Headaches: Causes, types & what you can do

Headaches can severely restrict daily life – from a dull pressure to throbbing attacks. Here you'll learn what's causing your discomfort, what really helps you in everyday life, and how you can use brite to check if your medication or frequent use of painkillers is actually making your pain worse.

Better understanding headaches

In short & important: What you
can do right now

If your head is throbbing or pressing, these steps will help you find quick relief.

Stimulus reduction

Darken the room, turn off screens and avoid loud noises.

Entspannung:

Applying warmth to the neck (in case of tension) or a cool compress to the forehead can relieve acute pain.

Hydrogenation

Drink 0.5 liters of still water immediately (dehydration is the number 1 trigger).

Check

Have you eaten enough today, or are you taking any medication that has headaches as a side effect?

Fresh air

A short walk or airing out the room brings oxygen into the system.
Important: In case of sudden onset of "annihilation headache", neck stiffness, fever or paralysis: Call emergency services (112) immediately.

Understanding headaches – Why they are so different

Not all headaches are the same. The location and quality of the pain – whether stabbing, pressing, or throbbing – reveal a lot about the cause. While tension headaches are often harmless, migraines or cluster headaches require a targeted strategy. Careful observation will help you identify triggers and choose the right treatment.

Common causes of headaches

Why does my head hurt? These are some of the most common causes in everyday life:

Tension, stress & posture

Prolonged work at a computer screen and psychological stress lead to tension in the neck muscles. This pain often radiates on both sides from the back of the head to the forehead.

Dehydration & blood sugar fluctuations

Your brain is extremely sensitive to dehydration or skipping meals. This often manifests as a dull, diffuse pain, accompanied by mild nausea.

Migraine (One-sided & Pulsating)

Migraine is a neurological disorder. Typical symptoms include light sensitivity and increased pain during physical activity. Read more about nausea and migraine here.

Infections & Sinusitis

A cold often causes pressure pain in the forehead or under the eyes, which worsens when bending over.

Medications: Side Effects & Overuse

An often underestimated factor: Many medications have headaches as a side effect. Furthermore, taking painkillers too frequently (more than 10 days a month) can lead to "medication-induced headache"—the headache then occurs precisely because of the pills.

Is it due to your medication? Get to the bottom of it now.

Especially if you regularly take medication, taking a look at the list is crucial. brite helps you break the vicious cycle of pain and pills:

Digital medication plan : Document all medications and identify whether your headaches are related to a new prescription.
Interaction check : Check whether your medications interact with each other and thus provoke pain attacks.
Dosage reminder : Prevent fluctuations in the active ingredient and keep track of how often you actually use painkillers.

When should you react to a headache?

Please take headaches seriously and seek medical help if:

the pain occurs suddenly and extremely intensely ("like a blow").
Accompanying symptoms such as speech disorders, paralysis, or confusion may occur.
A stiff neck and high fever may also occur.
the pain recurs after a fall or accident .
You need painkillers almost every day.

Preparing for your doctor's appointment – ​​your checklist

A headache diary is the best help for your doctor. Prepare this information:

Pain location

Forehead, temple, back of the head, one side or both sides?

Side effects

Does dizziness or light sensitivity occur?

Pain characteristics

Pressing, hammering, pulling or stabbing?

Medications

How often do you take painkillers? Bring your full list from the brite app.

How Brite helps you keep track of things

brite brings structure to your pain therapy and helps you find triggers:

Centralized medication plan for full transparency.
Examination for drug interactions in cases of common complaints.
Stable routines thanks to the medication reminder.
Start now for free and gain more clarity
Frequently asked questions about headaches
What helps quickly without pills?
Why do I have headaches at the back of my head?
Is coffee good for headaches?
Can magnesium help with headaches?
What is a cluster headache?
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