Tension or Muscular Headaches - You feel a dull ache in your forehead, above your ears, or at the back of your head. You get a tension headache when the muscles in your face, neck, or head get tight. This can happen when you:

• Don't get enough sleep.
• Feel "stressed out".
• Read.
• Do boring work.

• One side of your head hurts more than the other.
• You feel sick to your stomach or throw up.
• You see spots.
• Light hurts your eyes.
• Your ears ring.

A sinus headache makes your forehead, cheekbones, and nose hurt. It hurts more if you bend over or touch your face. You can get a sinus headache from:

• A cold.
• Allergies.
• Dirty or polluted air.
• Other breathing problems.

• A sensitivity to certain foods and drinks.
• Alcohol.
• Cigarette smoke.
• Exposure to chemicals and/or pollution.
• Poison.
• Side effects from some medications.

• Allergies.
• Depression.
• Fever.
• High blood pressure.
• Low blood sugar.
• Infections.
• Shingles.
• Dental problems.

• Acute glaucoma.
• Stroke.
• Tumor, blood clot or ruptured blood vessel (aneurysm) in the brain.

• Try to anticipate when pain will strike. Keep a headache journal that records when, where, and why headaches seem to occur.
• Note early symptoms and try to abort a headache in its earliest stages. Take pain medicine such as acetaminophen right away.
• Exercise regularly. This seems to keep some kinds of headaches at bay.
• Avoid foods and beverages known to trigger headaches in sensitive people. Try to figure out which foods and beverages affect you.

• Alcoholic beverages, especially red wine.
• Aspartame (the artificial sweetener in NutraSweetª).
• Bananas. (If more than 1/2 banana a day.)
• Caffeine from coffee, tea, cola soft drinks, or some medications.
• Chocolate.
• Citrus fruits. (If more than 1/2 cup a day.)
• Cured meats such as frankfurters.
• Food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG).
• Hard cheeses such as aged cheddar or provolone.
• Nuts and peanut butter.
• Onions.
• Sour cream.
• Soy sauce.
• Vinegar.

• Take the recommended dose of acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Take it right away. (Pain killers work best when the headache starts). Do not take aspirin unless it's O.K. with your doctor. [Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless directed by a physician, due to its association with Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.]
• Rest in a quiet, dark room with your eyes closed.
• Massage the base of your skull with your thumbs. Start under your ears and work back towards the center of your head. Also, massage both temples, your shoulders, neck and jaw gently.
• Take a warm bath or shower.
• Place a cold or warm washcloth, whichever feels better, over the area that aches. Or, put an ice pack on the back or top of the head if this brings relief.
• Relax. Try thinking of a calm, happy place. Breathe slowly and deeply.

Is the headache associated with any of the following? A serious head injury A blow to the head that causes severe pain, enlarged pupils, vomiting, confusion or lethargy Loss of consciousness
Is the headache associated with any of the following? Pain in one eye Blurred vision Double vision Slurring of speech Mental confusion Personality change or problem in moving arms or legs
Has the headache been occurring for more than 2-3 days, and increased in frequency and intensity?
Is the headache associated with the following? Fever Drowsiness Nausea Vomiting Stiff neck
Has the headache come on suddenly, and does it hurt more than others you have had?
Has the headache occurred at the same time of day, week or month?
Have you noticed the headache only after taking newly prescribed or over-the-counter medicines?