Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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What Are Headaches?
Tension Headaches
This is the most common type of headache, and occurs more in teenagers and adults,
especially women. It can feel like a constant ache affecting both sides of the head. This is typically accompanied with the neck muscles tightening and pressure behind the eyes.
These symptoms usually last less than 15 days out of a single month and the cause is
unknown.
Tension headaches can be caused by cold or flu, stress, skipping meals, and dehydration.
Some females experience headaches as a symptom of the drop in oestrogen levels just before their periods.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are severe attacks of pain over one side of the head, often felt around the eye. These headaches are more common in men and typically occur in adulthood. They begin very quickly, and unlike some migraines, have no warning. The pain has been described as a sharp, burning or piercing sensation on one side of the head, around the eye temple and/or face.
These attacks can make you feel agitated, anxious and stressed. Cluster headaches are sometimes accompanied by a red watery eye, swelling of one eyelid, constriction of one pupil, sweating and a blocked or runny nostril.
The causes of cluster headaches is still unclear, some research suggests a genetic component, sensory triggers and smoking, whereas others suggest the cause lies in brain activity levels.
Migraine Headaches
Migraines are usually a moderate to severe ‘throbbing’ headache on one side of the head. Many people have symptoms such as feeling nauseated and being sick, as well as increased sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines are a common health condition which affects around 1:5 women and 1:15 men. They usually being occurring in the late teenage years/early adulthood.
There are several types of migraine:
- Migraine with an aura – this is when there is a specific clue that a migraine is about to being, for example seeing flashing lights or spots.
- Migraine without an aura – this is when a migraine occurs without any warning signs.
- Migraine aura without the accompanying headache – this is also known as a silent migraine; an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, but a headache does not occur.
Migraines have been linked to the hormone changes occurring during menstruation. Furthermore, migraines can be triggered by stress, fatigue and the ingestion of some foods including chocolate.
Physiological Self Help for Headaches
Water
Headaches caused by dehydration may occur after sweating, especially on a hot day or after lots of physical activity! The body loses essential fluids which contribute towards its functioning. Most of the time, the amount of fluid lost is balanced through the consumption of water and fluid-rich foods. However, in some cases, the body loses water quicker than it is replenished. This can lead to
dehydration, with one of the main symptoms being a headache. Research has suggested that dehydration is a trigger for migraine, therefore, water is found to be effective in migraine frequency and severity reduction. Drinking too quickly can sometimes cause vomiting in those with dehydration, so it is best to take slow steps; sucking on an ice cube has been found useful in younger children.
Electrolyte Drinks
Electrolytes are minerals your body requires to function, your body gets them through dietary intake. Dehydration can disrupt the important balance of electrolytes in your body, so replenishing them with a low-sugar sports drink may make you begin to feel better.
Regular Meals
The body needs energy to function, most of the body’s energy comes from the consumption of carbohydrates. The body converts carbohydrates into glucose, which is then transported through the blood into areas where energy is require. The brain requires a constant supply of glucose to function. If glucose levels fall the brain is one of the first organs affected, hence why headaches can appear shortly after skipping meals.
Thus, it is important to have regular meals, meeting the ‘Healthy Living Plate’ guidelines. For some, eating regular meals means eating breakfast, having a small snack mid-morning, eating at lunch time, having a mid-afternoon snack, and eating at dinner time. Foods should be healthy and low in sugar.
Menstrual Headaches
Many headaches are linked to changing levels of hormones, specifically oestrogen and progesterone, which occur during menstruation. Whilst some birth control may worsen headaches for some women, they can actually lessen them for others. you suffer from headaches and are using, or planning to use, a hormonal method of contraception, you should discuss this with your GP or a family planning nurse.
Changing how I cope with headaches: doing too much or too little
Pacing
Some people who suffer with headaches make the choice to do less, or even nothing. This makes sense, however, it can result in you missing out on important and fun activities. However, we know that missing out can negatively impact your mood. Some people take the opposite approach and try to stay very active on days they feel better. Again, this approach makes sense but can be counterproductive.
You may push yourself too hard and end up suffering, resulting in exhaustion and low-mood. This is referred to as a boom and bust pattern.
Pacing is a skill which enables you to consistently carry out activities without causing excessive exhaustion or inactivity. Pacing is the middle ground between doing nothing and doing too much. Over time you may notice that pacing enables you to do more.
- Choose an activity, such as visiting your friends or housework.
- Measure the length of time you feel physically and emotionally comfortable doing this. Do this at least 3 separate times on good and bad days.
- Take the average of these times. This helps you find your comfortable starting point to spend on these activities. Try to stick to this time, no more and no less.
Remember:
- Pacing can give you more control.
- Pacing is about judging when to stop an activity based on time and not mood.
- The comfortable starting point should be used on both good, and bad days. It is normal to find it difficult to limit yourself on good days.
- Using a comfortable starting point leads to improved tolerances and achievement.
- Taking a break is not a sign of weakness or failure. You may find it helpful to gradually build up the amounts you are able to do on the bad days.
Supporting young children and teenagers suffering from headaches
It can be difficult to see a child/teenager in pain. However, as an adult there are ways in which you can help improve their ability to cope with pain:
- Reassurance – Receiving a diagnosis from a GP means that more information can be provided, and a treatment plan can be formulated. This is reassurance that the child/teenager is experiencing something real, and that healthcare professionals are available for support.
- Record – It is important to keep a headache diary. This will allow doctors to make a firm diagnosis and determine if any treatments are working. Another benefit of a headache diary is that it helps to identify triggers, patterns, and warning signs of headaches. This can be very helpful to give to schools so they can act quickly and appropriately. Please ask your doctor for a headache diary if you plan to see them again, and think that this would be helpful.
- Observation – Watch your child/teenager, you may be able to sense when they are about to have a headache attack. You may suspect the onset of an attack by recognising certain warning signs which can occur 2-48 hours prior. These may include fatigue and yawning, muscular pain, a pale complexion (looking ‘washed out’), they are more quiet and irritable than usual, confusion, and food cravings.
- Encourage – The child/teenager may feel more confident in their ability to cope with their condition if they try to manage it. Your role is to provide positive encouragement that they can cope with, and manage, their headaches, as well as utilise strategies in this pack.
- Support – Headaches may affect the child/teenager’s ability to complete homework, coursework, and revision. Offering support at home with studies may relieve some of stress, in turn decreasing the chance of reoccurring headaches . Provide this information sheet to their school/college so they can provide extra support where necessary.
Online Support
Apps:
Mindfulness and Sleep:https:/
Meditation and Sleep:https://www.calm.com/
Meditation: https://www.headspace.com/kids
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: https:/
Websites:
Resources for Teachers, Parents, Carers, and Children: http:/
Free Online Counselling: https:/
Stress and Anxiety: https://
Anxiety and Depression: https://
Mindful Breathing: www.
Mindful Activity: www.
Relaxation Techniques: www.
Relaxing Imagery: www.
Thought Distancing: www.
Supporting Sleep: www.
Self Help (Insomnia): https://
Headache Information: https:/
Social Anxiety UK: www.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Paediatrics service.
About this information
Service:
Paediatrics
Reference:
P/107
Approval date:
1 July 2025
Review date:
1 July 2028
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.