6 ways of preventing headaches

• Manage stress
  Stress can be a huge factor in causing headaches. Ways to manage stress include regular exercise, deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation.

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• Preventative Medications for tension headaches

  • Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include antidepressants such as partoxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor) and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)

  • NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and ketoprofen (Orudis)

  • Other medications include anticonfulsants such as divalproex (Depakote) and muscle relaxants such as tizanidine (Zanaflex)

• Getting adequate sleep

  Sleep helps relax tense muscles and replenish energy that can often cause tension headaches.

• Eating a healthy diet

  Certain foods can sometimes cause one to get headaches

• Stretching your neck and upper body

  Especially, if your work involves typing or using a computer, it is important to stretch because muscles can get tense.

• Proper posture (Tips to prevent Ergonomic injury)

  Slouching or having bad posture can lead to stress in certain areas of the body like the neck or the spine. This in turn leads to tension headaches.

References:

• Mayo Clinic

• Medline Plus

• Time Magazine