Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Top tips for coping wi... Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Top tips for coping with headaches We share some top tips to cope with headaches, a common effect of brain injury. Here we share some top tips to cope with headaches, from our factsheet Headaches after brain injury, which is available to download below or from our Information library. The factsheet also explains the causes of headaches after brain injury as well as offering information on the different types of headaches commonly experienced after brain injury. Guidance on the factsheet was kindly provided by Consultant Neurologists Dr Colette Griffin and Dr Bee Eng Ong, who both specialise in headaches after brain injury. Top tips for coping with headaches 1. Identify triggers Common triggers include stress, lights, noise, smells, alcohol, weather changes and fatigue. Where possible, try to minimise or avoid your triggers, although try not to become too anxious about completely avoiding things either if something is out of your control. 2. Consider your diet Be aware that some types of food may trigger migraine headaches, such as chocolate, cheese, citrus fruit and tomatoes. There is no need to completely avoid these foods, but try monitoring how you feel after eating them, or avoid them for a short while to see if it makes any difference. 3. Keep a headache diary Keep a record of your headaches when you experience them. Make a note of the time and the pain intensity of each headache, using a rating system where 0 is no pain and 10 is excruciating pain. Make some notes describing how the pain feels, as this may help with identifying what type of headache it is. 4. Try making changes to your lifestyle Try to get enough sleep and stick to a regular sleep routine. Introduce relaxation techniques to your routine such as mindfulness. Try to do some gentle exercise everyday and avoid overstraining your eyes, for instance spending long periods of time at a computer/ mobile phone screen or reading. 5. Seek support with medication You should seek advice from your GP, pharmacist or neurologist before taking any medication for your headache, as some may be more suitable than others depending on the type of brain injury you have had and other medications that you may be taking. 6. Speak to your GP or neurologist If your headaches do not improve over time, you should speak with your GP or neurologist. You may be prescribed stronger medication or be referred to a specialist headache clinic. If stress is causing you to experience headaches, consider seeking a referral for talking therapy through your GP. Back to stories index Effects of brain injury Find out about some of the main difficulties that arise after brain injury, together with some suggestions as to how to deal with them. Find out more Information library Find out more Supporting you From local groups or branches, our Emergency Fund, Brain Injury Identity Card, helpline and much more, find out how Headway can support you after brain injury. Find out more Related resources Headaches after brain injury Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway.org.uk Join our online Community 27k Likes 25k Followers 3k Subscribers Privacy policy Cookies Terms & Conditions Accessibility Contact Us Resource centre Find a Headway Approved care providers Charity shops Fundraising comments, feedback and complaints Vacancies Join our mailing list Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893. © Copyright Headway 2021 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker By clicking 'Accept All Cookies’ you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This will help us to offer the best possible experience and develop more of the information you need. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings