This article explores homeopathy for headache, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, management & best medicines in detail.
Headache is a very common health issue. Headache can be described as a sensation of pain felt in the head, neck or face.
Headache is of various types with different sets of signs and symptoms. Patients with a severe type of headache can go into depression.
There are more than a hundred types of headaches. The treatment for each type of headache is different.
Everyone go through headache in their lives.
It can occur in any age or sex. Headache affects daily activities and creates a bad impact on the daily routine of the patient.
Pain can be felt in any region of the head such as the front, back, sides or the top of the head.
Headache Types
Let’s take a look at major types of headaches.
Common Types:
1. Tension headache
Tension headache is one of the most types of headache. It mostly affects teens and adults. There is a sensation of a band like pressure and pain on both sides of the head. No other symptoms are found. Tension headache may resolve on its own.
2. Migraine Headache
Migraine headache is a very common complaint among people. It produces a characteristic throbbing type of pain in the head.
The attack of migraine headache is as frequent as one to four times a month. It remains for two to four days.
Other commonly associated symptoms with migraine headaches are nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity toward light, sound or smell.
Sometimes, there is abdominal pain or discomfort. Some patients experience dizziness, faintness or blurred vision before the headache starts.
This is known as aura.
The Migraine headache can occur at any age.
3. Cluster Headache
Cluster headache causes a very severe intensity of pain in one eye or behind the eyes. The patient becomes restless due to the continuous throbbing pain.
Cluster headaches can occur in episodes of one to three hours. The eyes become red with tearing pain.
This accompanies by nasal congestion and watery discharge from the nose. Cluster headaches can be as frequent as several times a day for a few months.
It is three times more common in men than in women.
4. Chronic Headache
Chronic headache is a daily occurring headache for about fifteen days to three months.
This can occur for a short period to long hours of three to four hours.
This can occur due to a variety of reasons, for example, migraine, stress or some medical condition e.g., Hemicrania continua.
5. Sinus Headache
When cavities present in the face and head which are also known as sinuses get inflamed due to any cause.
The headache accompanies by pain in the nose bridge, cheekbones and forehead.
Sinus headache also causes symptoms like runny nose, fever, and swollen face.
There is a sensation of fullness and pain in the ears.
Sometimes, infection occurs in the sinuses which makes the clear watery discharge from the nose, turn greenish or yellowish.
5. Post-Traumatic Headache
If a headache develops two or three days after receiving a head injury then it can be a post-traumatic headache.
Post-traumatic headache causes symptoms such as dizziness, faintness, dull pain, inability to concentrate, easy tiredness, irritability etc.
Post-traumatic headaches can occur for two to three months after the injury. Post-traumatic headache requires proper medical treatment.
Less Common Types:
1. Rebound Headache
Rebound headache is a constant dull headache developed due to excessive use of painkillers.
If an individual is taking painkillers more than a few times in 7 days or more than ten times in a month, then he is likely to suffer from a rebound headache. This type of headache keeps occurring again and again.
2. Exercise Headache
The head and neck need more blood supply while exercising to function properly.
This causes the blood vessels in the head and neck to swell up and results in a pulsating pain in the head and neck.
3. Hemicrania Continua
Hemicrania Continua is a continuous headache occurring on the same side of the face and head.
Other associated symptoms are red eyes, watery discharge from the eyes, and heavy eyelids. Any kind of physical exertion worsens the symptoms.
4. Hormonal Headache
Females are more commonly affected by this type of headache. Hormonal headache is caused by a change or shift in the hormonal balance of the body, for example, menopause or pregnancy. Some medications such as birth control pills can also cause hormonal headaches.
Some people who undergo hormone replacement therapy are prone to suffer from hormonal headaches.
5. Thunderclap Headache
A sudden, severe and sharp intensity headache that keeps on increasing can be a thunderclap headache.
This type of headache is caused by factors such as rupture or blockage of blood vessels in the brain, head injury, brain strokes or changes in the blood vessels during pregnancy.
Rare Types:
1. Ice Pick Headache
A short, intense and stabbing type of headache that rarely occurs can be an Ice Pick Headache. It occurs for a few seconds.
It can be as frequent as several times a day. It can occur due to any underlying disease.
