If you suffer from chronic migraines or regular headaches, you’re not alone. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraines are the third most prevalent illness in the world and 12 percent of the population or 36 million people suffer from chronic migraines.
What exactly is a migraine?
The Mayo Clinic defines a migraine as a severe headache that can cause severe throbbing or pain usually on just one side of the head. Pain from a migraine can last for hours or even days. Other symptoms of a migraine include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, visual disturbances, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell, as well as tingling or numbness in the face or arms and legs.
Migraines are a leading cause of visits to an emergency room, according to the National Institute of Health, and about every 10 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical treatment for a headache.
What causes headaches and migraines?
Research has shown that migraines or headaches can be caused by a number of factors including:
- Hormonal changes
- Emotional triggers - stress, depression, anxiety, shock, etc.
- Physical causes - like overexertion, lack of sleep, etc.
- Diet triggers - alcohol, chocolate, cheese, etc.
- Medications - sleeping pills, birth control pills, and others
- Environmental triggers - loud noises, bright lights, stuffy rooms, or strong smells
How to avoid getting a headache
While some causes of headaches like stress and environmental changes can be hard to avoid, doctors suggest that you do the following to help you avoid a painful headache or migraine. Here are a few tips:
- Get a good night’s rest
- Work on reducing stress in your life
- Stay hydrated
- Pay attention to what you’re eating and avoid foods that trigger headaches
- Stay active
But what if I have a headache right now?
Recent studies have shown that as many as 60 percent of headaches are caused by dehydration, or when your body hasn’t had enough water. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the hot summer months or when exercising, but even not drinking enough water throughout the day can cause dehydration.
To combat your headache, you should try to rehydrate as soon as you feel the symptoms of a headache coming on.
Using Himalayan Sea Salt to Battle Headaches and Dehydration
If you’re suffering from a headache caused by dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, try creating a tonic made out of lemon juice and Himalayan crystal salt. Himalayan salt can provide your body with essential electrolytes and lemon juice has many healing properties, including detoxification, which can help alleviate headache symptoms.
Himalayan Sea Salt Headache Remedy Recipe
Ingredients
Method
Mix sea salt, lemon juice, and zest of lemon into a glass of warm water. Drink the entire glass of water. If your headache is being caused by dehydration, you should start feeling relief within a few minutes.
Some important notes about headaches
Although many headaches are caused by dehydration and can be cured with a sea salt tonic, if you have persistent headaches, or additional unexplained symptoms, be sure to see a doctor.