Pain from chronic headaches can keep you from doing the things you enjoy. Find relief from headaches with lifestyle changes, relaxation, and safe use of medications.
Types of headaches
Your treatment may depend on the type of headache you have:
- General headaches
- Cluster headaches
- Migraines
- Sinus headaches (sinusitis)
- Tension headaches
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs of a serious condition:
- a sudden, severe headache
- a blow to your head
- a headache with a stiff neck, fever, confusion, vomiting, loss of consciousness (blackout), or pain in your eye or ear.
Track your triggers
There are many possible causes or "triggers" of headaches.
Some common headache triggers include:
- alcohol
- caffeine (coffee, tea, colas, energy drinks)
- change in weather
- food additives such as nitrates and MSG (found in many packaged or processed foods)
- hormonal changes
- hunger or thirst
- lack of sleep
- medication
- stress
Write down what you were doing just before the headache started so you can identify possible triggers. Use a pain journal to help track your symptoms.
What you can do to manage headaches
Avoid headaches before they start with these pain-management tools:
- Relaxation methods help reduce everyday stress in your life.
- Classes at your local Kaiser Permanente facility teach you news ways to cope with headaches.
- Meditations for headache relief can help prevent and relieve headaches.
When you feel a headache coming on, try these pain-relief ideas:
- Sit or lay in a dark room if you are sensitive to light.
- Drink plenty of water. Many headaches are caused by dehydration.
- Eat a small, healthy snack such as whole-wheat toast with peanut butter or a piece of fruit. Your headache might be a sign of hunger.
- If you take medicine for frequent headaches, take it as soon as you feel a headache starting. Don't wait for the headache to get worse.
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