Headaches: Managing a headache
Introduction
Managing a headache may reduce its severity and prevent it from coming back. There are many ways to manage your headaches.
- Identify and avoid triggers that cause your headaches.
- Avoid taking nonprescription pain relievers more than 3 times a week because you may get rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are usually triggered after pain medicine has worn off, prompting you to take another dose. Eventually, you get a headache whenever you stop taking the medicine.
- Carry drugs with you to promptly treat a headache that you can tell is starting.
- Take drugs that cause the fewest side effects, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (for example, aspirin or ibuprofen).
- Exercise regularly, eat well, and reduce stress to improve your quality of life.
- Partner with your doctor to find the best treatment for your headaches.
What is the best way to manage a headache?
Why should you quickly manage your headache?
How to manage a headache
Where to go from here
Return to topic:
| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: July 22, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology | |
 | ||