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
- Having your period or during menopause
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