Headache relief should be based on what type of headache you have.

There are different types of headache relief. Tension headache is a result of the contraction of the muscles around your skull and is closely associated with stress. Your blood flow to the head decreases, so you feel the “thud” in your temples, forehead or throughout the head. Regular massage may help relieve your muscles of the spasms.

Migraine is another type of headache which has no known cause. The blood vessels contract and increase in size thus the numbing pain. Migraine attacks are said to be lowered after pregnancy and menopause. Several things happen during a migraine attack: nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, and in some cases, vomiting. Pain usually occurs on one side of the head. Other sources report that there are factors that set off a migraine attack such as substances from food, emotional factors and environmental factors like glaring light, intense odors and changes in weather.

Migraine headache relief is still undetermined though medications such as ergotamine, when taken upon the first sign of a headache has been known to significantly lessen the pain.

Cluster headaches are more rare, tend to go in cycles, and affect men most of the time. The attacks are usually in the middle of the night, last for weeks at a time then disappear for a long period of time. The pain is severe though it does not last long enough. One relief for cluster headache is associated with melatonin maybe because of the high temperature associated with these headaches.

Headache relief for cluster is still growing but there are medications that are prescribed to ease cluster pain.

Before finding a relief for a recurring headache, be sure of the type of headache you have. Not all treatments for headache relief can be effective for all types so consult your doctor first. You can also keep a diary where you write down the pressure points, how long it lasted, what activity you were doing at the time and what drug you took. This will help your doctor in looking for a headache relief that’s effective for you.