To help ease a headache, drink plenty of water, try to rest and relax, and take paracetamol and ibuprofen if you need to.

Common causes of headaches include having a cold or the flu, stress, drinking too much alcohol and eyesight problems.

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

See a GP if:

• your headache keeps coming back
• painkillers do not help and your headache gets worse
• you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head – it could be a migraine or, more rarely, a cluster headache
• you feel sick, vomit and find light or noise painful

Get advice from 111 now if:

You have a severe headache and:

• your jaw hurts when eating
• blurred or double vision
• your scalp feels sore
• you get other symptoms – for example, your arms or legs feel numb or weak

111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• you injured or hit your head badly – for example, from a fall or accident
• a headache came on suddenly and is extremely painful

You have an extremely painful headache and:

• sudden problems speaking or remembering things
• loss of vision
• you're feeling drowsy or confused
• you have a very high temperature, feel hot and shivery, and have a stiff neck or a rash
• the white part of your eye is red

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

Page last reviewed: 09-02-2021
Next review due:09-02-2024