Seven in 10 Americans suffer from at least one headache a year. Headaches generally last for a few hours, though some may last several weeks. The most common cause of a headache is stress in the neck and scalp, as well as bad posture, according to the American College of Physicians. Though tension headaches are the most common type, other types include migraine, sinus and cluster headaches.
Pain Medications
A variety of medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, are available to treat headaches. Pain medications will only treat symptoms of the headache and not the cause, and overuse may render the medication ineffective. Headache sufferers should not use over-the-counter medications to treat headaches for longer than nine days out of a month, warns the Mayo Clinic, advising that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are the first line of treatment in curing a headache. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Prescription NSAIDs are stronger in strength; examples include ketorolac and indomethacin.
Combination drugs are also available and contain either caffeine or a sedative. Caution is advised when taking a combination drug containing a sedative. Addiction is common, which may lead to daily chronic headaches. Acetaminophen is not recommended for headache relief, cautions the Mayo Clinic. The drug is not as effective as NSAIDs and may lead to medication overuse headaches.
Home Remedies and Treatments
Remedies such as taking a hot shower or bath and applying ice packs to sore muscles may relieve tension headaches. The Mayo Clinic points out some people prefer heat therapy instead of ice and use heating pads or hot compresses. Massaging the muscles of the neck, shoulders and head assists in relaxation. Also try releasing stress by meditating, doing yoga or simply stretching muscles. Managing daily activities and organizing a schedule may lessen stress.
Biofeedback and Relaxation
Biofeedback is a relaxation technique used to treat migraine headaches and other conditions. Using biofeedback results in a 45 to 60 percent reduction in headache duration and severity, reports the American Headache Society. Sessions usually take about one hour, and learning biofeedback can take several weeks. Additional relaxation techniques and sessions are commonly learned in a clinical setting by visiting a trained psychologist, where you will learn how to focus on muscle groups and deep breathing. These techniques take time to implement and positive outcomes are not immediate.
