Preventing and Treating Headaches

If you suffer from headaches, don't despair. For most people, headache pain usually isn't an omen of some terrible disease, but instead is a response to the realities of modern life: stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep. Of course, that doesn't make headaches any less painful. But there are effective strategies for managing and even preventing them.

Headaches can be stubborn, and your patience and insights can help determine which therapies are most likely to succeed. Detailed accounts of your headaches are important, including how long your headaches last, when they occur, and how severe the pain is. Armed with this information, you and your physician can work together to determine which of the many different types of headache you have and plan an appropriate management strategy.

Over-the-counter pain relievers often provide relief for occasional headaches, especially when combined with rest and a bite to eat. Apart from medications, a variety of other approaches — such as stress management, physical therapy, and exercise may prove beneficial. This report discusses a range of headache-management techniques. It also offers in-depth information on the most common kinds of headaches (tension, sinus, and migraine) and their targeted treatment strategies.

For some people, drinking strong, caffeinated black coffee can relieve migraine pain.