Headaches problem

A headache can happen on one or both sides of your head, or in the front or back of your head. The pain can start in one place and move to another. Headaches can be triggered or aggravated by many things, including lack of fresh air, lack of food, eye strain, stress, too much alcohol, high blood pressure and caffeine withdrawal.
 
Tension headache is the most common type of headache. It is usually a mild, aching pain on both sides of your head that tends to worsen during the day, or if you are stressed. It can feel like a tight band across your forehead, or a weight pressing on your head.

Other types of headaches include sinusitis and medication overuse headaches. Sinusitis usually starts as a dull pain on one side of your head, and can spread to both sides. Bending, coughing or sneezing can make it worse. Blocked sinuses are usually what cause the pain, so it is important to seek treatment.

Medication overuse headache (previously called rebound headache) can develop from taking pain relief medicines (analgesics) for long periods, such as those containing codeine or caffeine. These headaches are worse in the morning, feel like a tension headache and require increasingly more pain relief to treat them. You should consult a doctor for treatment of medication overuse headaches.

Treatment Tips

• you can sometimes prevent headaches if you recognise the triggers and avoid them; keeping a headache diary may help you spot triggers
• pain relief medicines may be effective but rest is also helpful
• drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet
• sinus headaches may require special medicines; check with your pharmacist
• if your headache is part of a cold and you take multiple medicines containing paracetamol, be careful not to exceed the safe daily dose of paracetamol
• have your eyes checked if you do a lot of computer work
• check your posture if you have a desk job, especially if you have shoulder aches and pains

Treatment Options

• it is important to know what type of headache you have and if you need to see a doctor
• some pain relievers are not suitable for everyone; check with your pharmacist

Oral pain relief medicines (analgesics)

[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. paracetamol, packets of 24 or fewer (Panadol range); aspirin (Aspro range, Disprin range); ibuprofen, packets of 24 or fewer (Advil, Nurofen range)
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen: larger pack sizes; paracetamol liquid preparations (Panadol (Children) Liquid Formulations, Dymadon Suspension 1 Month to 2 Years, Dymadon Suspension 2 to 12 Years); ibuprofen liquid preparations (Nurofen for Children, Dimetapp Children's Ibuprofen Pain & Fever Relief Suspension, Dimetapp Infant's Pain & Fever Relief Ibuprofen Colour Free Suspension); diclofenac (Voltaren Rapid 12.5); naproxen (Naprogesic)

[PHARMACIST ONLY]
paracetamol, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (which include ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen) relieve pain and reduce fever

• paracetamol is a safe choice for most people but it is important not to take more than recommended. It is an ingredient in many cold and flu remedies so be careful not to double dose
• the maximum daily dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4 g (4000 mg), and no more than 1 g (1000 mg) every four hours
• Aspirin and NSAIDs are not suitable for everyone. Children under 12 years old must not take aspirin because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition. It should also be avoided by adolescents under 16 years old who have a viral illness
• check with your pharmacist before taking aspirin or NSAIDs if you:
• have a history of stomach problems, such as ulcers or indigestion
• have asthma; some people with asthma find their condition is made worse by these types of medicines
• have kidney problems or a heart condition
• take other medications
• have an allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• are elderly; you may be at more risk of side effects
• are dehydrated
• Sometimes aspirin and NSAIDs can cause side effects. If you develop indigestion, or unusual or increased bleeding or bruising, stop taking them and talk to your pharmacist