Many headaches are generally triggered by stress, fatigue, or a missed meal. Some rest, relaxation, or a bite to eat, perhaps together with an over-the-counter pain reliever, often provides the needed relief. One downside to common pain relievers is that while they may stop the pain, they often don't solve the problem. Indeed, continual use of such medication can cause your body's pain-quenching system to become lazy. Over time, many people require stronger doses of medication to get relief. When the medicine wears off, you may develop a headache, known as a "rebound headache".
If you need to take a nonprescription medication more than a couple times a week, you're suffering from regular, rather than occasional, headaches, and you should see your doctor. Also, talk to your doctor if over-the-counter medications don't ease your pain. Remember, your doctor is the best source of information on how best to manage your headache symptoms.
Your physician will consider a range of factors including the type and intensity of your headache, other health problems you have, and other medications you take. It may take some time and effort to identify the most effective medical therapy or combination of medical therapies, but patience and persistence pay off.
Many people who have frequent headaches, particularly those with daily headaches, also face other medical conditions that impair their quality of life, such as insomnia, fibromyalgia, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. If you think you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor. They can cause or aggravate your headaches, so prompt medical attention to these concerns is an important part of addressing your headache pain.