How do I Relieve Headaches With Over-the-Counter Remedies?

Headaches are a common complaint among many people. They may arise for a number of reasons, including stress, illness, hormonal changes, environmental factors such as noise and bright light, or fatigue. Most headaches can be treated with simple home remedies or over-the-counter medication. Occasionally, a severe headache or a headache accompanied by certain warning signs such as fever, stiff neck or rash may require a trip to your doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol, Advil or Aleve

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Instructions

• 1

  Check for headache warning signs. Although most headaches are no cause for concern, certain types of headaches can be a sign of a more serious condition. If your headache is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or go to an emergency room right away:

  A sudden, severe headache that you have not had before

  Neurological symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, loss of balance or coordination, numbness or tingling, problems with speech or mental confusion, personality changes, changes in vision or seizures

  Fever, shortness of breath, rash or stiff neck

  Headaches that occur after a head injury or accident

  Severe nausea and vomiting

  Severe pain that awakens you at night

  A new type of headache after age 55

  If you have any of the following symptoms, you do not need to seek emergency care, but contact your doctor as soon as possible:

  Three or more headaches per week

  Headaches that increase in frequency or severity

  Headaches that require two or more doses of over-the-counter medication per week

  Headaches that do not subside without the help of a pain reliever

  Headaches that occur during coughing, exertion or bending

  A history of headaches with a recent change in symptoms

• 2

  Apply an ice pack to the area of your head that hurts. If it is a more generalized pain, try applying it to your forehead, temples or the nape of your neck. Keep the ice pack on for no longer than 20 minutes for every hour. Try using a flexible gel pack that can be molded to the shape of your head.

• 3

  Engage in a relaxing activity to distract yourself from the pain or the stress that might be causing the pain. Take a warm bath or shower, take a nap or go for a slow-paced walk. Reading, watching TV or using your computer can worsen a headache, so try to stick to activities that don't involve much concentration or mental involvement.

• 4

  Relax your neck, shoulder and back muscles, because tension in these areas may be a contributing factor to the pain. Ask someone to rub your back or shoulders or get a massage. Alternatively, you can sit or lie in a quiet, dimly lit room, close your eyes and try to release the tension in your back, neck and shoulders.

• 5

  Apply gentle pressure to the affected area with your index finger and thumb, rotating them steadily. Keep the pressure on for seven to 10 seconds, release and repeat as necessary.

• 6

  Take an over-the-counter pain medication. There are many options, but the most common are acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin (Bayer, Excedrin Migraine) and naproxin (Aleve). Read the warnings section for precautions that you should take before taking medicine.