Headaches

Most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of something more serious.

Headaches can last between 30 minutes and several hours.

Do

  • drink plenty of water

  • get plenty of rest if you have a cold or the flu

  • try to relax – stress can make headaches worse

  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen

Don't

  • do not drink alcohol

  • do not skip meals (even if you might not feel like eating anything)

  • do not sleep more than you usually would – it can make the headache worse

  • do not strain your eyes for a long time – for example, by looking at a screen

The most common reasons are:

  • having a cold or the flu
  • stress
  • drinking too much alcohol
  • bad posture
  • eyesight problems
  • not eating regular meals
  • not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)
  • taking too many painkillers
  • women having their period or menopause
[Last reviewed 2021-02-09]
NHS Website