Primary Versus Secondary Headaches

A useful classification for pharmacist consultation is one that uses just two categories: primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are those that are not caused by any serious underlying disorder, as opposed to the rare secondary headaches induced by an organic pathology.2 Fortunately, 99% of headaches are primary in origin.4,5 Most primary headaches can be self-treated, while secondary headaches should be referred.

Excedrin Extra Strength Pain Relief Caplets For Headache Relief Temporarily Relieves Minor Aches And Pains Due To Headache 200 Count

• One bottle of 200 Excedrin Extra Strength Pain Relief Caplets
• Extra strength pain reliever works fast to relieve headaches
• Excedrin Extra Strength caplets contain two pain relievers and a pain relieving aid for enhanced effect
• Headache pain reliever available in caplet form for convenient pain management
• Excedrin Extra Strength works in 3 ways to relieve headaches: it blocks pain signals, elevates your pain threshold and uses caffeine to enhance the pain relief effect

Rite Aid Tension Headache Pain Reliever Acetaminophen 500 Mg 100 Coated Caplets

• NO ASPIRIN: Each caplet contains 500 mg of pain relieving, fever reducing acetaminophen, plus 65 mg caffeine, without any aspirin. This aspirin-free, tension headache medication is the perfect choice for those with sensitivities or allergies to aspirin.
• CONTAINS CAFFEINE: Caffeine has been proven to help with tension headaches and migraine relief by opening the constricted blood vessels in your brain. Rite Aids tension and headache relief medicine contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
• EASY-TO-SWALLOW COATED CAPLET: Rite Aid Acetaminophen 500mg Tension Headache Pain Reliever comes in a coated caplet design that makes them easy to swallow. Youll get relief from your worst tension headache, migraine, or body aches in these caplets.
• TARGETED PAIN RELIEF: Rite Aid’s Acetaminophen 500mg Tension Headache Pain Reliever + caffeine is specifically formulated to relieve tension headaches and offer migraine relief. Compare Rite Aid to the active ingredients in Excedrin Tension Headache.
• TRUSTED BRAND SINCE 1962: We hope you continue to choose us first for your everyday health and wellness needs. Our mission is to improve the health and wellness of our communities and provide our customers with the best products, services, and advice.

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Remedies To Get Rid Of Headaches Naturally

Headaches are a common condition that many people deal with on a daily basis.

Ranging from uncomfortable to downright unbearable, they can disrupt your day-to-day life.

Several types of headaches exist, with tension headaches being the most common. Cluster headaches are painful and happen in groups or clusters, while migraines are a moderate-to-severe type of headache.

Although many medications are targeted at relieving headache symptoms, a number of effective, natural treatments also exist.

Here are 18 effective home remedies to naturally get rid of headaches.

Is It Possible To Overmedicate

Its tempting and easy to rely too heavily on headache medications. Some people experience daily or almost-daily headaches. For those that get migraines, the headaches may seem to blend together, with no beginning or end. You may feel the need to reach for medications to relieve symptoms or stop headaches in their tracks.

But doing so can actually make headaches worse or more frequent. In particular:

• Daily or near-daily use of relief medications can interfere with certain parts of the brain. These parts control the flow of pain messages to the nervous system. Over-the-counter medications can pose a risk, including aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and drugs with caffeine. So can prescription medications such as triptans, narcotics and barbiturates.
• Overmedicating with abortive therapies can lower the effectiveness of preventive drugs.

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Make The Right Choice

When you have aches and pains, you probably have lots of choices in your medicine cabinet. But all pain relievers arent created equal. Some work better for headaches or back pain, while others are stronger when it comes to fever or arthritis. Dont just reach for the closest medication. Heres the best over-the-counter pain reliever for every kind of ache.

Tylenol Sinus + Headache Non

as of January 25, 2022 4:28 pm

Features

• 24-count box of Tylenol Sinus + Headache Daytime Caplets for non-drowsy sinus symptom and headache pain relief due to the common cold, hay fever or other respiratory allergies
• Pain reliever and nasal decongestant formulated to temporarily relieve symptoms of nasal congestion, sinus headache and pressure
• Each sinus relief caplet contains 325 mg of acetaminophen to temporarily relieve pain and reduce fever as well as 5 mg of phenylephrine HCl, a nasal decongestant to help clear nasal passages
• The non-drowsy formula of this sinus medicine provides effective daytime symptom relief by promoting sinus drainage and helping to decongest sinus openings and passages
• From the #1 doctor-recommended pain relief brand, these daytime headache and sinus relief caplets are suitable for adults and children ages 12 years and older

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Are Severe Body Aches A Symptom Of Covid

Studies show that severe body aches are the third most common symptom of COVID-19 infection.

Most patients suffering from COVID-19 have reported severe body aches and fatigue, as well as low-grade fever and headache. Some have also reported coughing, shortness of breath, vomiting, rashes, and loss of taste and smell. Aches in the body, joints, and bones are common with coronavirus and most other viral illnesses.

