Headache and aftermath: Humein headache kyon hote hai?

Headache and aftermath

Humein headache kyon hote hai? 1 In Manali - Leh section 2 In Waiting Hall No 3 for Govinda Sai

People travel long distances for varying purposes including the need to converse and reach out to a new set of friends. The long distances covered and the mode of transport employed could lead to proceedings that could uplift your sentiments or leave you with anxiety pangs. It is some  of the distances covered amidst a din here and a dust there that prods one to write about them.

The Manali-Leh journey
It was just before half past one in the morning i converged at the Manali bus stand in anticipation of a tempo traveller (mini bus) for Leh. It was my first visit with mixed feelings. Least aware about the topography of the region and the people residing there. The bus started at 2 . After the first halt coming after few minutes, the bus was on a road that had varied challenges. Around five  we had the first opportunity to get drowned in a tea thunder. Not strong but alive enough to keep you posted with ongoing proceedings. We went past Darcha and Sarchu. The halt at Sarchu gave the first hint that the head seem to be in a state of discomfort.
By the time i was 50kms away from Pang i was amidst a splitting headache. In Pang the stoppage was for over an hour and any attempt to retrieve any pain reliever failed. Purchased a woolen cap that could partially disassociate me from pain. Despite putting on the same the headache failed to abate. It was varying in intensity depending on the number of times i pressed my fingers to suppress it and the moment i discontinued the severe pain session returned. When we reached Upshi,  the discovery of a strip of crocin in the pocket brought the relief . I was fortunate the pain started receding after taking one tablet and in 20-odd minutes the pain was gone. The tablet infusion was preceded  by goodday biscuit.

Wait for Govinda Sai in waiting hall in samadhi mandir
In another incident while waiting for Govinda Sai in the samadi mandir the intensity of headache was severe.  The pain had  started the moment i took the morning bath. Two days earlier i had boarded a train and the ride lasted over 24 hours to Manmad. Amidst open windows and no sizeable intake of water, the train ride began to record convulsions by late afternoon.  Once in Shirdi i slept for five hours and that seemed to be not enough. The pain started before eight in the morning and by half past nine during the wait in the waiting hall  it looked to be a repeated session of hammer being brought to the head. Tried all asanas and pressing of fingers against head, no lasting relief could be gained as the moment i used to discontinue the pain used to return.  Perhaps the hall where i sighted Govinda Sai and going past the platform where he rests, the thought on headache almost vanished and appeared once i returned to the lodge.  And only after taking a medicine, the lasting relief came.

From two episodes two things are clear. First take maximum water on all journeys short or long. Second try to be in active mode: walking , stretching and any exposure to outside with windows completely open should be avoided.  Third put on enough clothes. Fourth if on long distance try to keep the head covered. Finally always carry a pain reliever. Some could say the lack of sleep creates the fertile environment for headache to endure. True to a large extent. But more important than that the habit to not take water regularly during journeys precipitates the pain crisis.