Headache is one of the most common ailments affecting thousands of people every day. Migraine alone directly affects about 12% of the population. The symptoms and pain associated with the various types of headache can be difficult for your doctor to recognize. This makes it hard to pin point exactly what type of headache is the problem and the best treatment for it.

Although research suggests that early treatment of migraine headache when the pain is mild results in better outcomes for patients, many patients delay taking their acute-migraine medication until their headaches are moderate or severe. Understanding when and why patients use their migraine medications is an important first step to improve migraine management.

Mild Headache Causes

Headache is caused by irritation or injury to pain-sensing structures of the head. The structures that can sense pain include the scalp, the muscles of the neck and head, major arteries and veins in the head, the sinuses, and the tissues that surround the brain.

Headache may occur when these structures suffer compression, spasm, tension, inflammation, or irritation. The brain has no nerve endings so the brain itself cannot "hurt."

Mild Headache Treatment

Treating a mild headache will usually involve over-the-counter pain medications. There are many different medications marketed for control of headache pain. The pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars each year to advertise their products. However, many "special" headache remedies are no better than simple acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. In addition, stress reduction and rest may be helpful.

Mild Analgesics (pain relievers) - Aspirin, acetaminophen, and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naprosyn. Daily use of aspirin and/or acetaminophen may cause rebound headaches. Frequent use of aspirin and NSAIDs can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and, in the case of aspirin, ?tinnitus (ear ringing).

1. Food: Give fruit juice or food if your child is hungry or hasn't eaten in more than 4 hours (reason: skipping a meal can cause a headache in many children).

2. Rest: Lie down in a quiet place and relax until feeling better.

3. Local Cold: Apply a cold washcloth or ice pack to the forehead for 20 minutes.

Other preventive measures may include keeping warm if the headache is associated with cold, using a different pillow, or sleeping position or similar changes. Use good posture when reading, working, or doing other activities that may cause headache. Exercise the neck and shoulders frequently when typing, working on computers, or doing close work.

Effective acute treatment of headache begins with making an accurate diagnosis and ruling out secondary causes of headache. Once a primary headache is diagnosed, it is important to choose the right combination of behavioural therapy and acute care (abortive and symptomatic) therapy for each patient.