Unlike a flu, the tension headache cannot be detected and this will just happen. It will occur in the late afternoon or in the evening if the employee is pulling long hours on a project. If it is a minor tension headache, the individual can ride it out with a glass of water and a few breathing exercises. It is very important to know the active ingredients in each headache pain medication. Make sure that you read the label of any medication that you plan to take. Different drugs can have different reactions and it would be helpful if you know beforehand what type of drugs that you have allergic reactions to. The pain is usually characterized as being repeatedly stabbed in the eye with an ice pick. When the pain attacks, one may notice the drooping of the lids from the affected eye as well as nasal congestion on the affected side. The pain of a cluster headache is no joke. It tends to be so sever that some people say that it is nothing compared to things like childbirth or migraines. They are poles different from one another. The migraine headache, for instance can last from four to 72 hours while the common headache, or what is commonly referred to by medical practitioners as tension headaches, can last only for a few hours. Pain is also more localized with the migraine headache, often occurring on the sides of the head while tension headaches can encompass the entire head area. If you are dying to find a solution to your persistent headache, try taking in over the counter remedies like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. But if you are not a big fan of prescribed or over the counter medications, try these home remedies for a change. - Try using compresses or cold packs. For tension headaches the most common form of headache try applying a warm or cold compress to your forehead and the base of your neck to numb the pain. Using fresh or powdered ginger when cooking your food will do just as well. Essential Oils Peppermint oil is also a well known home remedy for headache. Just put a couple of drops of this aromatic oil into a carrier oil or lotion and rub around your temple, neck and forehead. But make sure that you do not get any of the oil too close to your eyes as its vapors can be very overwhelming.