Headache is something that almost every person faces at least once in their life. It can last from a few minutes to several days. The pain can be sharp, dull, throbbing or stabbing and can sometimes spread to the scalp, face or even neck.
Dr Xand van Tuleken, host of the BBC podcast What’s Up Docs, is well aware of this feeling and says he gets a headache once a month or once every six weeks and it’s “like someone is drilling through my eyeball”.
Although severe headaches cause panic, Dr Kathy Munroe, a family doctor and expert at the National Migraine Centre, says it’s rarely anything serious.
“It’s natural to worry that something is wrong, but the chances of it happening are actually very small,” she explains.
The woman advises that if it’s your “first and for example, thunder and lightning, and for others, sensitivity to light.
“The worst time for me is when we go in autumn, the sun is low and shimmering among the trees… It really exacerbates the pain,” says Dr Munroe.
It’s worth making note of the following:
For women, keep an eye on your menstrual cycle, as headaches can be linked to changes in hormones.
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However, Dr Munro warns against going into too much detail.
“I made the mistake of making my diary very detailed, it was discouraging. Instead, keep it simple and perhaps write down a number between 1 and 10 to summarise the impact it has had on your day.”
“It’s also helpful to keep track of how many completely pain-free days you’ve had.”
Your doctor will be able to review these records to help moderate your caffeine intake, and if you suddenly stop drinking it, you may experience a ‘withdrawal headache’.”
3- Don’t skip meals
What and when you eat can make a difference if you suffer from headaches.
Dr Munro recommends a Mediterranean diet rich in protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. This can help stabilise your energy levels.
Fast-absorbing sugary snacks should be avoided, and you should definitely not skip meals, as this can be a common trigger.
Dr Munro says that eliminating dairy and catering from her diet has helped, although it’s not a one-size-fits-all tip.
“I’ve also found that regular meals and lunches at work make a difference,” she says.
In addition to thinking about food, Dr Munroe notes that regular exercise, quality sleep, stress management and supporting hydration can also reduce headaches.
You should drink enough water throughout the day so that your urine is pale and clear and you don’t feel thirsty.
4- Avoid painkillers with codeine
“There are a lot of things you can buy over-the-counter, like painkillers or nausea pills, that can be helpful for headaches,” says Dr Munroe.
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She warns that you should avoid “any product containing codeine” because it can cause some types of headaches and worsen symptoms such as nausea.
“Painkillers can work very well, but it depends on how severe your headache is. If it becomes more frequent or intense, your GP can help you find the best medication.”
Don’t take painkillers more than two days a week, then it will reduce the risk of so-called o ‘ricochet’ headaches (headaches caused by overuse of drugs – Ed.).