How are cold and flu related to headaches and migraines?

Today we're talking about immunity, cold headaches, and how they all interrelate together. If you're wondering about a headache from common cold issues or the likelihood of headache common cold experiences, stay tuned.

Hi, I'm Dr. Beth, osteopath here at Melbourne Headache Solutions. I am coming to you now from my living room because I have a chest infection at the moment, which has been particularly annoying, prolonged, and relatively severe. I've been spending the last week on my couch and in bed, not really doing very much, not being able to move very much or else, it sets off a coughing attack. I've had to lie down for most of the time which means lots of fluids and lots of rest.

Since a lot of people in Australia, particularly Victoria, and other places in the world, have been isolating from one another, wearing masks, using a lot of hand sanitizers, and just staying away from each other, there's been a decrease incident of colds and flus, which has been really nice if you've experienced this. Over the last year, I haven't experienced a cold or a flu so much as a sniffle and it’s been fantastic! It's been great! And people that I know who have got children said there's been less incidences of colds or sniffles and those sorts of things in childcare. This means that they haven't been bringing those colds home to their parents and that everybody's immune system has taken a bit of a break.

Now that colds and flus are starting to resurface, because our immune system took a bit of a break, people are kind of getting hit harder and longer with their colds and their flus. So, don't be surprised if when you get your first cold (if you haven't already had it), it lasts longer, if it's a bit more severe than you the colds and flus you had in the past. Through speaking to some doctors, they will agree with me that basically, it's because our immune system is a bit decreased at the moment. In other words, we do actually need a regular exposure to colds and flus and bugs and germs for our immune system to stay strong and healthy.

How do colds and flus really relate to headaches and migraines?

Well, if you're experiencing headaches or migraines, then when you get a cold or flu, one of the most common symptoms of a cold or a flu is to get a headache or migraine. Most commonly you will experience headache but if you're a migraineur, it's quite common for a cold or flu to set off a migraine attack. If you already have headaches or if you already have migraines and then you add the cold headache or the symptoms of a cold or flu on top of having migraine attacks, then it tends to make them more severe or more frequent which can be very frustrating.

How do I prevent cold headaches and/or migraines?

The first thing that you need to especially now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic is to make sure that our immune system is supported as possible. You can do this by taking immune system support supplements such as vitamin A, E, D, and C –they're all really good. You also want to make sure that you're supported in terms of zinc and iron. Echinacea is also a really good supplement in terms of helping to boost the immune system. As always, when it comes time for taking supplements, you do want to make sure that they're not contraindicated for you and any medications that you might be taking. So, before starting anything, just make sure that it's okay with your pharmacist. It doesn't mean that you need to take all of these things. Some of these things might be better for you and that it might be a better combination or one of these things might be appropriate. So again, maybe just have a chat to your pharmacist and see what they might recommend for you and your situation.

When it comes time for colds and flus, you end up spending a lot of time resting, lying down, or sitting down to help support yourself and recover. When this happens, you tend to be more stagnant than usual. I know for one, since I basically spent all day lying down (which is something that I wouldn't usually do), that this means that everything stiffens up. Your neck gets stiff, your back get stiff, and everything just stiffens and tightens up. Since we know that the top three joints in our neck are significantly implicated in headaches and migraines, if your neck stiffens up too much due coughing or sneezing or lying down and resting and just being too stagnant, then it means you're going to see an increase frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines as well. So, you want to make sure that you keep your neck moving on a regular basis by doing things like neck circles, gentle stretching, doing some gentle massage on through the back of your neck when it's been getting stiff. Personally, I make sure that when I've been lying down, I'm in an ergonomic posture, and when I moved to the couch and I lied down, I take my great pillow that I know that works for me. I also make sure that I'm not getting into a weird and wonderful position, and that I put on some anti-inflammatory gel on the back of my neck just to make sure that things aren't getting too stiff and too tight.