• According to studies, when your immune system is hyper-stimulated secondary to an infection, it triggers an immune response that causes white blood cells to produce interleukins. These can result in severe body aches.
• When you have an infection, body aches occur because your immune system is working overtime to combat the infection. These aches are not necessarily caused by the virus, but the body’s reaction to the virus invasion may result in severe body aches.
• Fever itself can cause body aches due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a breakdown of symptoms for COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals:

If you suffer from body aches and suspect it could be due to COVID-19, you should:

• Self-isolate at home

• Eye problems, such as watery eyes or swollen eyelids
• Bluish face and lips
• Breathing issues

In the event of severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. COVID-19 can cause pneumonia and lung scarring.

When To Worry About A Headache

Most headaches respond to self-care, OTC pain relievers, or medication your doctor prescribes. For some headaches, though, its best to promptly seek medical advice. Warning signs include a headache that:

• is unusually severe or steadily worsens
• follows a blow to the head
• is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures.

Image: kimberrywood/Getty Images

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Excedrin Extra Strength Pain Relief Caplets

• Excedrin Extra Strength caplets contain two pain fighters and a booster for enhanced effect
• Pain reliever available in convenient caplet form
• HSA and FSA eligible product
• Extra strength pain reliever that relieves pain associated with headache, colds, menstrual cramps, toothaches, muscular aches and arthritis
• For some, headache relief can start in 15 minutes

Sinus Infection Treatment Options

There are many treatment options for a sinus infection, but the best treatment option varies by the severity of the case. Some acute sinus infections will clear up on their own without any treatment, and you may just think it was a cold. Others require more serious interventions by a healthcare provider.

The standard treatment healthcare providers prescribe for a presumed bacterial sinus infection is an antibiotic. However, if you have a sinus infection caused by a viral infection such as the common cold, your doctor will not prescribe antibiotics as these medications only treat bacterial infections. Instead, you can treat the sinus infection symptomatically until it resolves, with nasal decongestants and antihistamines.

There are plenty of ways to treat symptoms of a sinus infection at home with over-the-counter medications and home remedies. OTC antihistamines block the effects of histamine, helping symptoms like sneezing and runny nose. Simple treatments like drinking water, keeping your sinuses hydrated , and using warm compresses, can also help treat symptoms of a sinus infection.

Keeping your nasal passages clean can help you prevent future sinus infections. If you anticipate having sinus issues during allergy or cold season, flushing out your nasal passages with a saltwater solution can help you avoid the pains of a sinus infection.

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Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain Reliever Coated Tablets

One of the main complications that come hand in hand with sinus congestion is the pain. The increase of pressure due to accumulated mucus can make it difficult to breathe and pave the way for throbbing headaches. Because of this common symptom combination, Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain Reliever has been dubbed the best medicine for sinus pressure because it targets both pain and congestion effectively.

The main ingredient this formulation uses for decongestion is phenylephrine HCl, which works to reduce mucus production to stop congestion from persisting. It also encourages the body to expectorate phlegm so that the airways can be cleared of congestion. Aside from this function, Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain Reliever also targets pain with ibuprofen. So while the product works to resolve the cause of sinus pressure, it also temporarily addresses any acute pain you might experience for fast and immediate relief.

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What Causes Sinus Pain And Pressure

Your sinuses are air-filled spaces connected to your nasal passages that help humidify air as you breathe in and produce mucus that helps trap bacteria and foreign particles. When nasal passages and their tissues become irritated, mucus can build up instead of draining normally. This build-up causes swelling and often causes pain and pressure in your sinuses. Swollen and inflamed tissues can also cause pressure on nerve endings around your sinuses. This leads to dull or throbbing pain and aches.

Several factors can cause nasal passage irritation and bring on sinus pressure symptoms.

• Environmental irritants Airborne pollutants such as those that cause allergies can trigger mucus build up and sinus pressure.
• A sinus infection Sinusitis, more commonly known as a sinus infection, could be a cause of your sinus pressure and pain. If you think you may have a sinus infection, talk to your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
• The common cold Not every cold is the same but sometimes symptoms include mucus build up, which can mean sinus pressure and pain.

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How To Relieve Sinus Pressure And Pain

Now that you know what causes sinus congestion, you can determine how to relieve sinus pain. Here are a few tips and tricks for easing sinus pain. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Chill Out Your Sinuses

Anything you can do to cool your head can ease sinus pain symptoms. An ice mask, bag of ice or a cold compress can help.

Massage and Relax

Stress often makes your sinus symptoms feel worse. Gently massaging your neck and shoulders, while not linked to your sinuses, can help you relax, giving you relief.

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For a treatment that works to relieve sinus symptoms day and night, try SUDAFED PE® Sinus Congestion Day + Night for powerful congestion relief.

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What Is The Recommended Pain Reliever For Covid

Acetaminophen , ibuprofen , and naproxen can all be used for pain relief from COVID-19 body aches if they are taken in the recommended doses and approved by your doctor.

