Self-Care for Headaches

Most headaches aren't serious and can be relieved with self-care. But some headaches may be a sign of another health problem like eye trouble or high blood pressure. To find the best treatment, learn what kind of headaches you get. For tension headaches, self-care will usually help. To treat migraines, ask your healthcare provider for advice. It's also possible to get both tension and migraine headaches. Self-care involves relieving the pain and preventing headache "triggers" if you can.

Ways to reduce pain and tension

Man in bed in darkened room.

Try these steps:

Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the pain site.
Drink fluids. If nausea makes it hard to drink, try sucking on ice.
Rest. Protect yourself from bright light and loud noises.
Calm your emotions by imagining a peaceful scene.
Massage tight neck, shoulder, and head muscles.
To relax muscles, soak in a hot bath or use a hot shower.

Use medicines

Aspirin or other over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can relieve headache. Remember: Never give aspirin to anyone 18 years old or younger because of the risk of getting Reye syndrome. Use pain medicines only when needed. Certain prescription and OTC medicines can lead to rebound headaches if they are taken too often. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about your medicines.

Track your headaches

Keeping a headache diary can help you and your healthcare provider identify what's causing your headaches:

Note when each headache happens.
Identify your activities and the foods you've eaten 6 to 8 hours before the headache began.
Look for any trends or "triggers."
Bring the information to your next medical appointment.

Signs of tension headache

Any of the following can be signs:

Dull pain or feeling of pressure in a tight band around your head
Pain in your neck or shoulders
Headache without a definite beginning or end
Headache after an activity, such as driving or working on a computer

Signs of migraine

Any of the following can be signs:

Throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head
Nausea or vomiting
Extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smells
Bright spots, flashes, or other visual changes
Pain or nausea so severe that you can't continue your daily activities

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider if any of the following occur:

A headache that lingers after a recent injury or bump to the head
A headache that lasts for more than 3 days
Frequent headaches, especially in the morning

Get medical care right away if you have:

A headache along with slurred speech, changes in your vision, or numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
Headaches with seizures
A fever with a stiff neck or pain when you bend your head toward your chest
A headache that you would call "the worst headache you have ever had" or a severe, persistent headache that gets worse or doesn't get better with treatment