Tackling Headache Head On

More than 30% of Australians experience a headache at least once a month and about 5% get a headache on a daily basis. These are some of the recently released results of the Nurofen Headache Survey.

The survey was conducted late last year by the Boots pharmaceutical company and it showed that, despite the high prevalence of headache in the community, many people seem reluctant to seek advice or the most appropriate treatment.

Of course pain generally and headache in particular is simply a symptom of an underlying cause. And this cause needs to be identified to get the most effective treatment.

While the exact reason why headaches occur is still unclear, medical evidence suggests that a headache originates from the painsensitive blood vessels at the base of the brain.

What is clear is that there are certain factors – trigger factors – which can provoke your headache. These triggers aren’t the same for everyone and they may be different for the same person. However, commonly they include stress, tension and anxiety; hormone level changes, at the time of periods, during pregnancy or while taking the oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy; delaying or missing meals; and coffee withdrawal or too much alcohol.

Irregular sleep problems, as in too much or too little sleep, or “jet lag” associated with international travel or shift work, can also trigger headaches; as can weather or altitude changes, strong smells or fumes and stuffy smoke-filled rooms. Certain medicines can trigger headaches as well.

Needless to say, headaches are not something that occur only in Australia. The World Health Organisation has classified headache as a disability – no doubt a reflection of the fact that headache can have a significant adverse impact on quality of life. Productivity suffers at work and at school and our ability to participate in social activities suffers too. “Not tonight, I’ve got a headache” is no joke for either partner.

Avoiding headaches is a better option than having to treat them when they occur. This usually involves some minor changes to lifestyle – learning to relax, keeping fit having a regular sleep pattern and regular exercise, and being moderate with your eating and drinking habits.

When treatment for headache is necessary consult your pharmacist or doctor for the most appropriate medicine. Most pain relievers are based on aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol. And these ingredients are sometimes combined with codeine to treat more severe headaches.

Remember if your headache does not respond to non-prescription pain relievers within 24 hours, or if your headaches occur frequently, you should see your doctor.

And you can get more information about how to prevent and treat your headache from your Self Care Pharmacy.