Headache is a condition that can be experienced by everyone. Headaches can be triggered by things like noise, stress, dehydration, certain foods or skipping meals, and even sex. If you have a very severe headache, you can try treating it at home or going to the doctor if the pain is interfering with your normal activities.
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Method 1 of 2: Relieve Headaches at Home
Step 1. Take painkillers
Over-the-counter medications can treat most headaches easily. Take over-the-counter medications to help relieve pain. However, if the pain persists for a long time, consult a doctor to check if there is a more serious medical condition.
- Take ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, or aspirin, to help relieve headaches.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers are also great for relieving tension headaches.
Step 2. Drink caffeine
Many over-the-counter headache medications contain caffeine. There is some evidence to suggest that small amounts of caffeine can relieve headache pain, but drinking too much can lead to withdrawal (a symptom of stopping eating something) and have the opposite effect that the pain will get worse.
- Drink no more than 500 mg of caffeine per day, which is about 5 cups of coffee.
- Try consuming drinks that contain caffeine such as one cup of coffee, chocolate milk, soda or tea to relieve headaches.
- Drinks containing caffeine can help relieve pain more quickly when taken with painkillers because they help the body absorb the drug more quickly.
Step 3. Use heat therapy
Using heat to relieve headaches can not only relax muscle tension in the neck and head, it can also help relieve pain. You can use various types of heat therapy, from heating pads to warm baths to help relieve very severe headaches.
Step 4. Take a shower or bath with warm water
You can take a warm bath with the shower or soak in the tub. Warm water can soothe tense muscles and help relieve headaches quickly.
- Make sure you use water that is between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius so you don't overheat your skin. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water.
- A bathtub equipped with a whirlpool tub can help relieve headaches because the jets of water will massage your muscles and relax you.
- Epsom salt has a sedative effect and can help relieve headaches and relax you.
Step 5. Use a cold compress
Place a cold compress on the neck and head. This can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
- You can use an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time as often as needed.
- You can use water frozen in a plastic cup to gently massage the painful area.
- You can also use frozen vegetables wrapped in a dishwasher. Frozen vegetables conform to the shape of the neck and can be more comfortable than ice packs.
- Remove the ice pack if it feels too cold or your skin feels numb. Use a towel between the skin and the ice to prevent frostbite.
Step 6. Do massage
Massage on the neck, head, and even shoulders can relieve muscle tension and spasms that can cause headaches. A massage therapist can feel tight and tense muscles and then massage them.
- There are various types of massage, including Swedish massage and deep tissue massage. The massage therapist will select the appropriate method based on the analysis and apply it in the massage session after getting approval.
- You can find a qualified massage therapist on the internet or through a doctor's recommendation.
- If you can't find a professional massage therapist, try self-massage. You can relieve a severe headache by massaging your face, temples, or even your ears.
Step 7. Do acupressure to relieve pain
Some doctors recommend stimulating acupressure points to help relieve the tension in the shoulders and neck that causes headaches. You can help relieve headaches by learning the five acupressure points and doing an acupressure massage on yourself.
- In particular, you should stimulate these acupressure points: GB 20 (Feng Chi), LI4 (He Gu), GB21 (Jian Jing), LI10 (Shou San Li), and TE3 (Zhong Zhu).
- To find these points and for guidance on how to do acupressure for headache relief, watch the video at
- If so, find an Eastern medicine practitioner in your area for acupressure.
Step 8. Drink water to meet fluid needs
Some studies show that not drinking enough water can cause headaches. Drink enough water to help relieve headaches.
To meet fluid needs, you do not need to consume other fluids other than water. If you want to drink juices or sports drinks, drink them with water throughout the day
Step 9. Have a small snack
Several types of headaches can occur because a person does not eat in sufficient quantities. Have a small snack if there is no food in your stomach to relieve a headache.
- Some good examples of snacks include fruit, nuts, canned soup, and granola. You can also have yogurt or hummus and pita (a type of bread).
- If your headache causes nausea or vomiting, you may not want or may not be able to prevent it. If this is the case, try consuming broth. In addition, immediately go to the doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Step 10. Use aromatherapy to soothe a headache
Try using essential oils, which research has shown to relax you. Certain scents, such as lavender, can help relieve headaches.
