What should you do when you have a headache?

[pollcolingwood]

Hi Friends,
Headache is a pretty common complaint for those who use their head (aka brain). The situation is called cephalalgia in medical terminology. Headaches are of many types and range from some minor discomfort to migraine and to those that are severe and prolonged. Not all headaches require medical attention.

There are some simple 'acute treatment' therapies we can take to cure headaches. These include:
* pain killers or analgesics such as aspirin and paracetamol (eg Panadol)
* pain killers or analgesics combined with codeine (eg Panadeine)
* pain killers or analgesics combined with a sedative (eg Mersyndol, Fiorinal)
* non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (eg Nurofen).
These products are effective and safe when taken according to the directions. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist, as some products are not recommended with certain health conditions or for children. Mild tension-type headaches usually respond readily. For severe headaches that do not respond, if medication is required several times a week, or for problems in taking medication, a doctor should be consulted.
Prescription medications taken to treat more severe headaches include
* Stronger NSAIDs
* Analgesics containing stronger narcotic-type analgesics
* Ergots such as ergotamine (eg Cafergot) that have a specific action against migraine
* Triptans such as sumatriptan (eg Imigran), naratriptan (eg Naramig), zolmitriptan (eg Zomig) that have a specific action against migraine
* Anti-nausea drugs such as metoclopramide (Maxolon), prochlorperazine (Stemetil) and domperidone (Motilium).

[iR00T]

Smoke a joint or drink a beer.