Treatment of Headache

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

Tension-type headaches are usually treated on a self-care basis with relaxation techniques or with over-the-counter painkillers taken at the time of the headache.

Painkillers

Taking a painkiller such as paracetamol usually works well to relieve a tension-type headache. It is best to take a full dose as soon as a headache starts, a second dose can be taken after 4 hours if necessary.
Taking ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory painkiller) is an alternative. Anti-inflammatories may be more effective than paracetamol for some people.
Codeine can be used with caution because of the increased chance of causing medicine overuse headache and addiction. A short course can be used for a severe headache.

As with all medicines, always follow the instructions on the packet.

Prolonged use of painkillers will eventually cause withdrawal headaches, they should not be taken for more than a few days at a time and should not be taken to prevent a headache but taken at the time of the headache.

Relaxation

Hot flannel to forehead or neck.
Exercise/ Yoga/ relaxation exercises.
Massage of shoulders and neck.

Consult a GP immediately if a severe headache lasts for more than 24 hours, and does not respond to any self-care treatment, or is coupled other symptoms such as blurred vision or vomiting.

Cluster headaches do not respond to over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol. There are a number of other drugs that can be used to treat cluster headaches, but they are not manufactured specifically for this purpose, and must only be used under the guidance of a specialist. Some drugs are used to treat a cluster headache after it has started, when standard painkillers are ineffective. This is called acute treatment and includes the following:

Sumatriptan. This is a drug that may be given by injection to treat cluster headache, and usually gives fast relief from acute attacks.
Breathing pure oxygen is the safest way to treat a cluster headache. It needs to be breathed at a rate of 7-12 litres per minute at the start of an attack, and takes around 15-20 minutes to work.

If attacks of cluster headaches are frequent or last over 3 weeks, preventative treatments are usually necessary. This means starting treatment as soon as the period of headaches begins, and stopping treatment as soon as the period ends. Again, these drugs must only be administered under the guidance and close monitoring of a specialist:

Verapamil: This drug is effective at preventing cluster headaches, but the heart must be closely monitored with ECGs (electrocardiograms) when the dose is increased.
Lithium can be used alongside careful monitoring of blood levels to prevent side effects.
Ergotamine may be used on an intermittent basis but it should not be used for prolonged periods. Ergotamine causes temporary narrowing of blood vessels throughout the body, and therefore is not prescribed to those with poor circulation.
Methysergide is effective at preventing cluster headaches. However, it should only be used when other treatment has not worked, and should not be continued for longer than six months.

Corticosteroid drugs can be used to provide temporary relief from the attacks whilst one of the preventative treatments listed above is being introduced.