HEADACHES

What Causes Headaches?

Headaches are very common. Some people have one every day, others once a week or less. Most headaches are caused by muscle tension. These can be felt either in the back or front of the head, may often occur at the end of the day, and will go away with rest.

Some people have migraine headaches. These are usually severe headaches occurring on one side of the head. Sometimes they are bad enough to cause nausea and vomiting. Before the headache begins, you may notice strange smells or flashing lights in front of your eyes. Often, more than one family member will get migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are usually harmless.

Other causes of headaches include colds, the flu, sinus infections, eye strain, and head injury. Many people worry that their headaches may be from a tumor or meningitis. However, these are very unusual causes of headache.

What Is The Home Treatment For A Headache?

The best treatment for most headaches is rest. Lie down in a quiet, dark room and try to relax.
Take aspirin or Tylenol® every four hours as needed. (Do not use aspirin in babies, children, or teenagers unless recommended by your doctor.)
Place a warm towel over your forehead or behind your neck.
Massage your neck muscles and forehead to aid relaxation.
Time is the best cure.

When Should You Call Your Doctor?

Call your doctor right away if:

your headache is so severe you cannot do your normal work.
the headache is accompanied by vomiting, high fever, or difficulty seeing or walking.

Make an appointment to discuss your headaches if:

they are mild but occur frequently.
you think you may have migraine headaches. Your doctor may be able to give you some medicine to prevent them or decrease the number.

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