Headache Medications: FSA Eligibility

What are headaches?

Headaches are among the most common everyday maladies that individuals of all ages contend with, and they can arise suddenly without warning to last for as little as an hour and as long as multiple days. Headaches can affect nearly every portion of the head and can vary in their severity, from dull pain to sinus pressure to sharp pain that can be extremely debilitating.

There are two types of headaches: primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are common occurrences that relate to chemical activity in the brain or stress and are not indicative of an underlying medical condition, which include migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches and those related to one's lifestyle caused by alcohol consumption, stress, lack of sleep, and diet. However, secondary headaches are a symptom of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves in the head and are indicative of a larger issue. These maladies can include brain tumors, acute sinusitis, concussion, stroke and many more (Medical News Today).

What are the most common headache medications?

Analgesics (pain relievers) are the most common options to treat headaches, and the vast majority of these products are available over-the-counter. Common medications like aspirin , acetaminophen, ibuprofen and others work by going directly to the source of headache pain by interfering with the body's production of prostaglandins that send pain signals to the brain and contribute to bodily inflammation that causes pain. Some of these medications have secondary effects, such as acetaminophen functioning as a fever reducer while aspirin doubles as an anti-inflammatory to treat aches, pains and other maladies (WebMD).