Tension Headache Help

Tension headaches are considered one of the most common forms of headaches people have. They can occur at any age, but are most common in adults and adolescents. If a headache occurs 2 or more times weekly for several months or longer, the condition is considered chronic. Tension headaches can occur when the patient also has a migraine.

There is nothing funny about the pain that this type of headache can cause. The root cause of a tension headache is of course, tension. Knowing that tension is at the root of the problem, it would seem that people could alleviate a tension headache altogether.

Tension headaches are the result from the contraction or tensing of neck and scalp muscles. One cause of this muscle contraction is a response to depression, stress, head injury or anxiety. Any activity that causes the head to be held in one position for a long time without moving can cause a headache. These activities include typing or use of computers, fine work with the hands, and use of a microscope. Sleeping in a cold room or sleeping with the neck in an abnormal position may also trigger this type of headache.

Some Other Tension Headache Causes

Some other causes of tension headache include fatigue, eye strain, alcohol consumption, excessive caffeine use, excessive smoking, sinus infection, nasal congestion, overexertion, colds, and the flu. Tension headaches are not caused by structural abnormalities in the brain.

What causes tension in a person’s life?

Lots of things. Everything! Being at work in any job that has deadlines or quality policies can add stress to perform at a level higher than they really want to. Dealing with this can take away the problem; not dealing with them can get someone fired or make them super stressed.

If you are struggling in a marriage and feel trapped or confined, a tension headache will be easy to get. The stress comes from different stress points through the day. People can’t always control their own environment at work or at home, or even with the people that they deal with daily.

Dealing With Tension

What can be done is to know that the tension doesn’t need to build up and make someone explode. It is vitally important to understand the stress in a person’s life. Once that is accomplished, the person can then work on the best way to deal with the tension. Doctors have proof showing that a person under stress, who doesn’t have a way to deal with the tension, will develop other health problems and die before those who have developed ways to effectively deal with the stress problems in their life. Tension Headache Symptoms

Worsened or triggered by stress, fatigue, noise, glare Feels like a tight band or vise on the head Dull, pressure-like Generalized (all over, not just in one point or one side), worse in the scalp, temples or back of the neck Occurs as an isolated incident, or occurs constantly or daily

Handling A Tension Headache

The first step in handling a tension headache is to recognize the cause or causes of stress and do what it takes to minimize the stress or tension. You may try adding some “me time” into the day. Me time is time set aside just for you to do nothing but relax and think. A person may find that working out for an hour or even a half hour everyday provides relief. This is a great way to relieve a tension headache and get in good physical shape.

Instead of coming home every night and drinking try, going for a walk. This can help to relax you more than the drink. Sometimes, talking with neighbors along the way can make a big difference. Instead of staying up half the night thinking about all the problems, try getting a full eight hours of sleep every night.

Whatever a person can find to relieve stress will help relieve tension headaches. Not only will people have relief from pain, they will be healthier with a better quality of living and possibly a longer life. The problems will still be there but a person can deal with the problems better when they are well rested. Some people find that getting involved in some sort of hobby allows a relief from daily stressors.

Try Biofeedback

Learn and practice stress management strategies. Some people find relaxation exercises or meditation helpful. Biofeedback may improve relaxation exercises and may be helpful for chronic tension headache.

Over The Counter Medications

Using Over-the-counter analgesics such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen may relieve pain if the above measures are ineffective. An antidepressant or other medication may be advised for chronic headaches. A non-sedating muscle relaxant like metaxalone (Skelaxin) helps many patients. In severe cases, the combination of butalbital and acetaminophen (Fioricet) or butalbital and aspirin (Fiorinal) may be also be helpful.