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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
Tension-type headaches
Tension-type headaches, the most common variety of headaches:
- Might be felt as a tight band of pain around your head, a dull ache or pressure
- Might cause mild to moderate pain on both sides of the head
- 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 occasional 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, might manage chronic tension-type headaches. Alternative therapies aimed at stress reduction might help. They include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Biofeedback
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
