HOLIDAY HEADACHE RISK: THE DECALOGUE FOR A SUMMER WITH A CLEAR MIND

Going on vacation often turns out to be a stressful and tiring situation: reservations, suitcases, endless lists of things to do and when the moment of departure comes you face queues in cars, long hours of flights, irregular meals between stations, airports and rest areas . Finally, relaxation can begin and here comes the headache, a nuisance that accompanies the start of a holiday for many Italians. A very widespread risk, as explained by Gennaro Bussone, Primary Emeritus of the C. Besta Neurological Institute of Milan and Honorary President of ANIRCEF: "Many people are affected in the first days of vacation by episodes of headache, with pain of varying intensity, mainly due to the stress our body undergoes due to the lifestyle change that marks the beginning of the holidays. Headaches are often caused by an alteration of our biological clock and the holiday is a time of the year when eating habits are often changed and so are the normal sleep-wake rhythm. These changes can lead to the onset of headache episodes, mostly of the tension type and occasional. Marked climate and altitude changes can also contribute ".

It is important to pay attention to too sudden changes in lifestyle or behaviors that can alter the balance of the organism. - explains Bussone - It is also useful to think about remedies to pack, to intervene in case of headache and stop it before the pain becomes more intense and disabling. Among the various solutions, ibuprofen offers a good efficacy and safety profile and acts quickly, blocking the evolution of the headache episode. Physical activity and a healthy diet are important to help the body get used to the new holiday rhythms ".

The 10 tips, by prof. Gennaro Bussone, primary emeritus of the C. Besta Neurological Institute of Milan and Honorary President of Anircef

1. The preparations

In the days before departure, prepare for the change of pace, trying to rest and taking a few short breaks.

2. The suitcase

Pack anti-inflammatory and analgesic remedies, such as ibuprofen, which are useful for intervening to block pain if necessary.

3. The journey

During the trip, do not neglect a healthy and nutritious diet, starting with a good breakfast based on readily available sugars (eg honey, jam and fruit).

4. Sleep

In the first few days of vacation try to avoid sudden changes in your lifestyle, for example in the sleep-wake rhythm. Sleeping too much for the body is also a cause of headaches in particular in those who are predisposed. We must always keep in mind that migraine is a pathology of our biological clocks.

5. Physical activity

Doing physical activity to help the body adapt to the new rhythm. It is enough to take long walks in the open air.

6. The environment and the climate

Avoid marked changes in time zone or altitude, especially in the first days of vacation, when the body is not yet accustomed to the new environment.

7. Nutrition

Pay attention to your diet and try not to upset your eating habits. On vacation, a few exceptions to the rule are allowed, but we must not exaggerate.

8. Relax

Relaxation must also be gradual. Engaging in recreational activities is useful for gradually moving from the city work pace to the holiday pace.

9. Don't wait

If headache symptoms begin to manifest, do not wait for the pain to intensify, but intervene immediately with an anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, to prevent the headache episode from reaching its peak (if the episodes are intensify and recur frequently, however, it is necessary to carry out further investigations with the help of experts).

10. Live your holiday with serenity

Avoid turning the holiday itself into a source of stress with hectic schedules and excessive commitments, a serene approach is a good antidote to headaches!