Head | Headache

There is evidence to show that drinking coffee can increase the risk of headaches, but it’s thought that this is due to large quantities of coffee,² so it’s probably best to consume it in moderation.

Headaches commonly occur alongside neck pain.³ Given this connection, it’s worth trying self-help techniques to relieve neck pain, as these could help ease the headache at the same time. For example:⁴

• Take pain relief tablets, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, or rub a pain relief gel on your neck
• Try a low, firm pillow when you sleep
• Try heat or cold packs on your neck
• Try gentle neck exercises – there are some good examples at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/flexibility-exercises/

This is the most common type of headache. It can affect both sides of the head, the neck muscles, and the eyes. It doesn’t normally get in the way of people getting on with their work or free-time activities.⁶

Anyone can have a tension headache, but they’re more common in adolescents and adults, and women tend to get more headaches than men.

Tension headaches are described as chronic if someone has them for around 50% of the time, over a period of months, or even longer.

Cluster headaches are very painful, and usually occur on one side of the head, around the eye. Anyone can have one, but they’re more common in men and are likely to start when a person is in their 30s or 40s. A cluster headache can come on very suddenly and cause a stabbing sensation. It usually affects the same side every time. The pain can make the sufferer very agitated. Other symptoms can include:

• A red, watery eye
• Drooping or swelling of the eyelid
• A small pupil
• Facial sweating
• A blocked or runny nostril

A cluster headache can last from 15 minutes to several hours and be experienced as many as eight times a day. It’s not always clear what causes them, but it is thought that risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Having a family member who gets them
• Drinking alcohol
• Strong odours, like perfume, paint or petrol
• Getting overheated while exercising

Cluster headaches tend to follow a daily pattern and can last weeks or months. If you think you are experiencing cluster headaches, you should make an appointment to see your GP. They can refer you for tests to check there’s no underlying cause. Although it’s unusual for a cluster headache to be a sign of a serious health condition, due to their frequency and the pain they cause they can have a negative effect on a person’s quality of life. It’s important to get help, because there are various treatments that can relieve the symptoms.

If you’re diagnosed with cluster headaches, you’ll most likely receive a prescription treatment, as pain relieving medications you can buy ‘off the shelf’ are unlikely to work on this type of sudden pain.

Try and avoid potential triggers (see list above) if you can.

Try and do things that relax you, such as:

• Yoga or pilates – these can also help with good posture, to help avoid tension headaches
• Having a massage
• Any form of exercise that you enjoy
• Acupuncture – a course of sessions may help

Make sure you’re not dehydrated. Drink plenty of water or diluted fruit juice. Try not to skip meals, or have a snack if you don’t have time for a proper meal. Be careful about how you consume alcohol, and how much you have. Avoid mixing your drinks and aim to stay within the recommended limit of 14 units a week.

Some people find they get headaches after eating certain types of food, so it could be worth keeping a food diary to see if you can identify any triggers.

A cool compress on the forehead may help (a cold, damp flannel will do) or put a warm, damp flannel on the back of your neck.

Both paracetamol and ibuprofen can be taken to help relieve a normal headache.

You could try Solpadeine Headache, which is designed to get to work fast.