- Some essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, chamomile, peppermint, bergamot and eucalyptus can help relieve headaches.
- Essential oils can be used in several ways. You can massage it into your temples or ears, or use a scent diffuser.
- You can reduce pain by sucking on eucalyptus gum and peppermint.
Step 11. Rest in a dark and quiet place
Resting and relaxing can often help relieve severe headache pain. By adjusting factors like temperature and darkness, getting comfortable bedding, and getting rid of annoying electronics, you can get rid of headaches quickly.
- Set the temperature in the bedroom to between 15-23 degrees Celsius to get an optimal sleeping atmosphere.
- As much as possible remove the TV, computer, and work material from the bedroom so you can rest without stress or stimulation.
- Light can stimulate you to stay awake, so make the room dark enough for your brain to rest and fall asleep. Use blinds or an eye mask to help reduce light exposure.
- Noise can also disrupt sleep and make headaches worse. Make your room quiet and consider using a white noise player to mask the noise that wafts into the bedroom.
- A comfortable mattress, pillow, and blanket can help you relax and fall asleep.
Step 12. Meditate for a few minutes
Meditation is a powerful method for curing headaches. Take a few minutes to meditate when you have a headache, to reduce the headache and relax you.
- Meditation can force you to get rid of the distractions that are around you. Times when all these distractions disappear can help you relax.
- Start by meditating for 5 to 10 minutes and gradually increase the time as needed.
- Find a comfortable and quiet place where you won't be disturbed. In the absence of distractions, it's easier for you to focus on your breathing, reduce pain, and let go of any thoughts or sensations that may arise.
- Sit quietly and upright, then close your eyes. Correct posture is an important part of meditation. This posture allows your breath and blood to flow, which will help your brain learn to focus on one point. Closing your eyes can help you to get rid of all distractions.
- Breathe lightly and evenly. Don't control your breath; let your breath flow by itself. A good technique to help with concentration is to simply focus on your breath by saying "let it go" when you inhale and "go" when you exhale.
Step 13. Frame or imagine you are in a relaxing place
If you are in a location that makes your headache worse, imagine that you are somewhere else, such as at the beach. Framing is a behavioral technique that can help shape the way you think and feel about certain situations and can help relieve headaches.
For example, if you have a really bad headache and kids are screaming around you, take a deep breath and imagine you're at a beach or any place you like
Method 2 of 2: Consult a Doctor for Treatment
Step 1. Consult a doctor
Go to the doctor if home remedies don't work for your headache. Your doctor will rule out any underlying conditions and develop a treatment plan for you.
- The doctor will make the correct diagnosis and rule out opposing diagnoses to determine the appropriate therapy.
- The doctor will determine if the patient needs additional testing at the appointment. Additional testing may include blood pressure checks, blood tests, additional cardiovascular reviews, head imaging, and so on.
Step 2. Take any prescribed or prescribed preventative medication
Depending on the severity and type of headache you are experiencing, your doctor may prescribe strong painkillers as well as preventative medications to prevent further headache attacks.
- Your doctor may prescribe painkillers such as zolmitriptan and sumatriptan.
- Doctors can give preventive drugs such as metoprolol tartrate, amitriptyline, propranolol, divalproex sodium, and topiramate.
- Many preventive medications are very effective at treating migraines because they can counteract painful constriction or enlargement of blood vessels.
- Very severe headaches can also be prevented with some antidepressant drugs.
Step 3. Try oxygen therapy to treat cluster headaches
Oxygen therapy is considered one of the best treatments for treating cluster headaches. You should inhale oxygen using a face mask, and in about 15 minutes your headache should be gone.
Oxygen therapy is the most effective way if used correctly at the beginning of a headache attack. Continue treatment when another headache attack begins
Step 4. Try another treatment
Maybe you can consult a doctor about other treatments that are rarely used. These treatments include botox injections and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
- Numerous studies have shown that botox, which is a type A Botulinum toxin, can help relieve and prevent severe headaches. Discuss this treatment with your doctor if your headache does not go away when treated with standard therapy.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation uses electric currents to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, which can help minimize pain associated with headaches and headache recurrence.
