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Pounding headaches don’t have to be a problem any longer. Read on to find out what is the best treatment for headaches. 
Rest
Simply getting enough sleep can help fend headaches off. The average person should get about 8 hours of sleep a night. If you are suffering from a headache a good way to relieve the pain is to lie down and rest with your head and feet elevated. If you can fall asleep, you should wake up headache free!
Reduce Stress and Muscle Tension
Stress can be the cause of a headache, as tension builds up in your muscles, you grind your teeth or hold your jaw tight, and your blood pressure elevates – all headache causing reactions to stress. A good way to reduce stress is to practice breathing exercises and meditation. Massage can loosen muscles and help your body to relax, easing a headache. Heat can also help to calm your body and ease tension held in the neck, shoulders and back – apply heat with a heating pad, warmed rice bag, or by soaking in the bath, hot tub or taking a hot shower.
Drink Water
Headaches are often caused by the dehydration of your body. Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day to help fend headaches off. When you are suffering from a headache drinking more water can help it to go away as well, as you give your body the h2o it is telling you it needs. It might also help to reduce your salt intake, as salty foods dehydrate your body.
Caffeinated Beverages
Limit your caffeine intake, and plan to drink a caffeinated beverage during the time of the day you normally feel a headache come on – or better yet, save caffeinated beverages for when you are suffering a headache. Caffeine constricts the capillaries and reduces blood flow, which reduces pain and swelling. Be careful not to drink too much caffeine as it can become less effective in relieving headaches and your body can develop a dependency on the chemical. Some headaches and migraines are actually caused by caffeine withdrawal.
Over the counter medications
Ibuprofen or other acetaminophen based pharmaceuticals relieve headache pain within 30 minutes of taking the capsules. The most instant way to relieve a headache, over the counter pain relievers are cheap (under $5) and can be found at your local drug or grocery store. You should be careful when taking pain killers, as your body can become dependant on them. Over the counter medications should only be used as a last resort when dealing with headaches.
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