At least 90 percent of people will experience a headache at some point in life, according to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Headaches can affect almost anyone, including adults and children of all ages and races. Some people experience occasional headaches while others have chronic headache conditions. Headache treatment, however, depends largely on the cause.
NSAIDs and Acetaminophen
People with mild to moderate headaches can often treat their pain with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which are available in several prescription and non-prescription strengths. The NSAID category includes such medications as ibuprofen, aspirin and meloxicam.
Acetaminophen is another commonly used painkiller that is also available over-the-counter or in prescription form. NSAIDs and acetaminophen may be used to treat occasional headaches, or to treat breakthrough pain from chronic headache conditions such as migraines.
Antidepressants or Anticonvulsants
While antidepressants and anticonvulsants were not originally designed to relieve pain, they can prevent some chronic headache attacks or at least reduce their severity. This is called prophylactic treatment. Some people take antidepressants or anticonvulsant drugs daily to ward off migraines, muscle tension headaches or cluster headaches. These prophylactic drugs may be combined with other pain-relieving medications as needed.
Heart Medications
Heart medications are another option for prophylactic headache treatment. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers may help prevent some chronic headache attacks, according to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. These medications help regulate the blood supply, including the vessels in the brain, which may help reduce the incidence of both migraines and cluster headaches.
Triptans and Ergot Derivatives
Triptans and ergot derivatives are specialized medications that affect the way serotonin works in the brain. Because certain types of chronic headache are caused by chemical or structural changes in the brain including migraine, triptans and ergot derivatives may help some headache sufferers.
Prevention
Some headaches can be "treated" by avoiding them in the first place. For example, people who suffer from chronic headaches may increase their likelihood of a headache attack if they encounter certain triggers. These include dietary substances, such as caffeine, MSG and alcohol, as well as stress and prolonged strenuous positions. In addition, some types of headaches are secondary headaches, or those caused by another condition such as a sinus headache. Keeping that condition under control can help avoid and/or control secondary headache pain.
Alternative Treatments
Modern medicine does not always hold all of the answers, which is why some people turn to alternative treatments for their headaches. Some examples of alternative headache treatments include dietary supplements, massage, acupuncture, relaxation and yoga. Alternative medicine is effective for some people; however, alternative remedies for headaches should not be attempted without first consulting a doctor.
