Healthy Matters
Resources
  • Healthy Matters
    Drugs A-Z
    Pharmacist Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
    Nutritionist Tips | Facts | Precautions
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Herbs
    Practitioner Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Prescriptions
  • Healthy Matters
    Expert Advisory Board
Articles
  • Healthy Matters
    Specialists Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Other Services Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Vaccination
  • Healthy Matters
    Parenting Guides
Health Topics
  • Healthy Matters
    Allergy & Immunology
  • Healthy Matters
    Baby & Child's Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Beauty
  • Healthy Matters
    Bone & Muscle Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Cancer & Tumor
  • Healthy Matters
    Common Illnesses
  • Healthy Matters
    Digestive Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Eye Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Fitness
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
  • Healthy Matters
    Heart & Vascular Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Infectious Diseases
  • Healthy Matters
    Medical Tests
  • Healthy Matters
    Mental Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Pregnancy
  • Healthy Matters
    Respiratory Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Sexual Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Skin Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Urological Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Women's Health
Healthy Offers
Health Check
  • Basic Health Screening for $1600 (Original: $3,120)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Premier Health Screening (Female) for $4,500 (Original: $9,120)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Premier Health Screening (Male) for $4,200 (Original: $8,760)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Stroke Risk Assessment for $7,100 (Original: 9,430)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Cardiac & Coronary Assessment for $5,800 (Original: $8,330)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Bone Health Screening for $1,600 (Original: $2,990)
    Trinity Medical Centre
Eye Health
  • Myopia Control Assessment for Children : Privileged Price - HK$400
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan for Adult - HK$500
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan (For SMILE PRO) - HK$400
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan (For ICL) - HK$580
    Clarity Eye Centres
Healthy Matters
Search All
  • Healthy Matters
    Doctors
    Specialty | Address | Phone number
  • Healthy Matters
    Clinics
    Opening Hours | Address | Phone number
Popular Locations
  • Healthy Matters
    Central
  • Healthy Matters
    Tsim Sha Tsui
  • Healthy Matters
    Mong Kok
  • Healthy Matters
    Causeway Bay
Healthy Matters
General Practitioner
Related Locations
Health Topics > Common Illnesses > Headache

Headaches: All You Need to Know, Doctor-Reviewed

Healthy Matters
Reviewed by
Dr. Wong Shu Ting Lily, General Practitioner
Expert Advisory Board Member
Last Updated: 2022-11-15

3 min read

asian woman with headache

Headaches are so common that about half of the adult population have at least one headache every year, according to the World Health Organization. Headaches can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious health condition, so here’s what you should know.

 

What is a headache?

A headache is a constant dull pain or discomfort experienced in your head that can spread to or from the neck or your face. Most of them go away after about 30 minutes up to several hours. Headaches are not usually serious and you can often take care of it on your own without the need for medical attention. 

 

There are over 300 different types of headaches, classified into 2 main groups: primary (no underlying causes) and secondary (caused by other conditions). The most common types of headaches are: 

  • Tension headaches: the pain is mild to moderate. You can feel a sensation of tightness as if there is a band pressing around your head. Both sides of the head can be affected. 
  • Migraines: it causes a strong pounding pain at the front or the side of the head. You may also feel sick and throw up. Other symptoms include seeing ‘halos’ of light. 
  • Cluster headaches: you can feel a sharp pain usually around one eye.
Take care of your health
Get the best tips. Sign up now!
Healthy Matters
Stay healthy. It's easy!

What causes headaches?

The most common causes include: 

  • Infections e.g. a cold, the flu, meningitis and sinusitis. 
  • Head injury, brain tumor, bleeding in the brain. 
  • Side effects of medicines. 
  • Dehydration. 
  • Dental problems. 
  • Vision problems, e.g. glaucoma. 
  • High blood pressure. 
  • Stress. 
  • Excessive alcohol consumption. 
  • Smelling strong odours. 
  • Taking too many painkillers. 
  • Poor posture. 
  • Skipping meals. 
  • Looking at a screen for too long. 
  • Sex. 
  • Women during menstruation or menopause. 
  • Certain foods, e.g. those containing MSG and nitrates, chocolate and red wine. 
  • It can also be symptoms of chemical and hormonal imbalances in the body.