Early on in the pandemic, the World Health Organization recommended using acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen for managing symptoms of COVID-19 or side effects from vaccination. However, researchers have found little to no evidence that one type of pain reliever is riskier than another.

While recommendations related to the management of COVID-19 are rapidly changing, most doctors still prefer acetaminophen over ibuprofen. If you cannot take acetaminophen or experience no relief from symptoms despite taking the maximum dose , you can take ibuprofen instead.

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Drugs Commonly Prescribed For Migraine

Migraine is an intense headache that can last for hours to days. Typically, a migraine headache is throbbing or pounding pain on one or both sides of your head. Sometimes, people have an aura up to 30 minutes before the headache. An aura can range from seeing flashing lights to tingling to mental fuzziness. During the migraine, you may have other migraine symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light or sounds.

Over 30 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. These headaches tend to happen more commonly in women compared to men. Your risk of migraine also increases if you have a family history of it. Common migraine triggers include hormone changes, stress, alcohol, and certain foods. Migraine medications cant cure migraine, but they can help control and prevent symptoms and get you back to living life.

Which Types Of Headache Can I Treat Myself

There are several types of headache that are not due to any serious underlying cause, and you may treat them yourself. They include migraine , tension headache, and cluster headache. If you have not yet obtained a formal diagnosis, your pharmacist can assist you in deciding whether your headache might belong to one of these categories.

Furthermore, consult your pharmacist for assistance in choosing a specific OTC product for your headache. Treatment choices include acetaminophen , ibuprofen , and naproxen . Be sure to carefully read all directions and precautions on the label of these products, including age restrictions.

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Otc Medicine For Sinus Congestion

When your sinuses become inflamed and congested, this means that the tiny, air-filled spaces that are connected to your nasal cavity have been blocked or are unable to drain normally. This buildup of mucus then causes a feeling of pressure or âfullnessâ in your forehead, eyes, or jaw. Luckily, OTC medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can alleviate pain caused by the pressure buildup.

Here are the most common types of OTC medication for sinus congestion:

1. Decongestant: Nasal decongestants are available in tablets, liquids, and nasal sprays and work by reducing blood flow to the sinuses, ultimately reducing nasal swelling and inflammation. Popular nasal decongestants include:

• Phenylephrine with brand names Sudafed PE, Vicks Sinex, and Pretz-D.
• Pseudoephedrine with brand names Sudafed, Dimetapp Decongestant, and 12 Hour Cold Maximum Strength.

2. Pain reliever: There are two main categories of pain relievers:

3. Antihistamines: Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergies, but they can be used to treat stomach problems and the common cold among other ailments. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which your immune system releases to protect against foreign invasions. Histamines cause symptoms like inflammation, congestion, a runny nose, and sneezing. So antihistamines are designed to alleviate those symptoms. Popular antihistamines include cetirizine and fexofenadine .

What Are Treatment Options For Covid

COVID-19 is a novel disease, and treatment options are still being explored. Several drugs have been approved by the FDA to relieve symptoms and control the damaging effects of the virus in the body. As active research is being conducted, treatment options for COVID-19 continue to expand.

• Treatment for mild to moderate cases is called supportive care. Rest, plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter pain and fever relievers, such as Tylenol, are part of the treatment plan.
• More severe cases, particularly those involving difficulty breathing, may necessitate hospitalization.

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Whats The Best Way To Treat A Covid

If youve had headaches before testing positive for the virus, you may know your specific triggers or what brings on your symptoms. For many, headache triggers include stress, lack of sleep, drinking alcohol, and certain smells, among others, according to the NHF.

You can try OTC medications, such as aspirin and acetaminophen , though they may not help with COVID-19 headaches, Monteith says. Still, other commonly used remedies can help, including rest, massaging your temples, and cold compresses applied to the forehead, the NHF says.

If youre experiencing headaches due to long COVID, youll need to talk to your doctor to develop a workable, long-term treatment plan.

What Is A Covid

COVID-19 headaches on their own cant be used to diagnose an infection. Still, if youre experiencing more intense headaches than usual or having them at different times of day with no obvious stressors or triggers its possible you have the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Women and younger people may be at higher risk for headaches from COVID-19, according to the November 2021 review in Current Pain and Headache Reports. Most people who develop headaches related to the virus have whats known as tension-type headaches. Symptoms of tension headaches include:

• Moderate or severe pain on both sides of the head
• A pressing feeling in the forehead, on the sides of the head, or around the eyes
• Symptoms that dont respond well to OTC medications

However, some people who have headaches due to COVID-19 experience migraine-like symptoms, even if theyve never had migraine before, the National Headache Foundation says. Migraine may cause:

• Pain, typically on one side of the head
• A throbbing or pulsing sensation
• Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch
• Nausea and vomiting

Very rarely, people with COVID-19 will have thunderclap headaches, which can cause severe pain within seconds of onset, according to Hartford Healthcare. If you experience this type of headache, you should seek emergency care. Thunderclap headaches can sometimes be caused by life-threatening conditions.

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