Identify your headache

Click on the links below to identify your headache type: > Tension headache > The environmental headache > The hi-tech headache > Rebound headaches > Hormone headache or menstrual migraine > The diet headache > Headache from tiredness > The food headache > Migraine

Tension headache
In adults, tension-type headaches are the most common.  As the name suggests, they are usually caused by the busy work, home and social lives that we all lead.  Most people feel a ‘band’ across the forehead when they have a tension headache.  This is often accompanied by pain in the muscles in the neck and at the back of the head. Generally, tension headaches are more common in women than in men.
Triggers: Stress or anxiety Poor posture Wear and tear on the neck Depression Social problems	Facts to note: Last from thirty minutes to seven days Feel like pressing or tightening around the head – but not pulsations Bring on mild to moderate pain Resulting pain on both sides of the head
Relief of tension headaches Tension headaches can be relieved by avoiding those situations that lead to tension in the first place.  Find out what is stressing you out and put an end to it!  For everyday stress that you cannot do anything about, try applying 4head for quick, natural relief of your tension headaches.  The active ingredient of 4head is levomenthol, which is 100% natural. 4head works by causing local sensations of coldness, or tingling, followed by an analgesic effect (pain relief). This action of levomenthol is thought to involve relaxation of local blood vessels and both central and peripheral effects, which reduce sensitivity to pain signals. See also hi-tech headaches and environmental headaches

Migraine
A migraine is an intense, throbbing headache, often only on one side of the head.  Sufferers usually want to rest and keep still, preferably in a quiet, darkened room.  Migraine affects up to 15% of the UK population and around two thirds of sufferers are women.  An attack can last from 4 hours to 72 hours and sufferers may feel drained for a couple of days after that.  A migraine sufferer can experience an average of 13 attacks a year, but this can vary from person to person.  Sufferers are symptom-free between attacks.
Triggers: There are so many different triggers that cause a migraine that it is impossible to list them all.  The triggers listed here are those most frequently reported by sufferers and are divided into three groups: food triggers, environmental triggers and physiological triggers. Food triggers can include: Chocolate Citrus fruits Tomatoes Dairy products Nuts Coffee Red wine Alcohol Preservatives/flavour enhancers/MSG Aspartame i.e. synthetic sweetener	Environmental triggers can include Loud or repetitive noise Certain weather conditions (dry winds, heat) Changes in the weather Altitude changes Chemicals such as insecticides Florescent lighting or flickering lights Physiological triggers can include: Stress Birth control pills Too much or too little sleep Medicines such as antihistamines, aspirin or diuretics Hypoglycaemia and missing meals Characteristic features of migraines: Sometimes accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting and increased sensitivity to light, sound or smell Often made worse by movement 4 hours to 72 hours in length Sometimes accompanied by visual disturbances such as blind spots or flashing lights
Relieving a migraine When it comes to migraines, it is vital that you learn what the triggers are and how to avoid them.  These triggers will vary from person to person.  Unfortunately the trigger is not always clear or is sometimes impossible to avoid.  In this case, lying in a dark, cool room can help lessen the severity of the symptoms.  A cool pack placed over the eyes and forehead may also help.  There are also several migraine medicines that are available both over-the-counter and through your GP.  Please consult your GP before taking any medication for your migraine.

Rebound headaches
For some people it’s the headache remedies themselves - especially pills containing caffeine or codeine - that are believed to be the culprits in causing so-called rebound or chronic daily headaches.
Triggers: Overuse of headache treatment medicines Especially pills containing caffeine or codeine	Facts to note: Cause a dull, throbbing ache on both sides the head Do not cause sensitivity to light or sound
Relief of rebound headaches If you frequently suffer from tension headaches, you could try using 4head instead of your usual painkillers for fast, natural relief.  When taking painkillers, ensure that you are not taking more than the recommended amount as instructed on the packaging. Always consult your GP if you think you may be taking too much medication.

Hormone headache or menstrual migraine
The link between hormones and headaches and migraines is well established.  For some women, puberty brings on the first headache or migraine; for many women these return with each menstruation.  In some cases they will continue until the menopause, when levels of the hormone - oestrogen - drop.  Some women find they suffer increased migraines if they take the combined contraceptive pill. Tension headaches may occur just before or just after menstruation. This also suggests a hormone link.
Triggers: Changing levels of the hormone oestrogen in the bloodstream due to the natural menstrual cycle Changing levels of oestrogen in the bloodstream due to taking a hormonal medication e.g. contraceptive pill or HRT	Facts to note: May occur shortly before, during or after menstruation Will typically disappear during pregnancy Usually ceases altogether after the menopause
Relief of a hormone headache Tension headaches around the time of menstruation can be relieved with 4head.  Other than that, try taking a relaxing warm bath with some essential oils (essential oil of lavender is particularly good for relieving headaches) or tucking yourself up in bed to make yourself feel better.  Once your hormone levels have stabilised, your headache will go away of its own accord.

