How caffeine can help you manage your headache and three more tips

Headaches are something that almost all of us face at some point.

They can last from a minute to days and the pain can be sharp, stimulating, stimulating or flowing and sometimes spread to your head in your scalp, face or even your neck.

Dr Xand Van Tulleken, Who hosts the BBC’s What docs wellness podcastknows everything very well and says that he gets headaches once a month or every six weeks and it “feels like someone is drilling my eyeball”.

While it’s easy to get excited about what could be behind a bad headache, Dr Katy Munro, a GP and Expert in National Migraine Centersays it is something serious.

“It’s natural to worry that something is seriously wrong, but the chances of that actually being low,” he explains.

He advises that if it’s your “first or worst headache, get it to a doctor,” but if you’re getting a milder pattern, there are some simple things you can try at home as well. Seeing your GP.

Dr Xand says that understanding your own headaches can be surprisingly helpful often without a reason that keeping a diary can help you Spot patterns.

For some people, weather like thunder and lightning can trigger it, while for others it can be light sensitivity.

“The worst time for me is when we’re driving in the autumn and the sun is low and the sun is going through the trees … it’s going down on Dr Munro.

It is worth pointing out things like:

• What you do when the headache starts
• What you eat or drink
• How did you sleep
• The weather
• For women, track your menstrual cycle, as headaches can be linked to hormonal changes.

However, DR Munro cautions that you should not overdo it.

“I make the mistake of making mine too detailed, which is sad. Instead keep it simple and maybe write a number from one to 10 to sum up how it affects your day.

“It’s also useful to keep track of how many crystal clear days you have, not just the bad ones.

Your doctor can review these to help identify patterns.

You might think that caffeine is something you should avoid if you have a headache but Dr Munro says the truth is more nuanced.

In small, careful doses, it can be more effective if you don’t have a lot of caffeine every day.

“Caffeine is a co-analgesic which means it enhances the effect of a painkiller,” explains Dr Munro in the afternoon and evening that disrupts your sleep.

It is also worth thinking about your consumeine consumption more – consuming every day can cause headaches and if you suddenly have a headache.

What you eat and when can make a difference when you suffer from headaches.

Dr Munro recommends a diet similar to the Mediterranean one that is full of protein, healthy fats and complex carbs that help to stabilize your energy levels.

You should avoid quick release sugary snacks and definitely not skip meals as a common trigger.

Dr Munro says she has found her headaches helped by cutting out dairy and gluten, although that is not universal.

“I also found that eating regularly and taking lunch to work made a difference,” she said.

As well as thinking about diet, Dr Munro says regular exercise, good sleep, managing stress and staying hydrated can also help reduce headaches.

You should drink enough during the day so that your PEE is a pale yellow color and you don’t pass out.

“There are many things, such as painkillers or anti-inflammatory tablets, you can buy over the counter that can help manage headaches,” said Dr Munro.

He cautions that you should avoid “anything that contains codeine” because it can make some headaches more frequent and worsen symptoms like nausea.

“Painkillers can work really well but it depends on how bad your headache is.

“If they are frequent or severe, your GP can help you find a more suitable drug.”

Make sure you don’t regularly take painkillers more than two days a week as this will reduce your risk of headaches.