Many of us have become more anxious as a result of COVID-19, and for some, it has triggered more illnesses and headaches.
A headache by itself does not indicate that you have COVID-19. However, for most people who develop headaches as a result of the virus, it is usually the first symptom to appear.
If you are not prone to headaches in general and suddenly start getting them, you should get tested.
Nevertheless, most people who suffer from lingering headaches may have difficulty sleeping, experience low appetite, and have difficulty avoiding stress and fatigue. Yoga therapy can address all of these symptoms through breathwork (pranayama), physical movement (asana) and hand postures (mudra).
Holistic Post Covid Headache Treatment
Nyāsa, or the mindful touching of a particular part of the body, is a very effective method for relieving headache pain. Often lying still when experiencing head pain is uncomfortable and
moving around can be impossible. This simple technique shifts the focus away from my
Pain and relaxes the nervous system.
1) Place the thumb of one hand on the base of the index finger. Inhale and slowly slide
the thumb up the length of finger, and then exhale and slowly slide the thumb down
to the base again.
2) Move the thumb, along the base of the finger joints to the middle finger and inhale as
you slide the thumb up to the tip of the middle finger, then exhale as you slide the
thumb down to the base.
3) Move the thumb over to the base of the ring finger and inhale sliding the thumb up
to the top of the ring finger, and exhale sliding the thumb back down.
4) Do the same technique with the thumb and pinky finger.
5) Repeat the whole hand 2X as often as needed.
Headache can affect any part of the head, and pain may be present in one or several locations. Headaches also cause various types of pain. This may be primary or secondary,
A primary headache may be due to overactivity of — or problems in — pain-sensitive structures in the head, including: specific areas of the brain, blood vessels and brain chemicals, but can also be related to muscular tension in other parts of the body.
If you are prone to muscular tension in the neck and shoulders, doing some simple movements coordinated with breath, can help to relax the muscles around the head.
For example:
- Sitting up straight or lying on your back, inhale the breath along your spince.
- Exhale the breath and turn your head to one side.
- When you feel the need to inhale your next breath, slowly bring your head back to center.
- Repeat on the other side,
- Alternate breathing and movement on each side 8x
In secondary headaches, this can result from serious health issues. Here are some lists of red flags that are considered life threatening and require immediate attention: neurological symptoms like seizure, loss of consciousness, confusion, fever, thunderclap headaches, headache worsened by coughing, sneezing, or exercise. Headache occurring in those with a history of tumors, and being above 50 years old.
The likelihood of experiencing a headache as a symptom of COVID-19 may also depend partly on the variant of the coronavirus causing it.
How does COVID-19 cause headaches?
The virus can cause headaches in a variety of ways. The virus causes: Inflammation around the brain and inside the brain, inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body (including the brain), dehydration and fever. One thing we know about Yoga is that it reduces inflammation. By slowing down the breath, we can slow down flow of blood to the heart and other vital organs.
While sitting or lying, try this simple breathing exercise.
- Inhale your breath to the count of 4.
- Exhale your breath to the count of 4.
- Do this for six breaths
- On the seventh breath, keep your inhale at 4 and increase your exhale to the count of 6
- Do this for 6 breaths.
How long do COVID-19 headaches last?
Usually it will take 10 to 14 days but people can still experience headaches even after they recover.
Right now, it is not clear how long headaches due to long COVID last. But based on current research, most people can expect symptoms to last 6 to 12 months, and possibly longer.
Header: So, what is the best way to treat COVID headache?
Stay hydrated, especially if you have a fever. Drink plenty of warm or room temperature water or tea throughout the day. Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, understands that warm water is much easier for the body to receive than cold water, which requires energy from your system to assimilate, that could be better spent fighting your virus.
Doctors may prescribe taking over-the-counter pain relievers for COVID-19 symptoms, including headaches. If you choose to do this, make sure to follow the directions and correct dosage on the prescription provided by the healthcare professional.
Try a warm or cool compress if you are having tension headaches apply this for at least 15 to 20 minutes, this will help.
When experiencing a severe headache, it is often difficult to give attention to anything else. This is why many people require quiet, dark environments for the duration of their headaches. Using finger Niyasa can be very helpful during the most intense part of a headache. It soothes the sensory input and can provide significant relief from the pain. Practicing extended exhale breath several times throughout the day can have drastic improvements on the nervous system.
Keep in mind that there are many causes of headaches, and certain types of headaches can be a sign of a serious medical condition. If you are not sure whether your headache could be a sign of something more serious, seek immediate medical attention.