A headache can appear at the worst possible time and make it difficult to work, concentrate, exercise, or even relax. Sometimes the cause seems obvious, such as a stressful day or too little sleep. Other times, a headache seems to come out of nowhere.
Most occasional headaches are not a sign of a serious medical problem. Simple measures can often help relieve the discomfort, although the right approach depends on what caused the headache. Here are seven things you can try when your head starts hurting — and the warning signs you should never ignore.
1. Drink Some Water
Dehydration can contribute to headaches, so drinking water is one of the simplest things to try. Think about how much fluid you have consumed during the day, especially after exercise, spending time in hot weather, traveling, or drinking alcohol. You do not need to force yourself to drink excessive amounts of water. Instead, drink regularly throughout the day and pay attention to thirst. If dehydration contributed to your headache, restoring your normal fluid intake may help you feel better.
2. Eat Something If You Skipped a Meal
Skipping meals can trigger headaches in some people, particularly if you have gone many hours without eating. If you missed breakfast or lunch and a headache followed, have a normal meal or nutritious snack rather than continuing to work on an empty stomach. Regular eating patterns may also help people who notice that hunger frequently accompanies their headaches. Keeping track of when headaches occur can make it easier to identify whether missed meals consistently act as a trigger.
3. Take a Break From Your Screen
Hours spent looking at a computer or phone can contribute to eye strain and may make an existing headache more uncomfortable. Give your eyes regular breaks, adjust your screen brightness, and make sure you have adequate lighting in the room. Your posture matters too. Sitting with your neck and shoulders in an uncomfortable position for hours can create tension that contributes to head and neck discomfort. Stand up, move around, relax your shoulders, and give yourself a few minutes away from the screen.
4. Rest Somewhere Quiet
Stress, tiredness, and lack of sleep can contribute to headaches. If possible, step away from whatever you are doing and spend some time in a comfortable, quiet environment. People experiencing migraine may find bright lights and noise particularly unpleasant, so resting in a darkened room can sometimes help during an attack. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule as well. Dramatically changing how much you sleep can sometimes make headaches worse rather than better.
5. Try a Hot or Cold Compress
A simple compress may provide relief for some types of headache. You can try a cool pack on your forehead or a warm or cool pack around your neck, depending on what feels more comfortable. Avoid extreme temperatures and do not place something dangerously hot or frozen directly against your skin. If neck tension accompanies your headache, gentle relaxation and a comfortable position may also help. Different people respond differently, so choose the approach that reduces discomfort rather than forcing a particular technique.
6. Consider an Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever
Common over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen can help with some headaches when they are appropriate for you. Always follow the package directions and check with a healthcare professional or pharmacist if you have medical conditions, take other medications, are pregnant, or do not know which option is suitable. Do not rely on painkillers too frequently. Regular overuse of headache medication can actually contribute to medication-overuse or “rebound” headaches.
7. Figure Out What Keeps Triggering Your Headaches
If headaches keep returning, treating the pain each time may not address the underlying pattern. Start a simple headache diary and record when the pain begins, how long it lasts, what you ate and drank, how you slept, your caffeine intake, stress levels, medications, and other symptoms. You may notice a connection with dehydration, missed meals, poor sleep, stress, caffeine, or another trigger. Recurring headaches can also have causes that require professional diagnosis, so discuss frequent or worsening headaches with a healthcare professional.
When Is a Headache an Emergency?
Some headaches require immediate medical attention. Seek emergency care for a headache that appears suddenly and becomes extremely severe, especially if it feels like the worst headache you have experienced. You should also get urgent help when a severe headache occurs with confusion, fainting, seizures, weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, vision problems, a stiff neck, high fever, or after a significant head injury. A new headache that feels very different from your usual headaches also deserves medical attention, particularly when it continues to worsen.
Final Thoughts
When you want to get rid of a headache, start with the basics: drink water, eat if you skipped a meal, rest, reduce screen exposure, and consider an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever when necessary. At the same time, pay attention to patterns. If headaches happen frequently, become more severe, or interfere with everyday life, talk to a healthcare professional rather than repeatedly trying to manage the pain on your own.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to get rid of a headache?
There is no single method that works for every headache because headaches have different causes. Drinking water, resting, eating if you missed a meal, reducing light and screen exposure, and taking an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever may help with common headaches.
Can dehydration cause a headache?
Yes, dehydration can contribute to headaches. If you have not consumed enough fluids, especially during hot weather or after exercise, gradually returning to your normal fluid intake may help.
Why do I keep getting headaches?
Recurring headaches can have many possible triggers or causes, including stress, sleep problems, caffeine, skipped meals, dehydration, migraine, and medication overuse. Keep a headache diary and discuss frequent headaches with a healthcare professional.
When should I worry about a headache?
Seek urgent medical attention for a sudden and extremely severe headache or one accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, seizures, severe vision problems, high fever, or a stiff neck.
Picture Credit: Magnific