How to get rid of a headache fast: 10 tips for quick relief

If you feel a headache coming on throughout the day, it's good to know that it doesn't always have to stop you in your tracks. There are steps you can take to prevent and quickly treat headaches.

When your head starts hurting, here’s how to get rid of a headache fast.

What causes a headache?

Before diving into what steps to take in the moment when you feel a headache coming on, it’s important to understand the types of headaches and their primary causes. Headaches are classified into two categories: primary headache disorders and secondary headache disorders.

Primary headaches include tension-type headaches, migraines and trigeminal autonomic cephalagias (TAC), such as cluster headaches, among others. The causes for primary headaches include:

• Muscle tension and stress (tension headaches)
• Changes in brain chemistry and blood vessel function (migraines)
• Abnormalities in the brain’s hypothalamus

Secondary headaches are headaches that are usually caused by some other medical condition, including:

• Overusing certain types of medications for pain
• Trauma to the head
• A stroke or bleed in the head, among other causes

How to get rid of a headache fast

The steps to take when you start feeling a headache coming on will depend on the type of headache you’re experiencing, as treatment will vary. Secondary headaches require a little more investigation to determine what’s causing the headache.

In general, here are 10 of the fastest ways to stop a headache in its tracks:

1. Try a cold compress: Apply a cold compress to your forehead or temples for 15-20 minutes. If you catch a headache early, drinking water while applying cold to your head can often stop it before it gets worse.
2. Hydrate: Drink a large glass of water, as dehydration is a major headache trigger.
3. Turn off the lights: Find a dark, quiet room and close your eyes.
4. Massage: Gently massage your temples, neck and the base of your skull.
5. Take a pain reliever: Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin).
6. Use your pressure points: Try the "pressure point" technique: press firmly on the webbing between your thumb and index finger for 1-2 minutes.
7. Drink caffeine: Drink a small amount of caffeine if you don't regularly consume it.
8. Stretch: Do gentle neck stretches—slowly roll your head in circles.
9. Take a shower: Take a hot shower, letting the water hit the back of your neck.
10. Breathe: Try deep breathing: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 6.

Most headaches respond within 30-60 minutes when you use these techniques consistently.

“Headaches and migraines can be painful and debilitating,” said Anjali Sundaramoorthy, DO, neurologist on the medical staff of Baylor Scott & White Headache Medicine Specialists of North Texas – Dallas. “Focusing on changes we can make in our daily activities can make a world of difference.”