Treatments for Headache

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Treatment aims to reduce the frequency of headaches and ease the pain.

Headaches are treated with lifestyle changes and medicine. People with cluster or chronic sinus headaches may need surgery.

Headaches may be treated with:

Lifestyle changes Medications Surgery Alternative and complementary treatments Other

References

Cluster headache. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116292/Cluster-headache. Updated February 16, 2016. Accessed January 11, 2019.

Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018 Jan;38(1):1-211.

Headache—frequently asked questions. National Headache Foundation website. Available at: https://headaches.org/about/frequently-asked-questions/. Accessed January 11, 2019.

Headaches, rebound. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Updated March 2, 2018. Accessed January 11, 2019.

Migraine in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114718/Migraine-in-adults. Updated November 8, 2018. Accessed January 11, 2019.

NINDS headache information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Headache-Information-Page. Accessed January 11, 2019.

Tension-type headache. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114522/Tension-type-headache. Updated February 8, 2017. Accessed January 11, 2019.

Revision Information

Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD
Review Date: 12/2018
Update Date: 01/11/2019

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.