Got a truck running through your head? Here's how to get rid of that migraine...

Got a truck running through your head? Migraines are the second most common headache type that can endure for hours or even days. When they start elbowing in on your quality of life you have to find the root of the problem. Dr Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s migraine research pioneer has the following advice:

Dietary Headaches
These are a common affliction for women. They are usually triggered by foods that assist with energy such as caffeine and chocolate. Take note of which foods that trigger headaches for you by keeping a diary and avoid these foods. A Dietary Trigger Diary is available at www.headacheclinic.co.za free of charge to assist you. Remember that skipping meals is a surefire trigger for headaches. Eat in moderation and enjoy your meals.

Be Aware of Your Posture
When sitting at your desk as this can result in a tension headache. Use a good chair that supports your back and that gives the ideal posture. Visit www.headacheclinic.co.za to get a free copy of the Ideal Computer Posture.

The Right Stretching Exercises
Stretch the muscles of your head, face, neck and jaw. Stretching should be gentle and soothing, not agonisingly painful. Stretch your neck and jaw muscles carefully and you will get results. Women should take care when picking up heavy objects. This can cause muscle tension that in turn can lead to a tension headache.

Beware of Medication Overuse
Medication is only appropriate for someone who suffers a few times a month. According to the International Headache Society, if you are taking headache medication more than twice a week you are at risk of developing Medication Overuse Headache. This means that the drugs you are taking will cause the headache or migraine to become more severe and more frequent over time. This leads to a downward spiral into constant medication use and constant pain. The more medication you take, the more pain you are in, the more medication you need, and the cycle continues.

Keep Stress Levels Down
Plan ahead to guarantee that you have enough time to complete work projects and that you get sufficient rest each night. One should also take regular breaks to ensure that you don’t get overworked. Although the techniques suggested by my colleague have not been scientifically shown to be of benefit, they sound logical, will be healthy for you, and may help with headache pain in some people. Here's also what you can eat to beat stress.

Dr Shevel suggests getting to the bottom of the problem and resolving the pain permanently as this is possible in most cases. “If the problem persists, it is imperative that you get an accurate diagnosis”