Headaches are one of the most common types of acute pain (i.e. short-term pain) in the world, affecting almost everyone at least once in their lifetime. However, for some people, headaches are not so short-lived, and are a daily reality that can be extremely painful, long-lasting, and debilitating.

Some types of headaches don’t have an underlying cause, so they can’t be treated. Instead, symptoms are managed with medications, both preventatively and as needed in the moment. In addition to the treatment prescribed by a doctor, it’s important for headache sufferers to have an at-home plan for symptom relief. 

This guide from HealthTap goes over what an effective, individualized plan of care may look like, in addition to the different ways severe headaches can be treated and prevented. 

What is a headache?

A headache can either be a symptom of another condition (called a secondary headache) or be a condition in and of itself (called a primary headache). 

Secondary headaches can happen due to various conditions, such as head trauma or muscle tension. Once the underlying condition is treated, the headache typically goes away on its own.

On the other hand, primary headaches aren’t caused by an underlying condition, which means that they can’t be “cured.” Instead, their symptoms are often managed with medication, and sometimes, lifestyle changes. 

Some of the most well-known primary headaches include:

• Tension headaches
  This type of headache is the most common. It’s caused by muscle tension, most often in the neck, and tends to resolve on its own. This type of headache generally produces mild or moderate pain on both sides of the head. 

• Migraine headaches
  This is a chronic type of headache that affects about 12% of the global population. It’s typically felt as severe throbbing pain along one side of the head. Some migraines are preceded by an aura, which can include light and sound sensitivity as well as nausea. An aura can start about 30 minutes before the migraine attack, and sometimes lasts through the migraine as well. Often attributed to hormonal changes, women are much more likely than men to get migraines. 

• Cluster headache
  Although rare, cluster headaches are extremely severe. Cluster headaches get their name because they occur in “clusters,” which can be as often as eight times per day. These headaches cause extreme stabbing pain that can be debilitating for some people.

Primary headaches can be chronic, and are sometimes severe enough to make daily life difficult, interfering with work and school performance. Fortunately, there are many treatment options.

How is a headache treated? 

Unless a headache is caused by an underlying condition, it cannot technically be “cured.” Instead, it is often managed by treating the symptoms and working to prevent future headache attacks. 

Healthcare providers may recommend over-the-counter painkillers to relieve occasional mild headache pain, but sometimes headaches are severe enough and frequent enough that prescription treatments are recommended. 

For instance, sumatriptan is a medication that constricts blood vessels and takes pressure off the surrounding nerves. Many prescribers offer this medication as an injection under the skin, but it’s also available for use orally, nasally, and rectally as a suppository. 

There are also medications people can take daily to prevent headaches from occurring in the first place, called prophylactic medications. Some of these medications work by reducing inflammation, which can play a role in pain relief, while others may affect blood vessel dilation.

Another treatment option directly stimulates the nerves that are involved in headache pain. One treatment stimulates the trigeminal nerve, which is what communicates pain signals to the brain. This can help to relax blood vessels and ease headache pain. 

Other devices affect the vagus nerve (which runs from the stomach to the head), and can enhance relaxation and relax blood vessels. 

How to care for a headache at home

While the above treatments can be very effective for some people, they may not be enough to completely stop headaches. A headache management plan can help to alleviate headache symptoms if they strike at home. 

Here are some often-recommended strategies for at-home headache care:

• Paying attention to triggers
  Common headache triggers include lack of sleep, emotional stress, and travel (especially if time changes are involved). Of course, avoiding these triggers is not always possible. In such cases, it’s best to be prepared with pain relieving medication and plenty of time for rest.

• Resting in a quiet, dark room
  Stimuli such as bright lights and loud sounds can make headaches worse. Make sure to have a soothing environment to retreat to if a headache strikes. 

• Using a warm or cold compress
  Applying an ice pack to the area of the head that hurts can constrict some of the blood vessels, which can take pressure off the surrounding nerves. To prevent burning the skin, it’s best to put a thin cloth between the ice pack and the head. Conversely, for pain in the sinuses, use a warm compress to open up the passageways.

• Relaxing the neck and shoulder muscles
  Tense muscles can make a headache worse. A neck and shoulder massage paired with a heating pad can help ease muscle tension.

• Staying hydrated
  Being dehydrated can make a headache feel much worse. Getting plenty of fluids (whether it’s water, herbal tea, or even water-rich foods like cucumber) is important both when a headache begins and when trying to keep headaches at bay.

• Having some caffeine
  Caffeine can restrict blood vessels, which can take some pressure off surrounding nerves. Having a cup (or two) of coffee can be one way to care for a headache. However, it’s important not to overdo it, as caffeine withdrawal can cause its own type of headache. 

• Taking pain medication as directed
  Pain medication should be taken as soon as headache symptoms start to show up. It’s best to discuss even over-the-counter medication options with a doctor first. In some cases, a stronger pain reliever or preventative medication may need to be prescribed. With any medication, medication overuse headaches and other side effects are always possible, which is why following the guidance of a healthcare provider is so important. 

How to prevent a headache from occurring 

While the above strategies can be very effective for preventing a headache, it's generally better to try and prevent headaches from occurring in the first place. 

While doctors don’t know what exactly causes some types of headaches, there are usually triggers that can make headaches worse or more frequent. By avoiding these triggers, it’s possible to reduce severity and frequency, even if just a little. 

These are some of the ways to prevent headaches from occurring. 

• Keeping a headache diary
  Headache triggers are different for everyone. Some people are triggered by lack of sleep, others by emotional stress, and some by food sensitivity. Writing down when each headache happens along with other relevant details like time of day or ingredients consumed can help to uncover hidden triggers, which should be avoided to prevent future headaches. 

• Practicing stress relief
  Stress is a common headache trigger, and has many other negative effects on health from causing inflammation to affecting sleep quality. Practicing stress-relieving strategies such as yoga has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. Some other relaxation techniques include meditation, breathwork, or a simple walk outside. 

• Getting plenty of exercise
  Exercise (especially cardio, the type that raises heart rate) can improve blood flow, which can reduce some types of headache pain. In addition, exercise releases feel-good chemicals like endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers that can ease headache pain. 

• Relieving muscle tension
  Tense muscles are a very common cause of headaches. People who work in front of a computer may experience muscle tension because of the hunched-over, neck-forward posture many office workers tend to develop. Improving posture may help to alleviate some of this muscle tension. Other strategies include massage, stretching, and keeping the computer screen at eye-level to encourage better posture. 

• Reducing eye strain
  Another issue caused by excessive screen time is eye strain, which can make headaches worse. Keeping screen brightness low while avoiding sitting too close to the computer can help reduce eye strain. 

• Avoiding excessive caffeine consumption
  While having some caffeine can be helpful for relieving a headache, overdoing it can lead to a caffeine withdrawal headache. It’s best to limit caffeine consumption to just one cup of coffee per day to keep caffeine headaches at bay.

Caring for headaches with HealthTap

A doctor can help to come up with an effective pain management plan for managing headaches, both occasional and chronic. A plan may include lifestyle changes, posture correctors, triptans, pain relievers, or other options depending on the cause of the headache.

If you experience frequent headaches, HealthTap can connect you with a low-cost health care professional over our virtual platform to help you get the relief you need from the comfort of your own home.

Make your appointment today.