Tips on relief for 3 headache types

Headaches stop you from concentrating and enjoying yourself so when one strikes, you want fast healing. If you know what type of headache you’re suffering from, it will be easier to get relief. These tips will help.

Headaches and migraines can be debilitating, and the pain seemingly incurable. But sometimes, the simplest solutions can remedy even the most serious headaches. Here's a look at a few ways to soothe your aching head.

If you suffer from cluster headaches, you’ll know how wearing they are. These headaches typically occur on one side of the head, usually around the eye.

It's especially important to see a doctor or go to an emergency room if the pattern of your cluster headaches suddenly changes; if you have fever, a stiff neck, rash, confusion, weakness or double vision with your headache.

You need to see a doctor if your pain worsens with movement; or if your headaches start after age 50.

Note what time your headaches strike, how long they last, what you did, like smoking or sleeping, and what you ate and drank within the previous 24 hours. This information will help your doctor.

These are recurrent and severe headaches that can really put you our of action.
Acupuncture may relieve the frequency of migraine headaches by at least 50 percent.
At the first sign of a migraine, if you don't have prescription migraine medicine, try a combination of aspirin, caffeine and acetaminophen. Avoid taking medications containing caffeine and decongestants for more than two days per month; they may cause rebound headaches.

Note the time and severity of the migraine, how long it lasted, what helped relieve the pain, what foods you ate and drank in the day prior to the attack, and how much you slept the night before. This information will help you and your doctor manage your migraines.

It's especially important to seek medical care if the pattern of your headaches changes suddenly and significantly; if you have a sudden, abrupt (like a thunderclap) severe headache; if you have fever, a stiff neck, rash, confusion, weakness or double vision; or if you are over age 50 and never had headaches before.

If you experience weakness or numbness (not just tingling) on one side of the body or if an aura lasts more than an hour or is notably different from previous ones, you should promptly seek medical attention.

Regular headache pills all bring relief, though ibuprofen may have a slight edge: It bested acetaminophen in one study.
For fastest relief, take ibuprofen in liquid gel capsules, which brought relief in 24 minutes for volunteers.
Acetaminophen took 29 minutes, which is a small difference, but every second counts when your head hurts. Try to use them no more than two days per month; overuse can cause rebound headaches.
Caffeine helps the pain reliever to work faster

When you have a headache, all you want to do is get rid of it - and as soon as possible. This is especially the case if you’re in the middle of a busy day and need to be on top form. These tips will help you deal with your headache effectively.