(Consumer Reports) – You have a headache. Maybe you’ve been staring at your computer or phone for too long. Or you skipped breakfast, didn’t sleep well, or got stressed in traffic. But now that it’s here, what can you do to get rid of it? CR explains what to do to treat the dreaded headache.

Almost everyone gets them sometimes, and some can be worse than others.

“I have a headache every day. Life, mom,” said Stefanie Jean-Bart, who suffers from frequent headaches.

Research shows that the prevalence of tension-type headaches in the general population is approximately 27%, while the frequency of migraines is approximately 15%.

“When I start having a headache, should I drink some water? Have I had my coffee? Am I hungry? What do I need to do to get back on track?” Jean-Bart asked.

In addition to doing everything you can to prevent headaches, you’ll also need a rescue plan when a headache starts, doctors said.

“Time is very important. You must take medicine immediately. Dr. from NYU Langone Department of Neurology. “One of the things we discuss with our patients here in the office is to talk about immediate treatment,” Myrna Cardiel said.

Which over-the-counter medications will give you the fastest pain relief?

“In a study comparing ibuprofen with acetaminophen, people taking 400 milligrams of ibuprofen had better and faster pain relief than those taking 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen,” said Pang Chieh Ho of Consumer Reports.

You should know that long-term use of ibuprofen in high doses or more than 2,400 milligrams per day may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Therefore, people who have recently had a heart attack are advised to avoid it.

Some supplements and alternative treatments may also help treat your headache.

Studies show that migraine sufferers have fewer attacks per month when they take some of these.

Sometimes a headache can be a sign of something serious. Here are some conditions that should prompt you to call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room.

If you’re pregnant, a headache could mean your blood pressure is too high.

You may also experience tension headaches after exercise. However If you have pain in your chest, jaw, or neck, it could mean a heart attack and you should seek medical attention.

It may sound strange, but many studies suggest that consuming ginger root itself or in powder form can relieve migraine pain, as can an ice pack or ice face mask. Try a hot pack or hot bath to relieve a tension headache.

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