Headaches: Overview
Headaches are one of the most common pain-related health problems in both children and adults. You may have a headache along with another minor health problem such as a sore throat, a cold, or a sinus problem.
Types of headaches
Most types of headaches usually aren't dangerous. Some headaches may occur again and again, such as:
- Tension headaches. These are the most common type of headache. They are often caused by stress and emotional strain. Most adults have tension headaches from time to time, and everyone may have different areas of pain.
- Cluster headaches.
- Migraine headaches.
Common causes of headaches
Common causes of headaches may include:
- Stress.
- Skipping meals or not getting enough to eat.
- Sleeping too much or not enough.
- Alcohol use.
- Sinus problems.
- Getting too much or too little caffeine.
- Certain foods or drinks.
In rare cases, a headache may be a symptom of a serious illness or injury.
What are common types of headaches?
Common types of headaches include migraine and tension headaches. The symptoms of these headaches are often similar. Describing a few key symptoms of your headaches may help your doctor find out what type of headache you have. This can help your doctor treat your headaches.
Key features of your headache that you can discuss with your doctor include:
- Where or how bad the pain is.
- What triggers the headache or makes it worse.
- What common symptoms happen along with your headache. These may include nausea, a runny or stuffy nose, or sensitivity to light or noise.
Using good posture to help prevent headaches
Good posture and good body mechanics can help prevent tension in your neck, shoulders, and upper back muscles. If your headaches seem to be related to tension in this area, maintaining good posture during daily activities may help prevent headaches.
Use good body mechanics all the time, not just when you have a headache or back pain. Here are some things you can do.
- Keep your back in the neutral position.
The key to good back posture is to keep the right amount of curve in your lower back—not too curved and not too flat.
- Use good sitting posture for computer work.
Adjust your monitor so that the top of the screen is at eye level.
- Sit straight in your chair.
- Sit with your lower back supported, feet flat on the floor, and shoulders relaxed.
- If you sit a lot, take breaks once an hour to stretch your neck and back muscles.
- Use a headset or speaker if you use the phone a lot.
Don't cradle the phone between your shoulder and your ear.
- Make sure that your work surface is at a comfortable level.
Avoid reaching up or down to your work.
- Avoid locking your knees while standing.
When you stand for long periods of time, put one foot on a small stool. Switch feet now and then.
- Use proper lifting techniques.
Lift with your legs, not your back.
- Avoid exercises that require you to hyperextend your neck.
Bike riding is one example of this.
What medicines are used to prevent headaches?
Preventive medicines are used to avoid severe or chronic headaches, such as migraines or cluster headaches. They are not used to treat headaches after they begin.
Examples of preventive medicines are:
- Anticonvulsants.
- Antidepressants.
- Beta-blockers.
- Botulinum toxin.
- Calcium channel blockers.
In order for these medicines to work, you will need to use them exactly as your doctor tells you to. You may need to take them daily even when you do not have a headache. Some people only have to take preventive medicines for a few months. Other people need to take them long-term. Botulinum toxin is given as multiple shots.
Managing a headache: Overview
Most of the time, headaches get better or go away with home treatment and don't require a visit to a doctor. Home treatment for headaches can often help reduce how long you have pain and how severe it is. Start home treatment as soon as you can.
If your doctor has prescribed a specific treatment for your headaches, begin treatment as soon as a headache starts. Be sure to follow the doctor's instructions when you take any prescription medicine for your headache.
If you are taking headache medicine more than 2 days a week, talk with your doctor. Taking medicine too often can cause more headaches. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment for your headaches.
Headaches: Keeping a Diary
Headache: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have signs of a stroke. These may include:
- Sudden numbness, paralysis, or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have a new or worse headache.
- Your headache gets much worse.
Using your daily routine to find headache triggers
Having a routine, where you do the same things every day and at the same times, can help you find things that trigger your headaches. If you change this routine and get a headache, then you may have found a trigger.
- Get regular exercise.
If you do have a headache while you exercise, write down the activity you were doing, the weather, and what you ate that day. Very hard exercise can trigger a headache.
- Keep regular sleep patterns.
Sleeping too much or too little can trigger headaches. If you do get a headache when your sleep pattern has changed, this may be a trigger that you can control.
- Eat regularly.
Skipping meals or going a long time without eating can trigger a headache.
- Watch what you eat.
Many foods—such as cheese, red wine, chocolate, and foods or drinks with caffeine—are triggers. If you think that something you ate could have triggered a headache, you may want to try to avoid that food for a few months to see if your headaches get better.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
This is even more important when you exercise or it's hot outside. Not getting enough water can trigger a headache.
- Manage your stress as best you can.
You may not be able to control stressful events. But you may be able to control how you react to stress. Relaxation exercises or biofeedback may help reduce your stress level.
Over time, you may see a pattern to your headaches. Keeping a headache diary can help you to see these patterns. When you find your triggers, you can take steps to avoid or manage them.
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