medicine.
Potency and dosage:
Sanguinaria Can 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Sanguinaria Can 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Sanguinaria Can in 30CH be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
11. CEDRON: For heat headaches with a numb feeling
Symptoms:
Cedron is a very useful medicine for the treatment of heat headaches in homeopathy.
The pain occurs at the sides of the head extending toward the eyes.
There s pain over the whole right side of the face, coming on about 9 am.
The patient complains of crazy feelings from the pain across the forehead.
There is roaring and ringing in the ears. The whole body seems numb with a heat headache.
There is shooting pain over the left eye, and severe radiating pains across the eyeballs.
When these symptoms match, Cedron can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Cedron 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Cedron 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Cedron in 30CH is taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original condition.