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Headaches: Signs, Symptoms and Relief

  • Headaches are quite common
  • Most of us will suffer from them at some stage
  • Not every headache feels the same or has the same cause.

What to do:

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day
  • Lie in a dark, quiet room and try to sleep if possible
  • Try putting warm or cool compresses on your forehead and neck
  • Relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation
  • A gentle and firm massage to your neck, temples, scalp and shoulders may help

What to avoid:

  • Drinking alcohol, coffee, tea or other trigger foods
  • Skipping meals – try to stick to consistent mealtimes
  • Sleeping irregularly – improving your sleeping routine and ensuring your back is straight while sleeping may be helpful
  • Spending too much time sitting or in front of a screen – take frequent breaks and stretch

Common types of headaches:

Possible triggers include:

  • Sinus congestion as a result of a cold
  • Muscle tension, sometimes due to poor posture
  • High levels of stress
  • Lack of sleep or oversleeping
  • Certain foods or drinks, like alcohol or coffee
  • Skipping meals
  • Dehydration
  • Hormonal changes in women (e.g. due to birth control pills or having your period)
  • Changes in weather or temperature
  • Long distance travel
  • Strong smells, loud noise or bright lights

Common types of headaches:

Sinus-related headaches

Sinus headaches can occur as a result of inflammation of your sinuses and the build-up of mucus. This results in a feeling of pressure and pain in your face and forehead, and sometimes around the eyes.

Tension headaches

A tension headache is usually described as a pressure or tightness around your head, like a tight band. It can feel like a dull ache on both sides of your head, and you may also feel pain in your neck and shoulders.

Migraines

The wide range of symptoms of a migraine can include a throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head and sometimes accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. The pain can make it difficult to carry on your usual activities. You may also experience some symptoms before you feel the headache, including seeing flashes of light or blind spots, or feeling tingling or numbness in your body.

Taking pain relief medication can also help. Ibuprofen is one such pain reliever medication. It helps to relieve pain, fever and inflammation. Nurofen Quickzorb contains a form of ibuprofen called ibuprofen lysine, which starts to be absorbed faster in the body than standard forms of ibuprofen, and is effective for relieving headaches, including tension headaches, migraine and sinus pain. For migraines there are also other medications available, speak with your doctor for further advice.

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent a headache occurring and there are ways to ease the symptoms, if and when you have one.

This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. Incorrect use could be harmful. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional. Do not use if you have a stomach ulcer. Do not give to babies under 3 months of age. Seek medical advice for children under 12 months of age. Reckitt Benckiser, Auckland. TAPS-NA12948. RB-M-36350

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