Nearly everyone has experienced a headache once in their lives. Most headaches are temporary and can be treated with an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Motrin. Tension (stress) and neck muscle spasm are the most common causes of headaches. However, there are many other illnesses that can cause headaches. Doctors can identify the symptoms of headaches and determine if the headache will go away on its own or if it is a sign of a more serious condition like low blood sugar, infection or stroke.
Take Into Account
It is important to note how the headache started (suddenly, gradually), how long it has lasted, how severe it is (throbbing, sharp or like a vise around your head), and what makes it worse (light, certain positions, time of the day, etc.). Also, take note of any other symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting or difficulty speaking, history of head injury, diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer. It is important to know if the headaches recur, and if so, for how often and how long.
A headache that is more severe than others and requires medical attention are: a headache that occurs suddenly and seems to last for several hours; a headache that is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, stiff neck, nausea, and headaches that are persistent over time; headaches that are associated with speech impairment, weakness, vision problems, or memory loss; a new, persistent headache lasting longer than 24 hours in a patient with a diagnosis of cancer; a headache that is not present in the past, particularly if the headache is a headache.
Hydration
Drinking fluids (water is the best option), using an over-the-counter pain relief medication and resting in a cool, quiet, dimly-lit area are all options for milder headaches. You can also try some simple remedies like placing a cool towel on the forehead or at base of the neck, and avoiding bright lights.
Cluster headaches and migraines are more difficult to treat and may require prescription medication. Migraine headaches affect approximately 28 million people (check stats and source). They are described as throbbing, one-sided headaches, at least at the beginning. Patients often report feeling a warning sign or aura, such as a brief visual disturbance (like a flash of light) that indicates a bad headache is coming. Many patients experience nausea and vomiting when their headaches occur. Cluster headaches are one-sided headaches that can be accompanied by reddening of the eyes, eye tearing, and nose stuffiness. They usually occur for a short time, then disappear for a while.