PHARMACY - common ailments

Headache:

Headaches are relatively common. There are many causes including lack of fresh air, lack of food, eye strain, stress, too much alcohol, high blood pressure and caffeine withdrawal. The location is also variable- on one or both sides of the head, in the front or at the back of the head.

A migraine is usually on one side of the head and may be accompanied by visual disturbances, dislike of light, nausea and vomiting. Common triggers include alcohol, hormonal and stress factors and certain foods such as chocolate.

Tension headaches tend to worsen as the day goes on. They feel like a tight band across the forehead.

Tips and advice for customers:

• Factors that cause the headache should be identified and avoided, where possible.
• Pain relief may be effective, but rest is also helpful
• Application of a wet compress used in conjunction with regular pain medication may provide additional relief
• Plenty of water and a healthy diet
• Posture when sitting at desks or computers should be checked, particularly if the person has shoulder aches and pains
• If the headache is associated with a cold, be careful that medicines are not duplicated, to avoid an overdose of paracetamol

When to seek further professional advice:

• Lying down increases pain
• Straining increases pain
• The headache is severe and sudden
• It is the first time that the patient has had a headache this severe. (Compared to previous headaches)
• There has been recent head injury, particularly if the person lost consciousness
• The person is elderly and the headache originates from the temples (may be temporal arteritis)
• There are visual disturbances
• The patient has a temperature
• The patient is vomiting
• Light sensitivity is a problem
• The patient has a sore or stiff neck
• The patient has frequent headaches (more than 1 each month)
• The headache has lasted more than 24 hours

Vitamin supplement suggestions:

• Feverfew and willow bark
• Magnesium
• Peppermint tea