Managing a headache
How to manage a headache
There are many ways to manage headaches.
- Stop what you are doing and begin treatment. Don't wait for the headache to get worse.
- Apply a cold, moist cloth or ice pack to your forehead and temples.
- Rest in a quiet, comfortable, dark room.
- Take drugs to stop your headache (abortive medication) as needed.
- Take drugs exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Begin stress management therapy as soon as your headache starts.
- Have a massage to relax tense muscles in your head, neck, temples, face, or jaw.
There are things you can do every day to help prevent headaches.
- Reduce stress.
- Identify and avoid headache triggers by keeping a headache diary
(What is a PDF document?).
- Maintain good posture to avoid muscle tension.
- Live a healthy lifestyle. Get regular sleep, eat nutritious foods regularly, avoid alcohol and drugs, and avoid foods that may trigger your headaches.
- Avoid overexertion. Some headaches can be triggered by intense physical activity.
- Avoid taking non-prescription pain relievers more than 3 times a week because you may get rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are usually triggered after pain medicine has worn off, prompting you to take another dose. Eventually, you get a headache whenever you stop taking the medicine.
Test Your Knowledge
When I first notice signs of a headache, I should try to ignore it and it might go away.
Lying down in a dark, quiet room with a cold cloth over my head may be all I need to do to manage a headache.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: September 17, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology | |
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