Headaches and migraines

Most headaches come from everyday things like too little water, too much screen time, skipped meals or stress, all of which become more likely when you are studying hard on your own. Learn the simple fixes and the few signs that are serious.

Common causes

• The NHS lists colds and flu, stress, poor posture, eyesight problems, skipping meals, dehydration, taking too many painkillers and periods among common causes.
• Long revision sessions on a laptop combine several of these at once: screen strain, a hunched back, forgotten meals and too little water.
• If you notice you need to squint or get headaches after reading, book an eye test; see the Health Admin module.

What helps

• Drink water, rest and try to relax; stress can make headaches worse (NHS).
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help, following the label.
• The NHS says do not skip meals, sleep much more than usual, strain your eyes for a long time (for example at a screen) or drink alcohol.
• Practical study habits: a glass of water at your desk, a short break away from the screen every hour, and a proper meal, not just snacks.

Migraine

• A migraine is usually a throbbing headache, which can be severe and is often on one side of the head, with feeling or being sick and being very sensitive to light and sound (NHS).
• Some people get an aura first, such as zigzag lines or flashing lights, pins and needles or difficulty speaking; aura should not last more than 1 hour.
• During an attack, rest in a dark room and take painkillers as soon as the headache starts.
• Triggers can include periods, stress, tiredness, skipping meals and too much caffeine; a migraine diary can help you find yours.
• See a GP if attacks are severe, getting worse, happen more than once a week or regularly come with your period.

Painkiller overuse

• The NHS lists taking too many painkillers as a cause of headaches.
• For migraine, the NHS advises trying not to take painkillers for more than 2 days a week, because frequent use can cause more headaches.
• If you find yourself reaching for painkillers most days, that is a reason to see a doctor, not to take more.

Red flags: when a headache is an emergency

• Call 999 (998 in the UAE) or go to A&E if a headache started suddenly and is extremely painful, or comes with a seizure, numbness or weakness in the body or face, or difficulty speaking, balancing, walking or remembering things.
• Also call for a headache with drowsiness or confusion, loss of vision, a head injury within the last 3 months, or a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it.
• Also call for a headache with a very high temperature, a stiff neck, or bright lights bothering you; these can be signs of meningitis (see the red flags lesson).
• Get urgent advice (NHS 111) for a headache with vision or eye problems, with vomiting, or one triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing, bending down or exercising.