Headache Causes
Let’s take a look at multiple factors that causes headache.
Family History:
Genetic factors may lead to the development of headaches. For example, a migraine headache can pass on from generation to generation.
If the parents or grandparents suffer from migraine headaches then the child is more likely to develop it.
Stress:
Stress is one of the most common causes of headaches. Excessive worry, depression, anxiety, the emotional disturbances can cause headaches.
There is the sensation of heaviness in the eyes due to headaches caused by stress.
Environmental factors:
Headaches caused by a sudden change in the weather, noise, pollution, and bright lights may cause headaches.
Other environmental factors responsible for headaches are strong perfumes, allergens, a chemical in the house or a particular food etc.
These factors can cause recurrent headaches.
Bad Lifestyle Habits:
Habits such as alcohol, a lack of proper food, overuse of mobiles or laptops, and unnecessary self medications may cause headaches.
Underlying medical conditions:
A few underlying medical conditions can cause headaches such as common colds, infections, and certain types of fevers. Sinus infections and throat or ear infections may also cause headaches.
Headache Symptoms
Depending upon the type of headache, many symptoms are associated with it.
Continuous dull pain in the head, neck and face. This pain may extend to the eyes and ears.
Nausea and vomiting along with a sensation of pressure in the head.
A lack of proper concentration and an increased sense of irritability.
Redness and heaviness in the eyes along with watery discharge from the eyes.
Ringing, buzzing and humming in the ears along with intense pain and a sensation of fullness in the ears.
Pain can be felt on one or both sides of the face. This extends to the head and neck.
Pain can involve any part of the head, for example, the front, top, sides or back of the head.
Risk Factors for Headache
Let’s take a look at the risk factors responsible for the development of various types of headaches.
Stress and depression may predispose a person to develop headaches.
A Hormonal shift in the body in, for example, during pregnancy, menses or menopause.
Neck arthritis.
A lack of proper sleep, for example, staying late and waking up early.
Head injury or trauma.
Poor habits such as drinking alcohol and smoking.
Family background or history of headaches such as migraine or sinus headaches.
Diagnosis of Headache
The doctor will take the whole medical history, signs and symptoms to diagnose which type of headache the patient is suffering from. He may advise some investigations and tests.
CT
MRI
EEG
These tests help to identify the changes in normal blood vessels in the head and brain. In case of injury, these tests help to identify the extent of destruction occurring in the blood vessels.
Headache Management
Headache can be managed by following a few tips and tricks which are as follows.
Getting proper sleep.
Maintaining right head and neck posture.
having regular meals.
Completely stopping alcohol intake.
Avoid smoking.
Avoiding triggers to the headache.
Getting suitable medical treatment.
Homeopathy for Headache – Best Medicines
Homeopathy offers a safe, rapid and permanent solution for every type of headache.
It can treat the root cause and thus helps to annihilate the symptoms.
Let’s take a look at the topmost remedies for headaches in homeopathy.
1. BELLADONNA: For throbbing and pulsating headache
Symptoms:
Belladonna is one of the best remedies in homeopathy for headache treatment.
It is considered a top grade remedy in homeopathy for curing headaches. The belladonna patient is sensitive to touch.
There is a heating sensation in the head during the headache. The patient experiences a feeling of fullness in the head.
The pain is localised in the forehead. It can extend to the back and sides of the head.
Bright light, noise and lying down in the afternoon worsen the symptoms. The headache develops suddenly.
The headache is better by pressure. Sometimes, the patient forces his head into the pillow to get relief.
Headaches occurring due to haircuts or colds can be treated with belladonna. Mostly the headache is felt on the right side of the head.
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 or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. GLONOINE: For the congestive type of headache
Symptoms:
Congestive headaches can be treated by glonoine very efficiently. Glonoine is a remedy prepared from Nitro-glycerine under homeopathy for headache.
Headaches caused due to sunstrokes can be effectively treated by this remedy. The people who have to stay long hours under the sun may get benefitted from this remedy.
There is a sensation of dizziness and faintness in the head. The head becomes heavy.
Heat about the head makes the symptoms worse. The patient feels better by uncovering the head.
Glonoine helps to treat headaches in patients with high blood pressure.
