Do not rush to take off your hats. Doctors explained the causes of spring headache
Hypothermia and stress can lead to frequent migraines.
In the spring, some Russians often have a headache, as people are in a hurry to take off warm hats, a neurologist, associate professor of the department of neurology, neurosurgery and medical genetics at Kazan State Medical University Rustem Gayfutdinov told RBC Life.
According to him, with hypothermia, neuropathy of the facial nerve may occur, the symptoms of which are headache, facial asymmetry. Mostly young people take off their hats early, in older people neuropathy can occur, for example, if they are blown by a draft, the doctor noted.
Also, a headache in the spring can be a manifestation of depression.
“Spring headache is also often associated with increased anxiety. If a person tends to worry more than usual in the spring, he may encounter such a problem. In the spring, people may experience asthenic syndrome – a general weakness: the body is depleted by a lack of sun, vitamins, ”the doctor said.
For beauty and strong immunity: 6 foods to add to your diet this spring:
Black currant. In 100 grams of this berry – 200 milligrams of ascorbic acid. Black currant has anti-inflammatory properties, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the lymph nodes and adrenal glands.
Bulgarian pepper. In a 100-gram serving of sweet bell pepper – 200 milligrams of vitamin C. This vegetable thins the blood, strengthens blood vessels and eyesight.
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To prevent the onset of tension headache (THX – the so-called pain that occurs in response to mental stress as a result of acute or chronic stress), it is worth alternating mental and physical activity. You can go to the spa, massage, do fitness, team sports, walk more, advised the neurologist Gayfutdinov.
In addition, migraine often depends on geophysical factors, Evgeny Shirokov, an angioneurologist and head of the STOP-stroke service, continued the topic in an interview with an RBC correspondent.
In the spring, atmospheric pressure and insolation change (irradiation of surfaces with sunlight – approx. RBC Life), so migraine attacks may occur more often with the beginning of spring days.
Cold wind and cold factors also play a role, because headaches are often associated with inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, plus seasonal infections make their contribution.
“A person with a migraine usually knows that attacks can become more frequent in the spring. He can start preventive treatment, after consulting with his doctor. You can take a course of massage, try not to overwork, normalize the daily routine. If the headache is associated with psychogenic factors, you can drink valerian. It is worth being outdoors more, doing gymnastics, doing yoga – all these are good preventive measures.
If the pain is associated with mental illness, then you need to visit a doctor to adjust the dose of drugs that the patient takes, said Dr. Shirokov.
Earlier, an endocrinologist, doctor of medical sciences Zukhra Pavlova said that taking vitamin D can improve the psychological state. She explained this phenomenon by the fact that the prohormone affects the nervous system and helps to normalize the emotional background.
Worry and anxiety can lead to headaches. The best anti-stress tips have been collected in the gallery:
Show light. Bright fluorescent lights are not what you need when you are feeling stressed. Instead, buy warm orange lamps and place them throughout your home. These small islands of light are much better at soothing the eyes and therefore helping to relax at home.
Light candles. The process of lighting candles is a pleasure in itself. Since childhood, they have been associated with a holiday, something kind and magical. What’s more, scents like vanilla, lavender, or chamomile can trigger a chemical reaction in the brain that helps you relax. In particular, cucumber-scented candles are said to help with anxiety.
Make pauses. The Swedish “fika” is a tradition of taking a break from work every day to enjoy a hot drink and sweet pastries (like a cinnamon roll!), in peace. Taking small breaks in a busy, difficult day, you switch and give yourself a rest. This is an excellent prevention of overwork.
Listen to music. Listen to songs that make you feel better and give you a good, positive vibe. Romantic ballads, songs from musicals, Christmas carols or Soviet classics – the main thing is that you like it. Half an hour on the way to work, in the car, at home – create a mood for yourself.
Exit the room. Contrary to the advice of the classic, outdoor activities will not be a mistake and are strongly encouraged! If you still think Scandinavian advice is about staying at home, remember the joke that Finns are born with skis on their feet. Long walks, Nordic walking, ice skating, jogging – choose what you like best this time of year.
Invite guests. Gather at home those with whom you are pleased to talk about plans for the future and recklessly play board games. If relations with relatives are a series of provocative questions, let it be a friendly meeting. Be “here and now”, communicate easily: do not discuss politics, money and health.
Be alone with yourself. Turn off your devices, take a hot bath and be alone: watch what you are thinking at this moment, whether you quickly relax or start to worry. Every day we do so many things, we run so fast that it does not give us the opportunity to pay attention to ourselves. And such awareness is the key to psychological health and balance.
Make coffee. It’s probably no secret that Scandinavians are the biggest coffee drinkers in the world. Still, living most of the year in the cold and twilight, they know how to adapt. We do not encourage you to drink coffee in unlimited quantities, but if you also love this drink, a cup of aromatic brewed coffee is a great morning tradition that will set the mood. Unless you have contraindications to caffeine, of course!
Decorate the house. Decorate your home not only for the holiday, but just like that. Garlands, candles, soft pillows, and home fragrances all help create a safe, pleasant, cozy space in your home that makes you feel good. The mere presence of it is therapeutic.
Maintain balance. Like it or not, a balance between work and personal life is the main principle of preventing emotional burnout. In every profession, there can be overtime and big events from time to time, but if it happens regularly, you will leave yourself emotionally drained. Leave the office on time, create a rule like “no work after 8pm” and try to stick to it. You should definitely have a time when you can not check your smartphone and glance at the endless notifications. Sometimes even half an hour in “flight mode” is a great technique to reduce stress and anxiety.
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See also: 6 recommendations for the spring diet. This is what the experts advise