As a kid I loved summers, I still do. Summers have always exuded a very jovial and cheerful vibe for me. But one thing about this season that is as bad as the excruciatingly high temperatures is the headache which it causes among most of us. And what makes it worse is most of us pay no heed to the symptoms and carry on with our routine lives.
Cluster Headaches or Migraines are what they are. When I first experienced it during my college days I was afraid I might be facing a severe case of migraine. However, a quick Saridon would relieve me of my woes. I happened to ignore it as it used to last only for a few hours during the day unlike a severe migraine which is more intense and lasts a lot longer.
These headaches are invariably triggered by weather changes and can occur anytime while lasting for 30 minutes to 4 hours. During these constant headaches below are the symptoms that I experienced:
- Extreme pain in my temples
- Pain in the temples above the left or right eye or both.
- Pain behind the ears
- Watering of eyes and nose
- Seeing spots or flashes of lights and temporary loss of vision
- Tiredness of the eyes
Every time I was exposed to the sun, especially during summers, I would face the above symptoms. If you are facing them too, then here are the tips to keep your headaches away this summer.
- Protect yourself from the sun
Don’t you dare head out unprotected during summers! Ample amounts of sunscreen, sun glasses, a scarf to cover your face and a cap or hat can serve as your armor. I would have advised you to stay home during the blistering days, but for the adventurous ones like me who do not listen, you better keep yourself protected from the sun if you don’t want the rest of your day ruined.
- Keep your sunscreen close and your water bottle closer
Dehydration is the main cause of the persistent headaches. Drink loads of water and I mean loads. The amount you drink during winters is not enough for your body to cope up during summer. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and sodas which can cause dehydration too. A lot of fruit juices are the way to go. Watermelon is my personal favorite.
- Strenuous activities- not recommended
Exercise and maintain your fitness level, but do not overdo it. Especially, not without air conditioning! Avoid strenuous activities or outdoor exercises. However swimming can be a good option. It keeps you refreshed and fit too.
- Perfumes and fragrances? Stay away
If you are the one who loves spraying and reveling in luxurious amounts of perfumes and fragrances then you might as well start avoiding it if you suffer from constant headaches. They may be a reason for your irritation. Mild deodorants are your best bet for the season.
- Eat, drink and sleep well
Eating and drinking healthy can help you in a long way to relieve you of the painful headaches. A healthy routine is what you want. Not completing your stipulated amounts of sleep (6-8 hours a day) may not be the smartest thing to do. You will end up being grumpy the whole day. So sleep well; after all, its summer!
A time to relax and enjoy with friends and family!