Tips on Headache Medicine

2008-01-17 15:13:16

( Pharmeceutical-Medical )



Headaches and Their Causes

Headaches come in different frequencies and degrees of pain. There are headaches that come and go regularly, as well as headaches that are severe and acute.

Simple episodes of headaches are usually caused by lack of sleep or stress, while other types of headaches may indicate more serious medical conditions. Some headaches, like migraine, result from neurological and physiological malfunction. Many headaches are symptoms of other diseases or conditions such as sinusitis, brain tumor, hypertension, and meningitis.

Types of Headache Medicine

Milder headaches, especially arising from a cold or stress, can easily be relieved by aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen based oral medication. You can obtain these headache medicines easily over the counter, and they are quite effective in relieving the headache within a few hours. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen forms are mild enough not to upset your stomach, compared to aspirin which is fairly strong and should only be taken with food.

There are also the more specialized forms of headache medicine that directly treat certain medical conditions and thus alleviate headaches. Migraine medicine, particularly triptans and ergot derivatives, address the more severe cases of migraine headaches.

There are also non-oral forms of headache medicine, like sinus headache medicines in the form of nasal sprays which clear up congestion and thus relieve the source of the pain. Mentholated creams, ointments and oils can also help soothe headaches when applied on the site of the pain such as the temples and forehead.

Valuable Advice to the Patient

If your headache was due to stress or fatigue, the best solution is to stop whatever you are doing and get some rest. You don't really need to take any headache medicine unless the pain is severe or intolerable.

While most over the counter medications are quite safe, you should still consult your physician about proper dosage. Follow the prescribed quantity and length of time. Remember that overdosing is extremely dangerous.

If the headache does not go away, or if the medication caused side effects and complications, seek medical advice immediately.

And if you are suffering from headaches too often, consult your doctor. You may need to undergo other tests to identify the true cause of your headaches.


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