How do you cure headaches? Here are 18 effective home remedies to get rid of headaches naturally. Discover how drinking water, taking magnesium, limiting alcohol, and getting adequate sleep can help relieve headache symptoms.

Natural Remedies to Treat Headaches

Headache symptoms can be managed at home with a number of natural treatments, including drinking water, taking a nap, applying a cold compress and more. Headaches are a common condition that many people deal with on a daily basis. Ranging from uncomfortable to downright unbearable, they can disrupt your day-to-day life. Several types of headaches exist, with tension headaches being the most common. Cluster headaches are painful and happen in groups or “clusters,” while migraines are a moderate-to-severe type of headache.

Causes of Headaches

Headaches have a number of causes, some of which are much more serious than others. Research shows that certain dietary and lifestyle factors could increase the risk of experiencing headaches. Examples include lack of sleep, dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, alcohol use, nutrient deficiency, and undereating. However, serious injuries and underlying health issues can also cause headaches. For example, headaches can result from potentially life-threatening conditions, including tumors and blood clots, as well as from traumatic brain injury.

Drink Water to Relieve Headaches

Inadequate hydration may lead you to develop a headache. In fact, studies have demonstrated that dehydration is a common cause of headaches. What’s more, being dehydrated can impair concentration and cause irritability, making your symptoms seem even worse. Thankfully, research suggests that drinking more water may help reduce headache occurrence, duration, and severity in some people. To help avoid dehydration headaches, focus on drinking enough water throughout the day and eating water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.

Magnesium Supplements for Headache Relief

Magnesium is an important mineral necessary for countless functions in the body, including blood sugar regulation and nerve transmission. Interestingly, magnesium has also been shown to be a safe, effective remedy for headaches. Evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency is more common in people who get frequent migraine headaches than in those who don’t. Studies have shown that treatment with supplemental magnesium, in many different doses and forms, may help reduce both the frequency and the severity of migraine headaches.

Limit Alcohol to Prevent Headaches

While having an alcoholic drink may not cause a headache in most people, studies have shown that alcohol can trigger migraines in about one-third of those who experience frequent headaches. Alcohol intake is also a risk factor for tension headaches and for cluster headaches, which are among the most severe types of headaches. There are several ways in which alcohol is thought to trigger headaches, including by provoking inflammation, activating certain neuronal pathways, contributing to dehydration, and widening blood vessels, though the exact mechanism is still unclear. People who experience frequent headaches could try cutting back on their alcohol intake to see if it benefits their symptoms.

Get Adequate Sleep to Prevent Headaches

Sleep deprivation can be detrimental to your health in many ways and may even cause headaches in some people. In fact, research shows that poor sleep quality and insomnia are associated with increased headache frequency and severity. Sleep apnea, a health condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and then starts again during sleep, is associated with morning headaches, while insomnia is linked to increased headache severity in those with tension headaches. However, getting too much sleep has also been linked to headaches.

Other Natural Headache Remedies

In addition to drinking water, taking magnesium, limiting alcohol, and getting adequate sleep, there are several other natural remedies that may help alleviate headache symptoms. These include applying a cold compress, getting a massage, practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing, and using essential oils like peppermint or lavender. Herbal remedies like feverfew and butterbur have also been studied for their potential headache-relieving properties. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before using any new supplements or treatments, as they may interact with medications or have side effects.