What to Take for a Headache?

Aheadache, also known as cephalalgia, is one of the nervous system conditions that affects a large part of the population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this is a problem faced by 50% of the adult population. This symptom is always troublesome, although, depending on the intensity,it can become disablingand stop you from getting on with your day-to-day life as normal.

There are different types of headache, and not all of them should be treated in the same way. AtFarmaciasdirectwe want to explain the causes of headaches andwhat to take for a headache.

Causes of headache

Headache is directly related to a malfunction in our nervous system. Thecauses can be multiple,but here are some of the most common:

• Cold or flu
• Otitis
• Sinusitis
• Tooth decay or dental abscesses
• Bruxism
• Lack of sleep or a change in your usual sleep schedule (jet lag)
• Dehydration
• Stress, nervousness and tension
• Hormonal changes before, during or after your menstrual period
• High exposure to bright lights, strong smells or continuous smoke
• Too much time in front of screens, such as computers, television, mobile phones, etc.
• Consumption of caffeine or alcohol

If you suffer from recurrent pain, try to find outwhat is causingit, so it is easier for your doctor to identify an effective solution for your headaches. You can also identify theintensity and locationof the pain, which will help the professional work out the possible causes.

Treatment for headaches

At the pharmacy, you can find a wide range ofpainkillers and anti-inflammatoriesthat can be very useful for relieving the pain you feel in your head caused by the nervous system. It is important to identify what type of pain you have and how intense it is, in order to determine which medicine is most suitable. If you have a mild headache, we recommend that you do not turn to medicines straight away. Try torest somewhere quiet,dark and peaceful for a while. You can massage the area around your skull and even apply cloths soaked in cold water to your forehead. If rest does not work or the pain is more intense, you may need to reach for your medicine cabinet. If your headaches are recurrent, it is advisable to avoid self-medicating andsee your doctor,so they can rule out a more serious condition or try a more effective treatment. Here, we are going to show you what to take for a headache.

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is one of the medicines that can best help you fight a headache. It is apainkiller that will soothe your painwithin a few minutes. At present, this is the first-choice medicine for reducing fever or treating a headache, and it does not carry the gastrointestinal risks associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. The dose that usually works to relieve a headache is between500 and 650 milligrams.You can repeat the dose every 6 to 8 hours, always bearing in mind that the daily dose in adults must not exceed 4 grams.

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen can be more effective if you have a headache, because as well as being apainkiller, it is anti-inflammatory. This means that if your pain is caused by inflammation in the nervous system, this medicine will be the most effective at relieving the symptoms you are experiencing. However, it has a direct effect on the gastrointestinal system, soit is not recommended to overusethis medicine. A dose of between 500 and 650 milligrams will be enough, and you can repeat it every 6 to 8 hours, depending on the pain you feel or whether you are alternating these tablets with another medicine.

Aspirin

Aspirin is based onacetylsalicylic acid,a very effective formula for treating mild or moderate headaches. As it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, it may have some negative effects on the gastrointestinal system in patients who take it. Now you knowwhat to take for a headache.Take a look at our onlineFarmaciasdirectplatform, so you can have medicines ready at home and relieve headaches when they appear. If your headache is recurrent, you should see a doctor so they can carry out a more personalised assessment.Bibliography:

• Gómez, M. V. (2008). Tension-type headache: diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment. Acta Neurol Colomb, 24(3), S14-S27.
• Pascual, F. H., Díaz, M. S. M., del Barrio, M. A., & Izquierdo, A. Y. (2007). Headache. Medicine: Accredited Continuing Medical Education Programme, 9(70), 4465-4472.