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Headaches 101: Know your type

Your head hurts. Again. To better understand your headaches, take a close look at your symptoms. Do your headaches feel like a tight band around your head? These are probably tension headaches, easily treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. Do you have headaches nearly every day? Chronic daily headaches may be a rebound phenomenon from daily analgesic use and may improve when you stop your pain relievers. Are your headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light or sound? These may be migraines, which often require prescription medication. If your headaches are disrupting your daily activities, talk with your doctor.