The goal is to take control of your headache and not let it take control of you.

Most headaches have a genetic basis. Some may also be sensitive to certain triggers that can lead to a headache. Lessen the impact of a headache by identifying triggers and avoiding them:

Apart from medical therapy, maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle is also important.

9 Ways to prevent a headache naturally

Some things you can do to avoid getting a headache include:

  1. Be aware of changes to the external enviroment 
    Take note of changes in weather, and try to avoid areas with bright lights, smells and loud sounds, which can trigger a headache

  2. Identify and avoid food triggers

    • Keep a food diary and try to look out for foods that may appear to be setting off your headache

    • Common foods that may bring on a migraine attack in sufferers include alcohol, cheese, cheese, chocolate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), citrus fruits

    • Also, limit caffeine consumption so as to improve your quality of sleep and reduce the likelihood of headaches

  3. Get enough sleep and rest

    • Rest is important for almost all migraine attacks

    • Adequate sleep can abort relatively mild attacks, and may be sufficient to prevent the onset of a migraine, without the need to take medication

  4. Be aware of hormonal changes

    • Menstruation, menopause, use of oral contraception, and undergoing hormone replacement therapy have been known to cause headaches

  5. Better manage your emotions, moods and stress levels

  6. Adopt a regular exercise regime

  7. Eat regular, balanced meals

  8. Avoid smoking

  9. Avoid irregular shift work

Changi General Hospital (CGH) acupuncturist Ann Ling shares a simple way to alleviate head discomforts by pressing a particular pressure point. Try it!

 

Keeping a headache diary can help identify factors that may contribute to the headache and the pattern of the headache. (You can download a copy of the headache diary here).

Headaches: When to see a doctor

You should consult a doctor if any of the following occurs: 

  • If you have frequent headaches that occur once or more a week

  • If you are taking painkillers more than once a week

  • If you discover changes in the pattern of a regular headache

  • If you have a stiff neck or fever with headache

  • If you have headaches with dizziness, unsteady gait, slurred speech, weakness or numbness

  • If you experience confusion and drowsiness

  • If your headache begins and persists after a head injury

  • If it is the first headache you've ever experienced or it is the worst headache in your life

  • If your headache begins after the age of 50

  • If you have a new headache and a history of cancer, autoimmune disease or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Treatment for headaches

According to the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) Department of Neurology, a member of the SingHealth​ group, there are many ways of treating a headache.

In general, though, th​ese can be separated into:

  • Symptomatic treatment - Relieve the symptoms of an attack; and

  • Prophylactic treatment - Aimed at preventing an attack

For more severe or disabling migraine attacks, acute management will include the use of painkillers such as NSAIDS, caffeine, ergotamine or a group of medications called triptans, the drug of choice for people who suffer severe attacks.

Preventive medications may include antidepressants, which work by affecting the level of serotonin. For patients with frequent migraine attacks, several agents including beta-blockers, anticonvulsants and benzodiazepines may be used as prophylaxis, which, over time, will reduce the frequency of attacks.

Ref: G25 (ed)

Related articles:

When You Should See a Doctor for a Headache

Headache or Migraine? How to Tell the Difference

3 Most Common Types of Headaches

Common Causes of Headaches

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