Migraines are caused by a huge variety of triggers from what you eat, like chocolate, to hormonal issues (and this is not just a female issue, teen males especially have been known to have repeat headaches due to hormones). Seriously: alcohol, weather changes, stress and even lack of sleep can cause migraines. The best thing to do if you are suffering is drink water right away, because dehydration causes them too, and eat something with ginger if your migraines make you nauseous. Rest in an area with lowered lights, if possible. I’ve listed two little hints to help temporarily relieve some headaches until the trigger is recognized but do call us for longer term solutions.
*If putting pressure on the back of the neck at the spine (or along the base of the skull) feels sore but brings a little relief too then it is possible that your headache is caused in-part by a muscular/nerve issue. For example, sleeping with your head in a bad position can bring about a migraine. It is important to support the head well during sleep. Use pressure, heat and slow stretches of the neck and shoulders to lessen pain.
*Sinus issues are also a huge cause of headaches. Even if your nose isn’t running, mucus in the nasal cavity can cause painful pressures to be felt in other areas of the head. A sinus infection will make things worse and you may not even realize you have one. Try placing your right index finger at the top of the right side of the nose (up where sunglasses where rest) and your left index finger at the top of the left side of the nose. If pressing here or along the eyebrow line helps, a sinus headache may be what we need to treat. “Blow it, cough it up and spit it out!” is what I tell my kids.