Another thing is that if you're particularly blocked up in through the face, you’re having sinus, your nose is blocked, and you can just feel pressure in through the face, then you can do some massage on your face. Go over the eyebrows and just underneath the eyebrow in through the corner, and if it's particularly tender, it means you found a good spot. You can massage both sides of your eyebrows then, you can come down across the cheek, and again, if it feels puffy or if it feels tender, you've found some good spots. So, it's helping to release the mucus in through your sinuses. You can come down through the side of your face because you've got some lymph nodes and we want to help release lymph nodes coming under the chin, and again, helping to release lymph nodes. And then you come down the SCM muscles, and again, release the lymph nodes and we're helping to drain the face. So that's the last thing that you want to do. Go from the top and work down –that will help to release the face. If it's painful, if it's tender, then work on it until you feel like there's been a change in the tenderness. If it's not particularly tender, then maybe you don't have to work that spot for quite as well.

Now, if you've been coughing quite a lot like I have, then you want to make sure that your upper body, your thoracic spine, your mid back, stays mobile and open. If you get too much stiffness in through your upper back, then it can transfer up into your neck and you can also see an increase in headaches and migraines. You’ll also feel a lot more discomfort and tightness, and if you are particularly tight in through your thoracic spine and ribs, then it can increase your coughing and discomfort in through that general area as well. So, you want to help try to release that area by doing gentle twists, rotation through the spine, stretching out your pecs, and you can also do some things like being on your hands and knees and arching your chest backwards and forwards.

All those things I just mentioned should help mitigate how cold or flu can impact your headaches and migraines. We are seeing an increase incident, particularly in Victoria and Melbourne, of colds and flus at the moment because we're going back to a more normal state –post COVID. It's a good thing that we're going back to a more normal state, but we will see an increase in colds and flus because we're not staying isolated or as separated away from one another anymore. So, as I said, when you do get a cold, it is slightly more severe than it was the last time you had it. Don't be surprised because this is actually quite normal and common and once you're feeling better from your cold, then your headaches and your migraines should decrease with that –it should return back to the state that you were beforehand.

One more thing, don’t forget to keep up your fluids. When you are sick, sometimes you will reach for your comfort food –you will reach for junk food. This can actually stir up your system. Make sure that you are reaching still for your regular fruits or your healthy foods to help to support your immune system and your general body system. So don't forget to eat healthy.

In conclusion, maintaining a robust immune system, staying mobile, and adopting healthy habits can help mitigate the impact of colds and flus on headaches and migraines. As always, consult with healthcare professionals for tailored advice. Stay healthy!

Hopefully this helps you navigate through colds and flus. If you have any questions, please let me know, and if you want to get clear and comprehensive guidance for your headaches and migraines, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation with our osteopaths or simply visit us at melbourneheadachesolutions.com.au.

 

Your Questions Answered

How do colds and flus relate to headaches and migraines?

Colds and flus often trigger headaches and migraines, with headaches being a common symptom alongside the illness. For migraine sufferers, colds and flus can even induce migraine attacks, making existing headaches or migraines more severe or frequent due to the body's weakened immune state during illness.

How can I prevent cold headaches and migraines?

Boost your immune system with supplements like vitamins A, E, D, and C, zinc, iron, and echinacea to reduce the risk of colds and flus, and subsequently, cold-related headaches and migraines. Ensure supplements are safe for you by consulting with a pharmacist, especially if you're taking other medications. Additionally, maintain good posture, mobility, and hydration to minimise stiffness that can exacerbate headaches and migraines during illness.

How does stiffness from colds and flus impact headaches and migraines?

Stiffness from colds and flus can worsen headache and migraine frequency and intensity by affecting the neck and shoulders. Immobility and lack of movement during illness contribute to this stiffness, which can be mitigated by gentle stretches, massages, and posture adjustments to maintain neck and spine mobility. Stay hydrated, eat healthily, and seek personalised advice from healthcare professionals to manage headaches and migraines during colds and flus effectively.

 

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