There is a characteristic symptom that the headaches increase and decrease with the sun. In women, headache appears in the place of menses.
There is a high rush of blood to the head.
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 or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. RUTA GRAVEOLENS: For headaches caused due to eyestrain:
Symptoms:
Ruta Graveolens is one of the best remedies under homeopathy for headache where headache occurs due to eye-straining.
The eyes are red, painful and hot. The symptoms get worse on doing fine work such as reading small letters and sewing.
Ruta can also treat pain in the eyes due to changing eyeglasses powers. The patient experiences weary pain due to reading.
There is a sensation of deep pressure and pain in the eyebrows and eye sockets.
Potency and dosage:
Ruta Graveolens 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ruta Graveolens 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Ruta Graveolens in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. NATRUM MUR: For long-standing chronic headache
Symptoms:
Natrum Mur is capable of treating a wide range of headaches, especially chronic headaches and a super medicine under homeopathy for headache.
The patient experiences a Blinding, throbbing headache. There is a sensation as if a thousand little hammers are knocking on the head after waking up in the morning.
It is a beneficial remedy for headaches in women after periods. The patient experiences headaches from sunrise to sunset.
Natrum Mur can easily treat headaches in weak, anaemic school girls. It helps treat migraine headaches.
The patient who suffers from a chronic congestive headache with nausea and vomiting can be benefitted from this remedy.
The headache repeats after a certain fixed interval. Symptoms are better after sleep. It is also helpful for sinus headaches.
The patient may experience numbness and tingling sensation in the lips, nose and tongue (aura symptoms). It can also treat patients with a sinus headaches.
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 or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. IRIS VERSICOLOR: For headaches with gastric troubles
Symptoms:
The patient experiences headache with a nauseating feeling. There is a pain in the forehead, then a person can select this medicine under homeopathy for headache.
There is a constricted feeling in the scalp. The right part of the head is mostly affected.
The patient feels a blur before the eyes before the headache. Mental training and sleep worsen the symptoms.
Potency and dosage:
Iris Versicolor 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Iris Versicolor 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Iris Versicolor in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. CEDRON: For the periodical type of headache
Symptoms:
Periodical headaches that get repeated after a certain interval can be treated by this remedy.
The sides of the head and ears are mainly affected. The patient experiences headaches mainly on the right side of the head.
The headache occurs at 9 am. The symptoms get worse on exertion. The headache drives the patient crazy.
There is severe pain in the eyeballs. The patient becomes numb due to the headache.
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 can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. SANGUINARIA CAN: For headache localised on the right-side
Symptoms:
It is helpful for headaches occurring on the right side of the head.
It is beneficial for patients who suffer from headaches that return after certain fixed intervals.
The pain starts from the back of the head, spreads upwards and settles in the right eye.
Lying and sleeping relieve the symptoms. The blood vessels in the head seem to appear swelled.
The headache returns every seventh day in menopausal women. The eyes burn with pain.
The pain occurring at the back of the head feels like a flash of lightning.
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 or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. SPIGELIA: For headache localised on the left-side
Symptoms:
It is helpful for the headache occurring on the left side of the headache. The pain is felt on the sides and the forehead.
The pain spreads to the eye sockets. There is deep pain in the eyes. The pain is violent and throbbing in nature.
Walking make the symptoms worse. There is a band-like sensation in the head.
Potency and dosage:
Spigelia 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Spigelia 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Spigelia in 30CH is taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. NUX VOMICA: For headaches with poor food habits
Symptoms:
Nux vomica is helpful for headaches accompanied by dizziness.
Mental exertion, alcohol, and tobacco sexual act makes the symptoms worse. The patient becomes angry due to the pain.
The patient experiences gastric issues such as constipation along with headaches.
Potency and dosage:
Nux vomica 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Nux vomica 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Nux vomica in 30CH be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. KALI PHOS: For stress-related headaches
Symptoms:
It is helpful for weak, stressed and anaemic people with headaches.
The patient is unable to sleep at night.
It is the best nerve remedy in homeopathy. It is helpful for the treatment of students who suffer from fatigue. There is a worn-out feeling in the stomach.
Potency and dosage:
Kali phos 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Kali phos 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Kali phos in 30CH be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies should be 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 conditions.