Headaches

Most headaches are common and nothing to worry about. They usually go away on their own without treatment. Let's look at what you can do to feel better and when you might need to speak to your GP.

What You Can Do at Home

Things that help:

• Drink plenty of water - being dehydrated often causes headaches
• Get enough rest, especially if you have a cold or flu
• Try to relax - stress makes headaches worse
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen following the packet instructions
• Stay at home if you feel unwell or have a high temperature

Things to avoid:

• Don't drink alcohol
• Don't skip meals, even if you don't feel hungry
• Don't sleep much more than usual - this can make headaches worse
• Don't stare at screens for long periods

How Long Do Headaches Last?

Headaches can be short (30 minutes) or long (several days). Most get better without any special treatment.

Common Causes

Your headache might be caused by:

• Having a cold or flu
• Feeling stressed
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Poor posture (like hunching over a computer)
• Eye problems
• Missing meals
• Not drinking enough water
• Taking too many painkillers
• Your monthly period or menopause

Keeping a diary of when you get headaches might help you spot what triggers them.

When to See Your GP

Book a routine appointment if:

• Your headaches keep coming back
• Painkillers don't help and the pain gets worse
• You have strong throbbing pain at the front or side of your head
• You feel sick, are sick, and find light or noise painful
• You get headaches regularly before or during your period

When to Get Urgent Help

Call 111 or get an urgent GP appointment if you or your child has a severe headache plus:

• Pain in your jaw when eating
• Blurred or double vision
• A sore scalp
• Numbness or weakness in arms or legs

For children under 12, get urgent help if they have:

• A headache that wakes them at night
• A headache when they wake up
• A headache getting steadily worse
• A headache triggered by coughing, sneezing or bending down
• A headache with being sick
• A headache with a squint (eyes pointing different directions)

Emergency Situations - Call 999

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you or your child:

• Has had a head injury and now has a headache
• Has a sudden, extremely painful headache

Also call 999 if the severe headache comes with:

• Sudden problems speaking or remembering things
• Loss of vision
• Feeling very drowsy or confused
• Very high temperature with other signs of serious illness
• Red appearance in the white part of the eye

For children under 12, call 999 if they have a headache with:

• Vision problems or difficulty speaking, swallowing, balancing or walking
• Extreme drowsiness or persistent tiredness
• A headache starting within 5 days of a head injury

Remember: don't drive to A&E if you're unwell. Ask someone else to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance.

Most headaches are nothing serious, but it's always better to speak to your GP if you're worried about any symptoms.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.