Headaches have many causes. Most are merely inconveniences but in rare instances, they can be caused by life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention. The self-care advice that follows relates only to headaches that can be managed safely at home. These include stable, well-controlled migraines or headaches caused by tension, eye strain, sinus pressure, or minor bumps to your head.
Signs and Symptoms
Tension headaches
Often associated with prolonged reading, computer work, and heavy or ill-fitting backpacks.
Typically a dull ache in your forehead, neck, or temples
Pain, stiffness, or spasms in the muscles of your neck or upper body
Eye-strain headaches
Often associated with prolonged reading, work at a computer, etc.
Typically a dull headache in your forehead or an ache or feeling of pressure around your eyes
Sinus headaches
Often associated with nasal allergies or colds
Pain in your forehead and tenderness and pain over your cheekbones and upper teeth that usually gets worse when you bend over
Migraine headachesSymptoms may differ from person to person, but a person often has the same symptoms with each migraine.
Pain, often affecting the same part of the head
May have an "aura" preceding the headache such as seeing white spots, flashing lights, or dark spots; numbness in various parts of your body; or, less commonly, strange smells or tastes
Nausea and/or vomiting
Sensitivity to light, sounds, and/or smells
Can be precipitated by certain "triggers" such as foods (e.g. chocolate, hot dogs, red wine), smells (e.g. perfumes, air fresheners), and/or lack of sleep
What You Can Do About Headaches
For any type of headache pain, take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. If you've had any injury to your head, take acetaminophen only. Other pain relievers can thin your blood, worsening any bleeding that may be occurring in the brain.
For tension headaches:
Use a heating pad or hot water bottle on a tense neck.
Take hot showers. Don't exceed 20 minutes at a time.
Rub your temples and the back of your head.
Get a neck and shoulder massage.
Take frequent, short breaks when studying or working.
Ensure that your computer/work station is ergonomically sound.
Learn to manage stress.
For eye-strain headaches:
Light your study/work areas well.
Reduce or eliminate computer screen glare.
Look up from reading or computer work every few minutes and focus on a distant object for several seconds to relax your eye muscles.
Get an eye exam. You might need contacts or glasses or a change in your current prescription.
For sinus headaches:
Take an OTC decongestant or use an OTC decongestant nasal spray. Don't use decongestant sprays for more than three days in a row. You can also use OTC saline nasal sprays/drops without time limitations. To make them at home dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Sniff a couple of drops in each nostril.
For recurrent sinus headaches, use a humidifier in your home, especially in your bedroom, to keep the air moist. Clean it frequently.
For Migraine Headaches
Avoid migraine triggers, if you know them.
Take OTC migraine medication, if appropriate.
Use an ice pack for no longer than 15 minutes at a time. Put a cloth, such as a thin towel, between the ice pack and your skin to prevent skin damage.
Massage the affected area.
Rest in a dark, quiet place.
Sleep.
The UHS Pharmacy (SSB 1.110) sells all of the OTC headache medications described above. Ask our pharmacists to help you choose the most appropriate medications for your symptoms.
Call the UHS 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line (512) 475-6877 (NURS) If you have any of the following:
A headache that is "the worst headache of your life"
A headache with fever and difficulty bending your neck
A severe, sudden, "thunderclap" headache, even if it lessens over time. This could indicate the impending rupture of a blood vessel in your brain.
Headaches caused or worsened by straining or physical exertion like heavy lifting
Headaches that worsen in frequency and/or severity over time
Headaches that wake you at night or severe headaches upon rising in the morning
Headaches associated with visual changes and/or nausea or vomiting, unless you've been diagnosed with migraines for which these symptoms are typical for you
Headaches associated with even minor head trauma if there has been any loss of consciousness, amnesia, confusion, nausea, blurred vision, weakness, or numbness in any part of the body.
A sinus headache not eased by self-care measures that lasts for more than a week
Your migraines become more frequent or symptoms change or get more severe
Migraines with an aura if you use any type of estrogen-containing birth control method
Call 911 or go directly to an Emergency Room if you have any of the following:
Headaches associated with slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, weakness, or persistent numbness or tingling in any part of your body
Severe headache and fever with the development of dark spots (much like bruises) of any size on your skin. This can be a sign of meningococcal disease, which progresses rapidly and is potentially fatal.
Seizure-like activity or fainting
A sudden headache associated with loss of consciousness
