Headache
Headaches are relatively common. There are many causes including lack of food, eye strain, stress, too much alcohol, high blood pressure and caffeine withdrawal.
The location is also variable. They may occur on one or both sides of the head, in the front, or at the back of the head. Tension headaches usually affect both sides of the head and may feel like a tight band across the forehead.
A migraine headache often affects one side of the head and may be accompanied by visual disturbances, sensitivity to light or noise, nausea and vomiting. Common triggers include alcohol, hormonal and stress factors and certain foods such as chocolate.
What can you do to help treat a headache?
You can help by:
- identifying factors that cause the headache and avoiding them;
- taking pain relief medicine and resting;
- applying a wet compress to your head;
- drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet; and
- checking your posture when sitting at desks or computers, particularly if you have shoulder aches and pains.
If the headache is associated with a cold, you should be careful not to duplicate medicines to avoid an overdose of paracetamol. (Some cold remedies have paracetamol as one of several ingredients.)
When should you seek medical advice for a headache?
You should seek medical advice if:
- lying down increases pain;
- straining increases pain;
- the headache is very severe and sudden;
- it is the first time you have had such a severe headache;
- you have had a recent head injury, particularly if it included lack of consciousness;
- you are elderly and the headache originates from the temples (as this may indicate temporal arteritis — a serious condition);
- there are visual disturbances;
- you also have a temperature, stiff neck, vomiting, light sensitivity, or a rash (as these symptoms may indicate meningitis);
- you frequently have headaches (more than one each month);
- your headache has lasted more than 24 hours; or
- the headache is affecting a young child.
Last Reviewed: 12 February 2010
- 1. Headache [revised January 2007]. In: eTG complete [Internet]. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2010 Mar. (Accessed 2010 Mar 22.)
2. Tension headache [revised January 2007]. In: eTG complete [Internet]. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2010 Mar. (Accessed 2010 Mar 22.)