When to see a doctor

Visit your doctor if: 

  • Your headache comes and goes very often. 
  • Headaches are unusually severe. 
  • Symptoms do not improve after OTC treatment or get worse. 
  • Your headaches wake you up or disrupts your daily activities. 
  • There are new headaches, especially when you are over 40 or pregnant. 
  • You have headaches after a head injury or exercise. 

You should also see your doctor if headaches happen with any of the following symptoms: 

  • Fever, neck stiffness, confusion, or decreased alertness or memory. 
  • Visual problems, e.g. blurry or double vision. 
  • Weakness, numbness in limbs or a tingling sensations. 
  • Troubles with speaking or understanding others, slurred speech. 
  • Seizures. 
  • Painful jaw while eating. 
  • Nausea or vomiting.
fever thermometer taking temperature
Diseases & Conditions
Fever: Everything You Need to Know, Doctor-Reviewed

How to treat a headache?

It is important to see a doctor if the headache is persistent to have a history and examination. 

 

Tests may be carried out to asses for any underling medical condition first. You can buy over-the-counter medications to bring some relief from headaches, for example paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin (never give it to children younger than 16 due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome). Always read the instructions on the packages before taking OTC drugs. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any problems. 

 

Sometimes pain seems not to stop even after taking medicines, however, do not overuse painkillers as it can cause rebound headaches. 

 

Other medications are also used in treating severe migraines, such as sumatriptan. Opioids like morphine are not warranted. Studies show that supplements, for example magnesium, vitamin B2 and CoQ10, may help migraine management. 

 

If your headache is caused by sinusitis, antihistamines (e.g. loratadine and cetirizine) and decongestants (e.g. phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine) may relieve the headaches. 

 

Some people may find alternative treatments, for instance acupuncture, herbal or health products including supplements, or meditation, useful in pain relief, although these are not yet supported by research evidence. 

 

Your doctor may suggest keeping a headache diary for your child or teen to help find the best course of treatment. It should record information like the date, time and duration of all headaches experienced, symptoms other than headaches, possible triggers and medications taken.

asian woman with migraine
Diseases & Conditions
The Healthy Matters Guide to Headaches and Migraines

What you can do to feel better

You can ease headache with the following simple ways: 

  • Drink plenty of water, particularly in the summer. 
  • Avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine. 
  • Rest in a quiet, cool and dark room. 
  • Massage your head and neck. 
  • Put a heat pad, towel soaked in hot water or ice packs on your forehead. 
  • Try to relax and calm yourself as stress can worsen headaches. 
  • Breathe slowly and deeply. 
  • Do not skip meals or eat too little. It is important to keep blood sugar stable. 
  • Do not strain your eyes.
sleeping in nature
Diseases & Conditions
Having Trouble Sleeping? Tips to Sleep Better and Longer

How to prevent a headache?

There are a number of things you can do to keep headaches at bay.

  • Get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can trigger headaches. But sleeping more than what you’re used to may also worsen headaches. 
  • Find ways to cope with stress, e.g. listening to music, meditating. 
  • Exercise regularly. It can reduce stress too. 
  • Avoid triggers. Some foods can cause headaches, e.g. greasy food, aged cheese, food additives like MSG or ice cream. 
  • Avoid consuming too much caffeine or alcohol. 
  • Take preventive medications for migraines, including antihypertensives (e.g. propranolol, lisinopril), anticonvulsants (e.g. valproic acid) and antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline).
beginner meditation woman pose
Health Information
Beginner’s Guide to Meditation: Techniques, Benefits & Tips

Dr. Lily Wong 黃淑婷醫生 is a family practitioner at The London Medical Clinic. She is both a registered general practitioner and a pharmacist in the UK and HK. Having lived and worked as a general practitioner for many years in busy practices in London, she relocated to Hong Kong with her family a few years ago. Dr. Wong has also been appointed Honorary Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Hong Kong University, for her teaching of medical students.

This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.

Healthy Matters

Your health resource, made in Hong Kong

Healthy Matters is Hong Kong’s leading health resource. Our mission is to help you make better health decisions and take control of your health.

 

Our team of experts is committed to producing reliable health content that is accurate, engaging and relevant, to cover your health & wellness journey from prevention to treatment.

 

Whether you are looking for trusted information on health conditions, wellbeing or looking for the right doctor or service in Hong Kong, we’re here to help!

 

Your health matters. Begin your health journey with Healthy Matters today!

 

Read about our story

illustrations of a doctor and a mobile phone