Headache and Migraine: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Headaches range from nuisance to disabling. This guide helps you describe patterns to a clinician. Related: understanding pain relief medicines, sleep hygiene tips.
Common headache types
Overview
What to do next
- Tension-type — band-like pressure
- Migraine — often throbbing, with sensitivity to light/sound
- Sinus or deferral headaches — need proper assessment
Migraine features
Key points
May include aura, nausea, and disability lasting hours to days. Not every severe headache is migraine — clinical assessment matters.
Practical next steps
- Note what changed and for how long.
- List current medicines and pharmacy products.
- Ask a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Triggers and diaries
Key points
Common associations: stress, irregular sleep, dehydration, menstrual cycle, alcohol, and skipped meals.
Practical next steps
- Note what changed and for how long.
- List current medicines and pharmacy products.
- Ask a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Treatment approaches
Key points
Acute options may include suitable simple analgesics such as paracetamol or aspirin when appropriate. Some people need migraine-specific prescription medicines — clinician decision only.
Practical next steps
- Note what changed and for how long.
- List current medicines and pharmacy products.
- Ask a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Medication-overuse headache
Overview
What to do next
Red flags
Overview
What to do next
- Sudden thunderclap headache
- Headache with fever and stiff neck
- New headache in pregnancy
- Neurological weakness or speech change
- Headache after head injury
Conclusion
Key points
Pattern recognition plus safer medicine use prevents chronic cycles. See how to choose the right pain relief option and pain relief medicines FAQs.
Practical next steps
- Note what changed and for how long.
- List current medicines and pharmacy products.
- Ask a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Deeper reading on headache and migraine
Key points
This section adds practical UK context on headache and migraine.
Keep paragraphs short so you can scan on a phone.
Use pain relief category for product education — not as a substitute for clinical advice.
Practical next steps
- Note what changed and for how long.
- List current medicines and pharmacy products.
- Ask a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Name the pain
Name the pain: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with type location and duration.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Related medicines and category pages
For pain education on headache and migraine, open pain relief category.
Check for duplicate ingredients before combining products.
- paracetamol — common first-line education
- aspirin — NSAID-class education (not for everyone)
- Aleve (naproxen) — naproxen education
- Celebrex (celecoxib) — COX-2 education (prescription context)
- codeine — opioid-containing education (dependence risk)
Quick comparison for scanning
| Focus | Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|---|
| Information | Use NHS and leaflet sources | Relying on unverified forums |
| Medicines | Check labels and interactions | Stacking duplicate ingredients |
| Follow-up | Book review if symptoms persist | Waiting months with red flags |
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Safer self-care
Safer self-care: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with dose limits and ingredient checks.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Remember before you act
Use pain relief category for educational product context on headache and migraine.
Do not change doses from an article alone.
- Check the patient information leaflet
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions
- Seek urgent help for red-flag symptoms
Simple next steps
- Confirm your main goal related to headache and migraine.
- Check current medicines for overlaps.
- Open pain relief category only for educational context.
- Speak to a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Movement and rest
Movement and rest: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with pacing heat cold and physio.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Remember before you act
Use pain relief category for educational product context on headache and migraine.
Do not change doses from an article alone.
- Check the patient information leaflet
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions
- Seek urgent help for red-flag symptoms
Quick comparison for scanning
| Focus | Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|---|
| Information | Use NHS and leaflet sources | Relying on unverified forums |
| Medicines | Check labels and interactions | Stacking duplicate ingredients |
| Follow-up | Book review if symptoms persist | Waiting months with red flags |
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Medicine classes
Medicine classes: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with simple analgesia NSAIDs and caution.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Remember before you act
Use pain relief category for educational product context on headache and migraine.
Do not change doses from an article alone.
- Check the patient information leaflet
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions
- Seek urgent help for red-flag symptoms
Simple next steps
- Confirm your main goal related to headache and migraine.
- Check current medicines for overlaps.
