How to Treat a Headache and When to See a Doctor

By Sid Gerber | August 9, 2024 | Comments Off on How to Treat a Headache and When to See a Doctor

In-Home Care in River Oaks TXFor most people, headaches are just a fact of life. They come and they go, and you do your best to get through them. They can range from mild irritants to full blowouts that knock you off your feet. There aren’t very many people out there in the world who have never experienced a headache.

Why Headaches Occur in the Elderly

Headaches are less common in older adults. Many people who have suffered from migraines their entire lives have found they reduce in strength and occurrence as they age. Tension-related headaches also tend to reduce due to fewer daily stresses like long work weeks or countless sleepless nights.

But that’s not to say that the elderly don’t still get occasional headaches, and no one wants to miss out on something because of a headache. Here are some top reasons seniors get headaches and how to treat them.

Top Headache Causes in Seniors

  • Dehydration. Seniors get dehydrated easily and that dehydration can often lead to a headache. Some seniors don’t drink any water all day because they are inactive and then never feel thirsty. But even if you’re not sweating, the body needs to be continually refreshed with water. Without it, headaches can often occur.
    • Solution: The easy solution is to stay hydrated. One way to tackle this is to have your in-home care provider fill up a large glass or pitcher of water each morning that needs to be drunk dry by the end of the day. That way your loved one and his in-home care provider can monitor if he’s drank enough water each day.
  • Head trauma. If your loved one has fallen recently and his head, he may have a headache or several headaches for a while. Sometimes, seniors with dementia don’t remember falling so look for other bruising if you think a fall may have taken place. Consider a doctor’s visit if you believe your loved one has fallen. If you have visited the doctor and ensured he isn’t hurt seriously, rest in a dark room with a cold compress may help his headache.
  • Sinus blockages. A sinus infection or a nasty bout of allergies can cause a headache for many seniors. It builds up pressure that causes a headache. Using some sinus medication can help relieve that pressure as well as having his in-home care provider run a humidifier to moisten the air and encourage mucus to flow.
  • Poor posture. Sitting for long periods can strain the back and neck muscles, leading to a tension headache as nerves get compressed and muscles tighten. Even if your loved one struggles with moving around, having an in-home care provider assist in encouraging regular movement can help alleviate headaches that occur from poor posture. Even just getting up and stretching during commercial breaks can help provide relief to the back and neck.
  • Lack of caffeine. If your loved one likes his caffeine, he might get a headache when he’s missing it. If your loved one is trying to reduce his caffeine intake, have him reduce it slowly so that his body will get used to being without it and won’t produce a caffeine-withdrawal headache.

What Type of Headaches Should Receive Immediate Medical Attention?

  • A headache that comes on suddenly and explosively
  • A headache combined with vomiting
  • A headache that causes confusion or slurred speech
  • A headache accompanied by a high fever
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in River Oaks, TX, contact the caring staff at Personal Caregiving Services at 832-564-0338. Providing Care in Houston, Bellaire, West University Place, Katy, Sugar Land, and the surrounding areas.
Sid Gerber
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