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Headaches: Treatment depends on your diagnosis and symptoms
Are the headaches dull and achy?
Are the headaches throbbing and severe?
Do you have headaches nearly every day?
Do the headaches recur for weeks at a time?
Do you take pain medication more than 2 or 3 days a week?
Content
Tension-type headaches
Migraines
Recognize emergency symptoms
Take control
Are the headaches dull and achy?
Tension-type headaches, the most common variety of headaches:
- May be experienced as a tight band of pain around your head, a dull ache or pressure
- May cause mild to moderate pain on both sides of the head
- May be triggered by stress, neck strain, missed meals, depression, anxiety or lack of sleep
- Vary widely in frequency
- Can be occasional
- May occur more than 15 days a month (chronic)
- Last from 30 minutes to a week
Treatment
Most intermittent tension-type headaches are easily treated with over-the-counter medications, including:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
Daily prescription medications, including tricyclic antidepressants, may manage tension-type headaches. Medications combined with behavior therapies may be more effective.
In addition, alternative therapies aimed at stress reduction may help. They include:
- Meditation
- Relaxation training
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Biofeedback
- Massage and gentle neck stretches
- Heat therapy (warm compress or shower)
