Headaches are never fun, but there are different types. Today you will learn about tension headaches.
What is a tension headache?
Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck regions. Tension headaches are usually mild or moderate, as compared to migraines, which cause throbbing pain on both sides of the head.A tension headache is the most common type of headache. It can cause mild, moderate, or intense pain in your head, neck, and behind your eyes. Some patients say that a tension headache feels like a tight band around their forehead.
Causes of tension headaches
Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck regions. A variety of foods, activities, and stressors can cause these types of contractions. Some people develop tension headaches after staring at a computer screen for a long time or after driving for long periods. Cold temperatures may also trigger a tension headache.Other triggers for tension headaches include:
- alcohol
- eye strain
- dry eyes
- fatigue
- smoking
- a cold or flu
- a sinus infection
- caffeine
- poor posture
- emotional stress
Symptoms of a tension headache
- Symptoms of a tension headache include:
- dull head pain
- pressure around the forehead
- tenderness around the forehead and scalp
Considerations
In severe cases, your doctor may run tests to rule out other problems, such as a brain tumor. Tests used to check for other conditions may include a CT scan, which uses X-rays to take pictures of your internal organs and an MRI, which can help your doctor examine your soft tissues.How to treat a tension headache
Medications and home careYou can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to get rid of a tension headache. However, these should only be used occasionally. According to the Mayo Clinic, using OTC medications too much may lead to “overuse” or ”rebound” headaches. These types of headaches occur when you become so accustomed to a medication that you experience pain when the drugs wear off.
OTC drugs are sometimes not enough to treat recurring tension headaches. In such cases, your doctor may give you a prescription for medication. If painkillers are not working, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant, which is a medication that helps stop muscle contractions. Your doctor may also prescribe an antidepressant such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs can stabilize your brain’s levels of serotonin and can help you cope with stress.
Your doctor may also recommend other treatments, such as:
- stress management classes to teach you ways to cope with stress and how to relieve tension
- biofeedback, which is a relaxation technique that teaches you to manage pain and stress
- cognitive behavioral therapy, which is talk therapy that helps you recognize situations that cause you stress, anxiety, and tension
- acupuncture, which is an alternative therapy that may reduce stress and tension by applying fine needles to specific areas of your body
Supplements
Some supplements may also help relieve tension headaches. However, since alternative remedies can interact with conventional medications, you should always discuss these with a doctor first.According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the following supplements may help prevent tension headaches:
- butterbur
- coenzyme Q10
- feverfew
- magnesium
- riboflavin (vitamin B-2)
- applying a heating pad or ice pack to your head for five to 10 minutes several times a day
- taking a hot bath or shower to relax tense muscles
- improving your posture
- taking frequent computer breaks to prevent eye strain
Preventing future tension headaches
Since tension headaches are often caused by specific triggers, identifying the factors that cause your headaches is one way to prevent future episodes.A headache diary will help you determine the cause of your tension headaches. You can keep a record of your daily meals, beverages, and activities, as well as any situations that trigger stress. For each day that you have a tension headache, make a note of it. After several weeks or months, you may be able to make a connection. For example, if your journal shows that headaches occurred on days when you ate a particular food, this food may be your trigger.
Outlook for tension headaches
Tension headaches often respond to treatment and rarely cause any permanent neurological damage. Still, chronic tension headaches can affect your quality of life. These headaches can also make it difficult for you to participate in physical activities. You may also miss days of work or school. If it becomes a serious problem, talk to your doctor.It’s important not to ignore severe symptoms. Seek medical attention immediately if you have a headache that starts suddenly or a headache accompanied by slurred speech, loss of balance, or a high fever. This can indicate a much more serious problem, such as a stroke, tumor, or an aneurysm.
Source
No comments:
Post a Comment