To treat a headache effectively, you have to know why you're
getting one in the first place. Then you can focus on easy ways
to find relief.  •  Feel your pain. There are many different
types of headaches, but the most common is a tension headache.
It's marked by a dull ache (it feels like you're wearing a tight
skullcap or headband), lasts for two to four hours, and is
usually brought on by fatigue, hunger, or stress. Another type
is a migraine, which is often hereditary, can last for days, and
is accompanied by sharp, shooting pain, nausea, vomiting, and
sensitivity to light and noise. In general, if you're unable to
exercise, you've got a migraine.  •  Get a remedy. Over-the-
counter medication is the fastest way to get rid of a tension
headache (the effects kick in after 15 to 20 minutes). Ones with
acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin are all equally effective;
I usually recommend Tylenol because it's gentler on the stomach
than aspirin, or Excedrin since it has caffeine, which
facilitates the absorption