Headaches seem to appear at the worst possible times, often when a task requires maximum concentration and focus.
Once they appear, headaches seem impossible to get rid of, they gnaw and bother while one simply suffers, wishes and prays silently for them to go away.
Fortunately for those looking for urgent remedies, a pharmacist has revealed the five different types of headaches and how they can be treated.
George Sandhu, Assistant Superintendent of Pharmacy at Well Pharmacy, has shared the most common headaches and how to help them go away.
Continue reading below to see what headache you might be suffering from and how to effectively get rid of it and stop your head from throbbing.
George Sandhu, deputy superintendent of pharmacy at the UK’s largest independent pharmacy, Well Pharmacy, has shared the most common headaches and how to help them go away (file image)
Tension headaches
First, Mr. Sandhu addressed tension headaches, which he said are very common and often caused by stress, sleep problems and caffeine.
He said symptoms include pain on both sides of the head, face or neck and a feeling that something is pressing or squeezing around the head, adding that the affected areas can often feel tender and the head may hurt more when touched.
To treat tension headaches, George recommends treatments that include over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
The pharmacist said staff can also advise customers to maintain good posture, manage stress through relaxation techniques, take regular breaks if working in front of screens and make sure they stay hydrated.
Migraines
Mr Sandhu then talked about migraines, which he said usually feel like a very strong headache with a stabbing pain on one side.
The pharmacist warned that they are generally more severe than normal headaches and advised that there are two types of migraines: with and without aura.
Aura is a term used to describe sensory or visual disturbances, which are symptoms of such a headache and include seeing flashing lights, blind spots, numbness or tingling, difficulty speaking, followed by a throbbing headache.
He said the symptoms should not last more than an hour.
For migraines with aura, pharmacy staff can suggest over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-nausea medications if necessary, but some customers should be referred to their GP if they need prescription medication.
To treat tension headaches, George recommends treatments that include over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (file image)
Pharmacy staff may also advise customers to keep a migraine diary to help identify and therefore avoid migraine triggers – for some people this may be certain foods.
Migraines without aura are similar to migraines with aura and are often triggered by stress, hormonal changes, and certain foods or drinks.
Symptoms include moderate to severe headache on one side of the head, sensitivity to light, sound and smells, nausea or vomiting.
As with migraine with aura, recommended treatments include over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-nausea medications.
Pharmacy staff can advise customers to maintain regular sleeping and eating habits, stay hydrated, and avoid known triggers.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are severe attacks of pain that can last for extended periods of time.
These are intense headaches that can occur several times a day and continue for weeks or months.
The main symptoms are a sharp, burning or stabbing pain, usually around one eye, which may cause watering. You may also feel sick and they can come and go quickly, lasting between 15 minutes and three hours.
The exact cause of these is unknown, they are more common in men between 30 and 40 years old or if there are other patients in the family.
Some patients may identify triggers such as smoking, alcohol consumption, perfumes and other strong odors.
If a patient suspects they have cluster headaches and painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen do not help, they should be referred to their GP.
There is no cure for cluster headaches, but a specialist can recommend some treatments to help relieve and prevent symptoms.
Sinus headaches
Lastly, George talked about how to deal with sinus headaches, which are caused by swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection.
Cluster headaches are intense attacks of pain that can last for long periods of time (File image)
He said symptoms include pain, swelling and tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead.
You may also experience nasal congestion, decreased sense of smell, green or yellow mucus discharge from your nose, and high fever.
Over-the-counter treatments include decongestants, saline nasal sprays, antihistamines if symptoms are caused by an allergy, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Pharmacy staff may also advise customers to stay hydrated and apply warm compresses to the affected area.