The diet headache
Dieting fads have been around for many years, with the latest weight loss miracle being replaced by a new favourite almost every year. In the past 10 years, at least 70 per cent of women in the developed world have been on a diet to lose weight.  This in itself has brought a new wave of headache sufferers.  When you don’t eat for a few hours, blood sugar levels drop – which is a common cause of headaches.  When trying to lose weight, many women increase the amount of black coffee and diet drinks that they drink – both of which contain high levels of caffeine; another cause of headaches.  Conversely, sudden withdrawal of caffeine can also cause headaches.  The recent rise in detox diets has brought on a wave of headaches for women suddenly stopping a normal caffeine intake.  Detox diets also cause headaches because the amount of toxins circulating around your body suddenly increases as your body tries to get rid of them.  These toxins can also cause headaches.
Triggers: Sudden drop in blood sugar levels High levels of caffeine Withdrawal of caffeine Detox diets	Facts to note: Are caused by changes in your diet Will normally resolve themselves once normal dietary habits are resumed
Relieving a diet headache Whatever your diet plans, it is imperative that you keep up your blood sugar levels at all times.  Starving yourself is not just bad for your head; it is bad for the rest of your body, too.  It’s not wrong to snack when you are dieting, as long as the snack food you choose is low fat and contains lots of complex carbohydrates to keep your energy up.  Headaches caused by detox diets can be combated by drinking water – lots of it!  Try to drink at least two litres of water a day when you are detoxing and any headaches you encounter should have minimal effect.

The environmental headache
The environment around us is to blame for many headaches – loud noise, bright lights, changes in weather patterns and strong smells can all be culprits. Headaches are also a common symptom of an allergy – a condition that has increased significantly in the UK recently.  The chemicals in household cleaning products and air fresheners are often blamed.
Triggers: Loud noises Bright lights Strong smells Changes in weather patterns	Facts to note: May be prevented by keeping cool in summer and warm in winter May be prevented by wearing sunglasses in bright sunlight May be relieved by resting for a while in a cool, quiet place with soft lighting
Relief of environmental headaches The most effective way to combat headaches caused by environmental factors is to put a stop to whatever it is that is causing the headache. Spring clean your house and get rid of any cleaning products containing harsh chemical ingredients that you suspect may be giving you a headache and replace them with more natural products.  Replace high wattage bulbs with low wattage bulbs, to reduce the intensity of light in your work or living space.  If you live or work in a noisy environment, it may be worth investing in double glazing to reduce outside noise.

The hi-tech headache
More and more, people are using computers both at work and at home.  They have become a major part of work and social lives for many people and the use of email as a preferred way to communicate with friends and work colleagues continues. Computer screens are a well-known culprit for causing headaches and as we use them more and more, so too will headaches increase.  Combine the effects of eyestrain, poor posture and repetitive strain injuries from staring at a screen for too long, and it’s no surprise that computers can be a real headache. In addition, the hi-tech environment of the office causes headaches for thousands of people across the UK every day.  Emissions from the photocopier and fax machine are known to cause headaches in some people, and in combination with dehydration from the air conditioning or heater, eye strain from staring at a computer screen all day and the general stress from your job, it is no wonder that lots of people complain that simply being in the office is enough to make their head throb.
Triggers: Staring at a computer screen for too long Poor posture at the desk Inhaling photocopier and fax emissions Dehydration from air conditioning or heating	Facts to note: This type of headache is extremely common It can go away once you can relax away from the office environment
Relief from hi-tech headaches The office environment does not have to be a headache.  Hi-Tech headaches can be resolved by opening a window to create a less stuffy atmosphere and by regularly taking short breaks away from your computer – at least one fifteen minute break every two hours.  Do not sit in your chair all day!  Keep active by going for a walk around the block every now and again or, if this is not possible, walk around your office and up and down the stairs to get the blood flowing.  This will help to relieve stress and therefore reduce your headaches.  Still got the ache?  Try keeping some 4head on your desk so you can quickly swipe your head if you feel a tension headache coming on.

Headache from tiredness
Lack of sleep is a common cause of headaches.  Our busy lives can mean that we do not get as much sleep as we need.  Improving your sleep patterns should lessen the onset of headaches caused by a lack of sleep.
Triggers: Lack of sleep A change in sleeping patterns	Facts to note: If you have at least seven hours of sleep a night this will resolve the lack of sleep issue
Relief of tiredness headaches Get more sleep!  If falling asleep is difficult, make sure you have taken time to relax at least an hour before you plan on going to bed and avoid any drinks containing caffeine (tea, coffee, cola) in the evening.  There are also many herbal remedies on the market, which can help you to nod off.   Some people find that a warm, decaffeinated drink and a warm shower or bath before bedtime really helps them to feel sleepy.

The food headache
For many people, headaches and other symptoms are related to certain foods that they eat.  Too much of a certain food or chemical contained in food, can cause symptoms to develop, as can sudden withdrawal from that food or chemical component.  Common substances in food that can bring on headaches are serotonin, histamine, tyramine and tryptamine.  These are in cheese, shellfish, strawberries, red wine and avocados.  For some people, headaches and other symptoms can develop after eating some of these foods. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is often blamed for causing headaches and is found in Chinese food and appears naturally in other food including Camembert cheese, Parmesan cheese, soy sauce, mushrooms and tomatoes.
Triggers: A drop in blood sugar levels Not drinking enough water Allergy to certain types of food	Facts to note: Can be avoided by identifying which foods cause the headache and avoiding them Will last as long as the food is in your system
Relief of food headaches Like a migraine, preventing a food headache is only possible when you learn to recognise and avoid the trigger.  By ensuring that you drink at least two litres of water a day, you should avoid any headaches caused by dehydration, too.  Making sure you always have an adequate blood sugar level, which can drop if you have not eaten and cause a headache.  See the section on diet headaches for more information on food headaches.