Quick & important: What you can do right now
If your head is pounding or throbbing right now, these steps provide fast relief:
- Reduce stimuli: Darken the room, switch off screens and avoid loud noises.
- Relaxation: Warmth on the neck (for tension) or a cool compress on the forehead eases the acute pain.
- Hydration: Drink 0.5 litres of still water right away (fluid deficiency is trigger no. 1).
- Check: Have you eaten enough today, or are you taking medication that lists headache as a side effect?
- Fresh air: A short walk or airing the room brings oxygen into your system.
Call 112 immediately
For a sudden “thunderclap headache” (the worst headache of your life), neck stiffness, fever or paralysis: call the emergency number 112 immediately.
Understanding headaches – why they are so different
A headache (cephalalgia) is not just a headache. The location and the quality of the pain – stabbing, pressing or pulsating – reveal a lot about the cause. While tension-type headaches are often harmless, a migraine or a cluster headache calls for a targeted strategy. Careful observation helps you identify triggers and choose the right treatment.
Common causes of headaches
Why does your head hurt? These triggers are especially common in everyday life:
- Tension, stress & posture: Long hours at the monitor and psychological pressure lead to tension in the neck muscles. This pain often pulls from the back of the head to the forehead on both sides.
- Dehydration & blood-sugar swings: Your brain reacts extremely sensitively to a lack of water or to skipping meals. This often shows up as a dull, diffuse pain accompanied by mild nausea.
- Migraine (one-sided & pulsating): Migraine is a neurological condition. Typical features are light sensitivity and worsening of the pain during physical activity.
- Infections & sinuses: During a cold, a pressure pain often develops in the forehead or under the eyes and worsens when bending over.
- Medication – side effect & overuse: Many medicines list headache as a side effect. In addition, taking painkillers too often (more than 10 days a month) can lead to a “medication-overuse headache” – the head then hurts precisely because of the tablets.
Is it your medication? Get clarity now
Especially if you take medication regularly, it is worth reviewing your list. brite helps you break the vicious cycle of pain and tablets:
- Digital medication plan: Record all your products and spot whether your headaches are linked to a new prescription.
- Interaction check: Check whether your medicines affect one another and thereby provoke attacks.
- Medication reminder: Avoid fluctuating drug levels and keep track of how often you really reach for painkillers.
When should you act on a headache?
Please take headaches seriously and seek medical help if:
- the pain starts suddenly and is extremely severe (“like a blow”).
- accompanying symptoms such as speech problems, paralysis or confusion occur.
- a stiff neck and high fever are also present.
- the pain is new after a fall or accident.
- you need painkillers almost every day.
For the first three points: do not wait – call the emergency number 112 immediately.
Preparing for your doctor’s appointment – your checklist
A headache diary is the best help for your doctor. Prepare this information:
- Location: forehead, temple, back of the head, one-sided or both-sided?
- Accompanying signs: Do you have dizziness or light sensitivity?
- Pain character: pressing, pounding, pulling or stabbing?
- Medication: How often do you take painkillers? Bring your full list from the brite app.
How brite helps you keep the overview
brite brings structure to your pain management and helps you find triggers:
