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Q I’m plagued with headaches. What can I do?

- Jill Buchner

THE DOCTOR SAYS…

A: WHEN YOU FEEL A headache coming on, take a pain reliever that is also an anti-inflammatory right away. You’ll need 600 to 800 milligrams of ibuprofen or 975 milligrams of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Though you may want to tough it out and see how bad the headache will become first, you’re more likely to overmedicate if you wait until the pain escalates.

For the most part, headaches are benign and can be managed with over-the-counter medications, but if you experience them regularly, you may need to see a doctor. Typically, headaches only signal something serious if you suddenly start to get them and didn’t used to (particularly if you’re over 50) or if the pain is accompanied by blindness, paralysis, numbness or difficulty speaking. Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms and she may request an MRI or a CT scan to ensure that there are no abnormalities in the brain.