Get Headache Relief from the Registered Nurses at NurseWise

ST. LOUIS - June 13, 2014 - PRLog -- Headaches can be a pain to deal with, literally. In honor of Headache Awareness Month (June), the  health care experts from NurseWise, a nurse triage and health education provider, have created a list of lifestyle modifications to  help decrease the onslaught and severity of pain and discomfort associated with headaches.

“As clinical care providers, we want to help bring awareness to headache and migraines issues – and ways people can lessen their suffering from them,” said Kim Tuck, RN, President and CEO of NurseWise. “Although the pain from headaches can range from minor to debilitating, the bigger issue is frequency of headaches. And migraine pain can often be an indicator of more serious medical conditions. Stroke, high blood pressure, chemical imbalances and hay fever are just a few of the conditions related to headache pain. Properly treating these conditions can benefit your overall health and wellbeing.”

Here are some tips from the health experts at NurseWise to help you prevent and manage pain associated with headaches:

1.    Drink up. Hydration is key. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Limiting caffeine intake is another way to prevent headaches. Keep consumption to a maximum of one caffeinated beverage per day.

2.    Eat a balanced diet.  Adopt a diet full of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Eating small meals throughout the day can help to avoid drops in blood sugar.

3.    Pump it up.  Evening walks, biking and hiking are great ways to get the daily dose of exercise your body needs to stimulate your cardiovascular system and release toxins that can cause headaches. Meditation and yoga are proven relaxation methods that can help ease pain and can easily be done in the comfort of your home.

4.    Avoid triggers. Headache triggers are different for everyone and can include red wine, beer, cheese, smoked foods, wheat products, MSG, and artificial sweeteners. While triggers like pollen, changes in barometric pressure, hot humid weather and menstruation are largely unavoidable, you do have the power to control your exposure to some food and household triggers. Pay attention to what you’ve consumed and what you are around when your headaches strike to help identify the things that are most bothersome to you.

5.    Regulate rest.  Readjust your schedule to ensure you’re getting at least six to eight hours of sleepevery night, including weekends. The sleep cycle and being at complete rest is an essential part of your body’s repair and replenish processes. Getting rest helps your body obtain balance, which is another way to decrease headaches and migraines.

6.    Use medication sparingly.  A common problem among headache sufferers is overuse of prescription and over-the-counter pain medications. Prolonged use and overmedication can cause your body to build up immunity to the medication, which can ultimately worsen the frequency and intensity of headaches. Be certain to follow your doctor’s guidance and never exceed recommended dosage amounts.

About NurseWise

NurseWise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation that is in the business of providing multilingual telehealth (nurse triage and health education) services. We partner with health plans, hospitals, providers, colleges and universities, and other specialty organizations to ensure all callers have access to high quality, appropriate care. Our services are designed to encourage callers to become active participants in their health care, engaging in activities that promote appropriate utilization of care resources as well as better health outcomes for individuals and their families. We have provided uninterrupted service every day since 1995. NurseWise experienced Customer Care Professionals and Registered Nurses at our Clinical Care Centers^TM across the country provide Care.Right.Now. through delivery of health information, education, and advice in a culturally and linguistically sensitive manner. NurseWise has locations in Tempe, Ariz.; El Paso, Texas; Tyler, Texas; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; and St. Louis, Mo. For more information, please visit our website or contact us at info@nursewise.com.