Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.
General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.
Most everyday headaches are tension-type headaches, and headache relief usually comes from rest, fluids, a heat pack or gentle neck stretches, and a simple pain reliever if you need one. The catch is that using pain relievers too often can cause headaches of its own. A pharmacist can help you find the right balance.
This Q&A is part of our common illnesses A–Z. It covers the questions we’re asked most at the counter, and the warning signs that mean you need a doctor, not a pharmacy.
What kind of headache do I have?
Headaches fall into a few broad groups. Knowing which one you have helps you choose what to do.
| Type | What it usually feels like |
|---|---|
| Tension-type headache | The most common kind. A dull, tight or pressing ache on both sides of the head, sometimes with sore neck and shoulders. Healthdirect says it can last from 30 minutes to 7 days. |
| Migraine | Often a throbbing pain on one side, with nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. Some people have visual changes first. |
| Cluster headache | Rare but very severe. Stabbing or burning pain behind one eye, often with a watery eye and runny nose, and it can happen several times a day. |
| Sinus headache | Pressure in the forehead or cheekbones, which may feel worse when you bend forward. |
| Medication-overuse headache | Frequent headaches caused by taking pain relief too often. It can feel like a tension headache or a migraine. |
Migraine has its own entry in our A–Z, as the options are a little different.
What triggers a tension headache?
Healthdirect lists several common triggers:
- stress, anxiety or low mood;
- not enough sleep;
- poor posture, such as hunching over a laptop or phone;
- eye strain from screens or reading;
- dehydration;
- caffeine withdrawal (for example, skipping your usual coffee);
- overusing pain relievers.
Skipping meals, bright light, strong smells and loud noise can also play a part. On the Gold Coast, dehydration is a big one. A long day at the beach or the theme parks in summer heat and humidity, with more sun than water, is a classic set-up for a pounding head by dinnertime.
What can I do at home for headache relief?
- Drink water. Especially if you’ve been out in the heat or had alcohol.
- Rest somewhere quiet. A dim, quiet room can help.
- Try heat or cold. A warm pack on your neck or a cool compress on your forehead.
- Loosen tight muscles. Gentle neck stretches, a shoulder massage or a short walk.
- Step away from screens. Take regular breaks and check your desk set-up.
- Look after your sleep and meals. Regular sleep and not skipping meals help many people.
- Manage stress. Relaxation, exercise and time out all count.
Some people find physiotherapy or acupuncture helpful for recurring tension headaches.
Which pain reliever should I take?
Paracetamol and ibuprofen are common choices for tension-type headaches. They’re not right for everyone, though. Ibuprofen isn’t suitable for some people, including those with certain stomach, kidney or heart conditions, some people with asthma, and during pregnancy. Some combination products and stronger pain relievers are only available after a pharmacist’s advice, and some need a prescription.
Ask your pharmacist which suits you, and follow the label or your pharmacist’s advice. Take care with cold and flu tablets too, as they often contain the same pain relievers. Doubling up by accident is easy to do.
Can pain relievers make headaches worse?
Yes. This is called medication-overuse headache (you may have heard it called “rebound headache”). If you take pain relief for headaches very often, your brain can become more sensitive to pain, and the headaches become more frequent.
Healthdirect says the risk is higher if you use:
- paracetamol or anti-inflammatory pain relievers on more than 15 days a month; or
- pain relievers that contain caffeine, or stronger prescription pain relievers, on more than 10 days a month.
For tension headaches specifically, healthdirect suggests limiting pain relief to 2 or 3 times a week. If you’re reaching for tablets more often than that, it’s time to talk to a pharmacist or GP. Don’t just keep going. There are better long-term options, and a doctor can help you safely cut back if needed.
How can a pharmacist help?
You can talk to our pharmacists without an appointment. We can:
- help work out what type of headache you might have;
- check that a pain reliever is safe with your other medicines and health conditions;
- spot signs of medication-overuse headache;
- suggest practical changes for common triggers;
- tell you when a headache needs a GP or emergency care.
If you take several regular medicines, a medication review can check whether any of them might be contributing.
When should I see a GP about headaches?
Book in with your GP if:
- your headaches are more frequent or severe than usual;
- they get in the way of work, sleep or everyday life;
- you need pain relief more than twice a week;
- you have a new type of headache that’s different from any you’ve had before.
Our in-store Help Medical GPs are handy if you’re already at Pacific Fair.
Call 000 if you have
- a sudden, severe headache;
- a headache with vomiting, confusion, a stiff neck, fever or changes in your vision;
- a headache with loss of balance or a seizure.
These can be signs of a serious problem. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to your nearest emergency department.
Sources
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.
Talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair
Pop in, no appointment needed. We’re on the ground floor of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach, open 7 days and until 9pm on Thursdays.