And now for the treatment...

These work by mimicking the way the brain suppresses pain, but the more you take them the less effective they are (see cluster headaches).

If your headache does not respond to medicine, see a doctor, as most should pass of their own accord.

Eat properly and regularly

Fibre can help prevent headaches by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable.

If they fluctuate wildly, say after eating a bar of chocolate, then once the blood sugar has finished surging through your body, it crashes to lower than it was before you ate the chocolate, which can lead to a headache.

Beware of sugar

Many migraine sufferers blame chocolate for their headaches, but studies have found that many of them crave sweet food in the hours before the headache strikes. They give in to the craving, then blame it when the pain starts.

Acupressure

Using gentle pressure on certain points of the body stimulates the release of endorphins - the body's natural painkillers. There are two main methods for treating headaches:

First, locate the two points that feel like small indentations at the base of the skull where it meets the neck and apply gentle pressure for one or two minutes.

Or, gently massage in a circular direction the fleshy part of the hand between the thumb and index finger, which can also bring relief. But do not do this if you are pregnant as manipulation of this area can induce labour.

Homeopathy

One of the newest natural ways to relieve headaches is with the plant Petasites (Butterbur petasin).

It is commonly used to treat stomach cramps and asthma, but has recently been discovered to be effective for alleviating headaches, including migraines.

A study at the University of Munich found that migraine sufferers who were given a 50mg dose twice a day for three months had 62 per cent fewer headaches.

Visulalisation

Think of yourself lying on a beach with the waves lapping over you. Each time they roll back to the sea, imagine they are pulling the tension out of your body.

Once you are relaxed, imagine that your headache is a certain shape, size and colour and visualise it turning to liquid. Allow it to roll down your neck, onto one shoulder, along your arm and onto your fingertips. Then simply pour it off your hand and let it flow away from you.

Keep a diary

Write down when your headaches occur, how long they last and consider anything you've done that might have triggered them.

Some foods, commonly chocolate, red wine and cheese, are known to cause headaches in certain people because they contain an amino acid called tyramine.

Exercise

This is an effective treatment if you feel well enough to try. Vigorous exercise relieves stress, a well-known cause of tension headaches, and can trigger production of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

Aromatherapy

There has been little scientific research into the benefits of this, but anecdotal evidence suggests it works for many people. The best essentials oils are rosemary, peppermint or chamomile. Just add a few drops to a bath and relax.

Botox

More commonly known as a drug to remove wrinkles, migraine sufferers have reported up to three months' relief from pain following an injection.

There has been no formal research and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA, formerly known as the Medicines Control Agency) has yet to formally acknowledge that it works in this way.