Headache & Migraine
Find the pattern, ease the pain.
Tension headache
- A dull, tight band of pressure around the head.
- Usually both sides, mild to moderate, no nausea.
- Often linked to stress, poor sleep, screens or neck tension.
Migraine
- Throbbing pain, often on one side, lasting hours to days.
- Frequently with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Some people get an aura: visual flickers or tingling beforehand.
Common triggers to track
- Missed meals, dehydration, too much or too little caffeine.
- Irregular sleep, stress or the let-down after stress.
- Hormonal changes, bright or flickering light, strong smells.
- Certain foods — keep a log rather than guessing.
Common treatments
- Rest in a dark, quiet room; cold or warm compress.
- Water and a regular meal pattern.
- Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken early.
- Prescribed migraine-specific medicines (triptans) when simple pain relief fails.
- Preventive medicines when attacks are frequent.
- Beware medication-overuse headache from painkillers taken most days.
Seek medical help urgently if
- Sudden, severe headache that peaks in seconds
- Headache with fever, stiff neck or a rash
- Headache after a head injury
- Weakness, confusion, or changes in vision or speech
General information only — not a substitute for medical advice.