Headaches affect everyone, but for about 45 million people in America they pose a frequent and persistent challenge. There are several types of headaches, but the most common are migraine and tension headache. The most common of these two is tension headache. These are characterized by a pressure that circles the skull. Tension headaches are usually short lived, but they can linger for days and even weeks. Migraine headaches affect about 26 million people, and they are characterized by an intense pain that seems to focus on one side of the head. Migraines can cause a sensitivity to light, nausea, and can completely debilitate a person for about 8 hours to several days. There are several strategies for coping with headaches. By keeping a headache diary, it is often helpful in identifying the type of headache affecting a person, and the situations involved that may contribute to the occurrence. Stress, household chemicals, smoking, diet, irregular sleep patterns, and awkward working positions can all contribute to the frequency and severity of headaches. In addition to changing environmental factors, there are medications available to help manage the pain, stop the headache, and even prevent them. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin are the most common over-the-counter medications that can help mask the pain and reduce the severity of the headache. Prescription medications are available to actually stop a headache, and there are even medications that can be taken daily to prevent the occurrence of Migraine headaches. If headaches are having a disturbing affect on one's life, it is important to see a doctor and develop a strategy to help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. By taking a few simple steps a people can help themselves feel better more often.