How to reduce a headache

Headache pain may be linked to tension, missed meals, poor sleep, dehydration, heat, or prolonged screen use. Allergic Rhinitis, Chronic Sinusitis, and the Common Cold can present with facial pressure or headache. Headache may also accompany COVID-19, Dengue Fever, Heat Exhaustion, or Generalised Anxiety Disorder. The location, speed of onset, associated symptoms, and frequency help distinguish a routine episode from one needing assessment.

Move to a quiet, dim room and relax the jaw, neck, and shoulders. Drink water and eat if you have missed a meal. A cool cloth may help; gentle stretching can be useful when muscles feel tight. If safe for you, use paracetamol or ibuprofen according to the label, avoiding medicines that a clinician has told you not to take. Frequent painkiller use can itself contribute to recurring headaches, so keep a simple diary of attacks, sleep, fluids, meals, triggers, and medicines.

Seek urgent help for a sudden, extremely severe headache; new weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, or vision loss; or headache with a stiff neck and fever. Prompt assessment is needed after a head injury, during pregnancy with concerning symptoms, or when headache occurs with repeated vomiting, severe dehydration, or a widespread rash. Arrange a review if headaches are becoming more frequent, changing character, or disrupting daily activities.

What pattern does my headache suggest? Which pain reliever is appropriate for me? How often can I use it, and should I keep a diary or have tests?