Keep a headache calendar or diary. Mark down when you have a
headache, how bad it is on a 1–10 scale and what you had to do to take
it away. Jot down when you had to miss school or work.
Download a
headache calendar you can use.
Obtain a headache book from the list provided and keep it handy as a
reference. Visit the various headache Web sites listed on the sheet
provided. Learn as much as possible about your headache condition. This
will help you maintain control over your headaches.
A list of books and Web sites.
Do not run out of your prescription medications. Plan ahead.
Have an information sheet on file in your school's health room and
work with your school nurse to facilitate quick treatment of your
headaches. Download an information sheet you can use.
Non-drug methods
Don't skip meals – this is a potent headache trigger.
Try to wake up and go to sleep at about the same time every day.
This can minimize the number of headaches.
Try to identify specific triggers that can bring on your headache
and avoid them if possible. All of the recommended books have lists of
common headache triggers. Some may be rather obvious to you, others may
not.
Biofeedback is a particularly helpful non-drug method for relieving
headache pain in children and adolescents. Information is available upon
request.
Sometimes, a visit with a pain psychologist will be recommended in
order to uncover any factors that may be adding to your headache
condition.
Medications for headache
Treat the headache early and aggressively. Try to identify signs and
symptoms that may tip you off that a headache may soon occur (i.e., neck
aching, yawning, fatigue, etc.).
Treat nausea aggressively. Usually, the best choice will be
Metoclopramide (Reglan). This not only helps for nausea, but also helps
headache medications get absorbed better. Take this at the first sign of
a significant headache.
Be aware of rebound headaches. It is easier to prevent this type of
headache than to treat them. If you are using short acting, immediate
relief medications more than 2 days per week, you could be at risk for
developing this condition.
Preventive Medications (those medications used to reduce the number
and severity of headaches).
Acute Medications (those used to stop a headache as soon as
possible).
Rescue Medications (those medications taken when the acute treatment
doesn't work).
Goals
Remember your treatment goals:
Eliminate emergency room visits for treatment of acute headache
pain.
Have a program that works and is well tolerated.
Minimize the impact of your headache on your school and family
activities.
Follow-up
If you have an appointment scheduled, be
sure to keep it. If the headache
pattern worsens, call your doctor.
