About this topic
Headache is the word used to describe aching or pain in the head. There are many types of headaches. Some of them are: ‚
- Headaches that go along with an illness or injury. These may be caused by a virus. They can also happen when you do not get enough to drink.
- Tension type headaches. These are not often bad enough to keep you from doing daily activities. You may feel tightness in the muscles around the head, neck, and shoulders.
- Migraine headaches. These often start off mild and get worse. You are often not able to do normal activities. This kind of headache may also have other signs with it like throwing up and being sensitive to light or sound.
- Cluster headaches happen again and again. The pain is burning, sharp, and steady. The pain may happen behind or around your eye. It can also include one side of your face. Signs can include a stuffed, runny nose and red, watery eyes. They can be brought on by smoking, heat, and bright lights. Certain drugs can also cause this type of headache.
- Sinus headache is often mistaken for a migraine. The pain is dull and throbbing. The pain happens behind the nose, eyes, forehead, and cheekbones. This is often due to swelling of the sinuses (sinusitis). If you have a fever and greenish yellow discharge from your nose, you may have a sinus headache
Not all headaches need a doctors attention. Some kinds may be a sign of a serious problem. Treatment for headaches will depend on what is causing them. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Keep a diary about your headaches. Write down when the headache happens. Include what you were doing before it happened. Write down what you ate before the headache and how much sleep you got. This will help you learn what might be causing your headaches. Then, you can learn how to avoid them.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over your head. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Lie down in a quiet, dark room.
- Get enough sleep. Sleeping too much or too little may cause headache.
- Do not drive or run machinery if your eyesight changes when you have a headache.
- Do not make any big decisions until your headache goes away.
- Monitor and limit the time you spend watching TV or using a computer.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may want to do tests if the headache comes back. The results will help the doctor understand what kind of headache you have and what causes it. Together you can make a plan for more care.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs based on the type of headache you have. The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent or stop the headache
- Treat upset stomach and throwing up
- Treat high blood pressure
- Treat low mood
- Treat hormonal imbalance
Will physical activity be limited?
Headaches may be painful enough to stop you from doing your normal activities. The pain may make you stay at home from work or school. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Make sure you eat at regular times. Do not skip meals.
- Drink lots of fluids. This will help prevent a headache.
- Limit your caffeine intake. Too much caffeine may trigger your headache.
What problems could happen?
Headache may be related to a more serious health condition. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Know the factors that may trigger your headache.
- Go to sleep and get up at the same time every day.
- Get regular exercise and eat a balanced diet. Good health habits may help prevent headaches.
- Limit screen time. This includes watching TV, using computers, and playing video games.
- Take drugs to prevent headaches. Your doctor may give you drugs to cut down on how long the headache lasts. This can also help cut down on how long you will have an attack.
- Avoid stress. Learn how to cope with situations that create stress. Try to relax.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking. These can make headaches worse.
- Hold the phone rather than cradling it on your shoulder, or use a headset.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Headache after a head injury. Go to the ER right away.
- Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills
- Change in your headaches. These include headaches that awaken you from sleep, headaches happen more often or get worse, headaches are different than before, headache is very bad or sudden
- Headache lasts more than a few days or it is not made better by drugs and other treatment
- Throwing up
- Behavioral changes
- Stiff neck
- Pain is worse when you lie down
- Blurred eyesight and this makes you sick
- Trouble sleeping
- Passing out
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if there is a change in my headaches.
Where can I learn more?
American Family Physician ‚
http://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=10 ‚
National Headache Foundation ‚
http://www.headaches.org/education/Tools_for_Sufferers/Headache_-_Frequently_Asked_Questions ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/headache.htm ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/headache/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