Your environment. Bright or flickering lights and glare, as well as stuffy rooms or excessive noise, can trigger headaches.

Physical complaints. Wearing a tight hair band, toothache or eye strain can bring on a headache.

Car travel, due to motion or the headlights from oncoming cars.

Neck pain or injury.

Sinus problems. Blocked sinuses can cause a feeling of pressure in the nose and cause a headache.

Allergies, such as food allergies (particularly in children)

Hormones. Some women find their headaches occur at certain stages of their menstrual cycle or at menopause.

Some medications. Even pain killers can have a rebound effect

What treatment is available?
Today there are very effective treatment measures. If you suffer from occasional, mild headaches you can safely take aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen (but under 12’s must not have aspirin). Ibuprofen has been shown to be particularly effective in reducing headache pain. However, if you develop an unusually severe headache or one with a sudden onset, you should seek urgent advise from your GP.

You should also talk to your GP if your headaches have only started recently and you are over the age of 50, or if they are worse with coughing, sneezing or physical activity.

If you avoid whatever triggers your headaches and they persist, you may need medication to help control them. You should work with your GP to find the type of medication that suits you. Your GP will also tell you about any possible side-effects.

Medications need to be used carefully because some of the common painkillers can actually bring on headaches if used excessively (for example, every day). If your headaches occur this frequently, your GP will be able to advise you about prevention medication (i.e. medication you can take whether you have a headache or not).

Prevention techniques
Don’t underestimate the effect that stress and worry can have. There are many forms of stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation and relaxation tapes. Choose a form of relaxation you enjoy and do it on a regular basis. You will get limited benefit only practising once or twice a week.

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Headache