- Open pain relief category only for educational context.
- Speak to a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Red flags
Red flags: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with urgent symptoms that need help.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Remember before you act
Use pain relief category for educational product context on headache and migraine.
Do not change doses from an article alone.
- Check the patient information leaflet
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions
- Seek urgent help for red-flag symptoms
Quick comparison for scanning
| Focus | Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|---|
| Information | Use NHS and leaflet sources | Relying on unverified forums |
| Medicines | Check labels and interactions | Stacking duplicate ingredients |
| Follow-up | Book review if symptoms persist | Waiting months with red flags |
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Trusted sources
Trusted sources: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with NHS NICE analgesia and MHRA.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Related medicines and category pages
For pain education on headache and migraine, open pain relief category.
Check for duplicate ingredients before combining products.
- paracetamol — common first-line education
- aspirin — NSAID-class education (not for everyone)
- Aleve (naproxen) — naproxen education
- Celebrex (celecoxib) — COX-2 education (prescription context)
- codeine — opioid-containing education (dependence risk)
Simple next steps
- Confirm your main goal related to headache and migraine.
- Check current medicines for overlaps.
- Open pain relief category only for educational context.
- Speak to a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Sleep and pain
Sleep and pain: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with night pain plans and mattress support.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Remember before you act
Use pain relief category for educational product context on headache and migraine.
Do not change doses from an article alone.
- Check the patient information leaflet
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions
- Seek urgent help for red-flag symptoms
Quick comparison for scanning
| Focus | Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|---|
| Information | Use NHS and leaflet sources | Relying on unverified forums |
| Medicines | Check labels and interactions | Stacking duplicate ingredients |
| Follow-up | Book review if symptoms persist | Waiting months with red flags |
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Flare planning
Flare planning: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with what to do on bad days.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Remember before you act
Use pain relief category for educational product context on headache and migraine.
Do not change doses from an article alone.
- Check the patient information leaflet
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions
- Seek urgent help for red-flag symptoms
Simple next steps
- Confirm your main goal related to headache and migraine.
- Check current medicines for overlaps.
- Open pain relief category only for educational context.
- Speak to a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Work and daily life
Work and daily life: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with pacing desks and lifting.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Remember before you act
Use pain relief category for educational product context on headache and migraine.
Do not change doses from an article alone.
- Check the patient information leaflet
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions
- Seek urgent help for red-flag symptoms
Quick comparison for scanning
| Focus | Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|---|
| Information | Use NHS and leaflet sources | Relying on unverified forums |
| Medicines | Check labels and interactions | Stacking duplicate ingredients |
| Follow-up | Book review if symptoms persist | Waiting months with red flags |
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Review and referral
Review and referral: a quick overview
When you think about headache and migraine, start with when pharmacy advice is not enough.
Write down what changed, how long it lasted, and how it affected work or sleep.
Short notes help a GP or pharmacist give clearer advice.
Avoid changing medicines based only on an article.
What to note before you seek advice
- Main symptom linked to headache and migraine
- When it started and what makes it better or worse
- Current medicines, including pharmacy and herbal products
- Sleep, mood, and work impact in plain words
Bring this list to your appointment.
It saves time and reduces missed details.
Remember before you act
Use pain relief category for educational product context on headache and migraine.
Do not change doses from an article alone.
- Check the patient information leaflet
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions
- Seek urgent help for red-flag symptoms
Simple next steps
- Confirm your main goal related to headache and migraine.
- Check current medicines for overlaps.
- Open pain relief category only for educational context.
- Speak to a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.
Keep expectations realistic for headache and migraine.
Progress often comes from steady habits plus safe medicine use when clinically appropriate.
Category medicines to explore (educational)
Key points
These links are for education and product context only.
Licensing, stock, and prescribing rules can change.
Practical next steps
- Note what changed and for how long.
- List current medicines and pharmacy products.
- Ask a pharmacist or GP before changing treatment.