How to Manage Your Headaches During the Work Day

It’s hard enough to have a headache at all, much less try to work while experiencing one. One study showed that over 3% of headache-prone people had missed work within the previous 30 days because of the pain.

Thankfully, there are ways to manage workday headaches. You can even take steps to prevent them.

At his New Rochelle, New York offices, board-certified neurologist Dr. Farhad Elyaderani and his team diagnose and treat all types of headaches to help you lead a more comfortable and productive life.

If you’d like to do away with your own headache frustrations, read on for proven tips.

Types of headaches

While all headaches cause bothersome pain, a range of types exist. Some of the most common headache forms include:

• Tension headaches, which stem from muscle tension
• Migraines, which often cause nausea, weakness, and light sensitivity
• Sinus headaches, which fuel throbbing facial pain, usually after a virus

Tension headaches are the most common headaches. And because emotional stress causes muscle tension, they’re especially likely amid intense or hectic work days.

Less common headaches include trigeminal and occipital neuralgia, which derive from nerve issues, and cluster headaches, which carry on for weeks or months. Brain tumors cause a small percentage of headaches, too.

How to manage your headaches at work

When you’re already at work when a headache sets in, helpful steps include taking over-the-counter pain medicine, resting in a dark and quiet room, or taking a walk in fresh air. 

Stretching exercises or massaging your head, back, or neck may help as well, especially if you’re dealing with muscle tension. For fast relief, apply a cold pack to your head for 15 minutes at a time.

Meanwhile, make sure you’re drinking enough water, or other hydrating fluids. A headache can develop as a symptom of dehydration. Beyond water, hydration options include herbal tea, low-fat milk, broth, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

How to prevent workday headaches

If you keep having headaches or experience severe or long lasting symptoms, it’s time for expert care. Dr. Elyaderani provides comprehensive exams, where he’ll assess your symptoms and discuss your lifestyle and overall health. If needed, he may order a diagnostic test or procedure to confirm or rule out particular diagnoses.

Other than addressing any underlying condition, your headache treatment plan may include prescription medication or Botox® injections. You may also benefit from avoiding your headache triggers, such as alcohol, certain foods, and too little sleep. As well, do your best to manage or minimize stress, seeking any support you need. 

To learn more about workday headaches or get started with personalized care, call Dr. Farhad Elyaderani or request an appointment online today.