Tension headache is one of the most common types of headache that most people experience. The dull pain that gradually becomes pronounced is enough to make a person quit work and go home. There are many people who would not feel motivated to do things if they could not find a tension headache reliever.
5 simple steps to provide tension headache relief:
You can take painkillers. You can buy non-prescribed drugs to relieve your tension headache. You could use drugs such as Aspirin or Ibuprofin to relieve your tension headaches. The back of every box or bottle has the active ingredients listed. You should avoid taking such medicines more than three times a week because they cause rebound headaches. Your body will become reliant on the drugs and whenever you stop taking the medicine your headache will rebound. People would suffer from rebound headaches if they become addicted to painkillers.
You could massage you temples and your face to help relieve the pain. Scientists once believed that tension in the muscles of the neck, back, and face were main causes of headaches but their theory is up for debate. Muscle tension and circulation are known to be a an accessory to the cause of tension headaches. Massaging a painful area is a temporary way to relieve tension headache. Though it is only for temporary relief, you could apply a little pressure to the sore area and massage it.
You can use heat or ice to relieve the aching. Migraine and tension headache can be relieved by use of an ice pack but tension headaches are generally more spread out than migraines. Putting an ice pack on the back of your neck often helps relieve tension headaches.
Stay away from the trigger. If you know what is causing your headaches do not provoke it. If stress is the cause of your problems then take some time to relax.
Nap for a short while. While asleep you will be able to avoid the pain and by the time you wake up it should be gone.
The aforementioned tension headache relief tips can surely help you become more productive again.
An Introduction to chronic tension headache
Tension headache is classified into two major types: chronic and episodic. Episodic type is defined as tension type headache that happens less frequently, most likely less than 15 days a month. If the frequency of the episodic headache lasts for more than two weeks, it becomes a chronic tension headache. People who experience chronic tension headache suffer daily from mild to severe pain. Although chronic tension headache episodes can be mild at times, it is still annoying and somehow counterproductive. Some of the common tasks like reading, calculating or using the computer needed in office jobs can not be performed very efficiently. As reported by Patient UK, a medical site that informs the general public, chronic tension headache happens to 3 out of 100 adults . However, the source of the condition is not really that clear for many doctors. There's a possibility that it is caused by tension. For this reason 'tension-type headache" is a more appropriate term than tension headache. Actually, chronic tension headache can just happen anytime. Some may be triggered by things such as:
* Emotional tension, anxiety, tiredness or stress.
* Physical tension in the muscles of the scalp and neck.Case in point, office workers with bad posture would develop tense muscles in the neck over time. Squinting eyes while reading is a bad practice since it contributes to tension in scalp muscles.
* Physical factors - cold, heat, noise and bright lights
Truth is, chronic tension headache is not simply caused by these factors. A very ideal solution is to have a medical check-up so the doctor can fully assess the condition by checking the muscles around the neck and head. Also, different laboratory tests maybe required by the doctor if needed. There are studies that consider heredity as an underlying factor. If people inherited this condition from their parents, then they are more prone to suffer from pain even if the triggering factor is minimal. The best remedy for this situation then is to seek relief from pain that can be alleviated by alternative therapy like massage. Some individuals who can't bear the pain take over the counter medicine (OTC) but drugs have adverse effects too. Instead, try seeking more natural remedies which can even provide safer solutions.
Different types of tension headache medicine available today
Most of the time, people experience tension headache which is really very counterproductive especially when they are working. It was formerly believed that tension headache was mainly caused by muscle contractions from different parts of the head; however, tension headache is presently attributed to factors like stress, fatigue, emotional conflicts, depression or repressed hostility. In most situations, over-the -counter ( OTC) medicines offer relief from tension headache. In fact, Aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen widely-used by the general population for pain.
However, Dr Jaime Lopez, assistant professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, issued a warning about taking too much over-the-counter medicines to relieve tension headache. She asserts that, "If you have frequent headaches and find yourself taking more and more over-the-counter medication, you could set yourself up for rebound headaches". Rebound headaches most likely happen when a person cease to take tension headache medicine.
As a matter of fact, doctors suggest that people should not take OTC for more than twice a week especially when they have already consulted a health professional.Only the doctor can give a comprehensive diagnosis of your condition and suggest proper tension headache medicine.
Over-the-Counter tension headache medicine
There are varieties of tension-type headaches which can be addressed by over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium; yet, they all have side-effects on the long run.
* Prescription Headache Medications. There are kinds of tension-type headache that OTC could not address at all; thus, prescription medications take place in this case. Here are some of them:
* Acetaminophen mixed with codeine. Commonly prescribed by doctors only when cases of tension headache are sever enough and OTCs do not work anymore. This kind of tension headache medicine can only be used rarely to avoid abuse and rebound headaches.
* Antidepressants Antidepressants, particularly the tricyclics, are good for chronic tension headaches. These medicines do not just relieve pain, they can also treat the underlying cause.
