Headaches are horrible and having one can make you feel pretty miserable. There are many reasons why you can get a headache and if you have had an ABI there can be lots of other reasons too.

You could have a headache for any of the reasons below. Sometimes there can be more than one thing causing your headache:

Stress: This is the main one. A lot of people get headaches because they are worried about something or feel alone and sad. Maybe you are worried about going back to school? Maybe you are worried about what your friends will be like or what the work will be like when you get there? Maybe you have dreams of being back in hospital and can’t sleep properly?

Feeling tired and sleepy:  After having an ABI you may find it difficult to sleep at night and get very tired in the day. This can be very frustrating and can also make you feel stressed as you feel you are missing out on a good nights sleep.

Eye strain: Sometimes not being able to see properly can give you headaches. Glasses might help and it can be worth going to see an optician to get this checked out.

Medication:  Sometimes, the medication that you are on after your ABI can give you a headache. Tell you doctor though, they will be able to help.

In girls:  Sometimes you can get headaches before and after your period.

Smoking and alcohol:  This is a big cause of headaches!

Food:  Foods that contain caffeine such as tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, chocolate and junk food can sometimes give you a headache.

Very bad headaches are called migraines. These can be very upsetting and they can make you feel sick and give you sharp pains in the head.

It is important that you tell you doctor or nurse if you have a headache or migraine. There are lots of different medicines that can take the pain away so there is no need to suffer. There are also lots of other things you can to prevent you getting a headache:

Talk to people : Please don’t stress or have headaches without telling someone. Talking to people (called talking therapy) can help you so much and help is out there.

Relaxation:  There are many ways you can learn to relax. Click on Mike and he will tell you how he relaxes when he has a headache.

Gentle exercise: Exercise is great for headaches because it releases lots of your body’s natural pain killers called endorphines. It also helps you muscles relax which stops you feeling ‘uptight’ and stressed.

Bedtime routine:  Try and get in a routine before going to bed. Sometimes reading a good book (or have someone read it to you), taking a warm bath or shower and having a warm drink before bed can help you feel sleepy. Don’t play computer games before bed or watch anything on the television that is complicated or gets you excited! This can stop you from sleeping! Also, try going to bed at a set time, say 9.30. This will help your body establish some ‘routine’ and may help you to feel sleepy when it’s time to go to bed!