Headaches have now become my work mates. I wonder why they never occur when I am relaxing at home but only when I have 10 reports to file, angry boss to answer or my all important presentation.
If this is true in your case also, find solace in the fact that according to a study by National Headaches Federation of US - almost everyone complains of headaches and that “they missed 1-3 days of work per month because of headache. Each year, it is estimated that time lost from work due to headache costs the nation(US) up to $17 billion dollars in absenteeism, lost productivity and medical expenses”.
The problem in India also can be no different…
And what is your reaction to headaches - medicines like Crocin, Combiflam. But did you know that prolonged use of Paracetamol causes kidney damage and inflammation of pancreas and overdose of paracetamol causes severe liver damage?
The other common OTC medicines like Vicks action 500 and D Cold available in India are actually banned in many conditions due to dangerous side effects like stroke and liver damage brought out by a study conducted by Yale University of Medicine, US. The best way to deal with headaches is to prevent them from happening and one way of doing it is to detect the causes:
Here are a few reasons that you might relate with:
- Stress: When there is little time but so many things to do and targets to fulfill, we tend to stress out and here comes the headache. For some, the cause can be a fight at work, tension with the boss or fear of failure. Not only these but good reasons like new job, additional responsibility can also cause stress.
- Coffee: We believe that coffee is the solution to all our problems. That is why we have it when hungry, sleepy, stressed and even when we have headaches. Too much coffee can increase the tension and anxiety again causing headaches. Another reason is ‘coffee withdrawal’ i.e. headache due to lack of coffee if the body has got dependent on coffee.
- Lighting: Sometimes it is the improper lighting at work that is to blame for the headaches. It could be due to glare on computer screens from any overhead lighting or glare from overhead incandescent lighting or flicker from fluorescent lighting. Try to examine the lighting at your workplace to prevent headache.
- Posture: A simple thing like bad posture can cause you many problems and headaches are one of them. You might find yourself to be hunching your shoulders, using a chair with no back support or staring at a monitor that is too low then just a little readjustment might relieve the headaches.
- Lack of sleep: Headaches are a signal for the body that it needs rest. So continuous lack of adequate or sound sleep or changing shifts that can lead to disruptions of bodily cycles can cause headaches.
- Foods: There are certain foods that trigger headaches in some. The common ones are chocolate, caffeine, red wines, cheeses, citrus fruits, beans, freshly baked bread, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, etc. If you notice that you get the headaches after you eat the same food stuff then that might be the cause.
- Hunger: With a pile load of work to do, lunch takes a back seat. For some this can be a cause of headache as the blood sugar goes down and we are robbed of energy.
- Cell phones: A recent study conducted in Sweden and Norway shows that mobile phones can cause headaches. They studied 17,000 people who used cell phones at work and found that among symptoms like feeling of warmth around the ear, and burning sensations on the face; one prominent problem was headaches, which began either during or after a call.
- Sunlight: Some people get headaches after being in sun. Exposure of sun makes your head nerves and tissues change their mode, affecting the nerve endings causing pain on either sides or the front of the head. Wear caps or carry umbrellas to protect yourself. Also try to avoid going out between 10-2 pm if possible.
- Colds: Colds and flu are always accompanied with headaches as the sinuses are congested and filled with mucus. If you have a sinus headache, taking steam will definitely help. Also try not sitting directly opposite AC to prevent colds, those prone to colds should avoid cold foods and wrap themselves well in air conditioned offices.
These are just some of the causes of the common ‘tension headaches’ but if the headaches persist for a longer duration then it might be a chronic headache or even a migraine, please consult your doctor for the same.
Now for the solutions:
- Stress at work is a given, but there are ways to deal with it so that it doesn’t affect you physically-
- Take frequent breaks
- Switch off your cell phone when at home, if that is impossible- at least restrict the calls you attend
- Be organized, it reduces stress
- Don’t procrastinate the things- they always haunt you afterwards
- Breathe- When nothing else works and the boss is breathing down your neck just take 5 deep breaths and release the tension.
- Don’t skip meals, it makes you irritable and gives you headache. At least munch on some peanuts or a fruit but don’t starve.
- If smoke is a problem, sit away from those who smoke and if you are the one smoking, headache is another reason to quit!
- Bad Posture is easy to rectify with good swivel chairs where you can adjust the height, back rest and arm rest.
- For people who suffer from headaches due to the use of cell phones, try to alternate between the sides, not talk as long, and use hands-free.
- Avoid foods that cause headaches, studies show foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids also help in preventing headache.
- Maintain a headache diary and note down the type of headache, possible cause and duration. It might indicate the exact factor causing headache.
- Exercise, any physical activity really helps to prevent headaches and keeps you healthy and moving.
- Try alternative therapies like acupressure, yoga, pranayam and massaging your head to relieve the pain.
- If nothing helps, then go for medication but try to avoid consuming them regularly as it can cause acidity and increases the dependency of medicines.
Headaches are annoying; some people are regular victims of it and still work with it. But headaches are also good indicators of deeper problems like lack of exercise, lack of sleep, poor nutrition and bad habits. Headaches also tell us how we handle stress.
So next time you have a headache, stop before you gulp that pill!