* Tranquilizers - Tranquilizers are prone to abuse so doctors limit prescribing these to patients even if it's effective.
People can derive advantages from tension health medicine but they must follow the doctor for safer diagnosis and treatment.
Effective tension headache remedies
Tension headache affects millions of people every year. Once tension headache sets in, a person can become unproductive because the pain is very distracting. Staying on front of the computer, reading books or making calculations would be a burden in this case. Instead,the person just wants to rest or sleep to relieve the pain. The good news is that DIY tension headache remedies are discussed in this article to help you. Actually, rest, ice packs or a long, hot shower can be effective tension headache remedies. A variety of strategies can help reduce the severity and frequency of chronic tension headaches without using medicine. A treatment plan for headache can include any of these approach. Try some of the following suggestions to see which work best for you.
* Learn different ways to handle stress effectively. Stress is a commonly reported trigger for tension headache. Planning your day ahead can be an effective way to prevent stress. Giving yourself more time for relaxation is good. In cases wherein you're faced with too much stressors, take a deep breathe and relax.
* Try hot or cold. One of the known tension headache remedies is applying hot or cold compress to the head. It's all up to you to choose between the two types of compress..Make sure you apply heat safely by using any of these: a hot-water bottle,warm compress or even a hot towel. A hot bath or shower is a good option too. Cold ice is a good choice too if you wrap it first before applying to your skin.
* Observe good posture. Relaxed muscles can be attributed to good posture. Good posture promotes well-being and strengthens spine and muscles.Good posture is a good way of preventing health problems that comes from injuries.
* Massage. Massage is one effective solution in lessening tension. A relaxing back and head massage is very natural and calming way to reduce the tension caused by tight muscles. A lot people prefer massage as treatment for tension headache. The head,neck, and shoulders can be slowly massaged using your fingertips. You can also get a good masseuse to do the job. Check online for licensed practitioners from professional massage association.
Inside a migraine tension headache
There are many different kinds of headaches. A headache can be caused from tension, migraine, sinus, menstrual, cluster as well as many other kinds of classifications. You should probably know that a migraine tension headache can have multiple causes. Women are common victims to migraine tension headache. Do you know what the difference between a migraine and a tension headache is?
The two main types of tension headaches are classified as chronic and episodic. A chronic headache is a headache that lasts for more than 15 days. The pain of a tension headache will start off as dull but will become extreme over time. Tension headaches typically effect both sides of the head and become stronger as the day progresses. The usual causes of tension headaches are stress, bad posture, improper sleep.
Migraines are worse because they are extremely painful. People with migraines feel nauseous, and are extremely sensitive to light and sounds. People who have a history of migraine are more likely to have one again. During adolescence, it is not odd for one to experience a migraine. There are cases of people who abuse medical drugs who later feel a rebound of the migraine. A migraine tension headache occurs after a migraine persistently rebounds. Because it is a part of the menstrual cycle women experience migraines more often than men.
There are other names for migraine tension headache such as coexisting migraine, transformed migraine and chronic daily migraine. If you ever fall victim to a migraine tension headache you will realize that the headaches happen on a constant basis. It is hard for doctors to identify migraine tension headache because symptoms from both headaches and migraines are present. Pain killers are harmful for ill so they should not become dependent on them. Only a doctor should provide medication for the sickness which is made obvious by the difficulty of identifying it.If you are not a doctor, do not attempt to cure this problem on your own because you can hurt yourself or others.
Many ways to relieve muscle tension headache available
There are simple ways to cure a muscle tension headache like drinking a nice cold glass of water. But there are other ways available to reduce the pain as well as occurrences. The list below is your key to relieving your muscle tension headache.
Relaxation techniques to cure muscle tension headache
University of Maryland Medical Center states that practicing Yoga and meditation helps relieve a muscle tension headache Practicing these relaxation techniques relieves stress that has been building up in the muscles. You can also relax your muscles by keeping a good posture. In addition, good posture is known to relieve muscle tension. One could also use Biofeedback to for relief. Another cure for muscle tension is to use biofeedback because the process it uses helps relax the muscles.
Drugs
The UMMC warns that you should only take two over-the-counter drugs twice a day The headaches tend to return if you exceed this amount. If the pharmacy drugs do not work you can get a prescription from your doctor.
What you should not eat
Some foods can trigger headaches when ingested, says the UMMC. Due to peoples’ variability, nobody can be sure about which foods will induce a muscle tension headache.You can find the foods that give you a muscle tension headache by not eating certain foods that you currently are eating. Chocolates, caffeine, peanut butter, dairy, pickled foods, nuts, avocados, bananas, citrus, cheese and monosodium glutamate foods should be avoided as they are common causes of headaches.
Herbal relief
Tension headaches can also be relieved by the use of herbs. The UMMC says that peppermint oils applied to the forehead are able to do the job. An ointment called tiger balm can be used as well to reduce the pain of headaches. An ointment called Feverfew could be used to reduce the headaches as well, but the ointment has a tendency to cause bleeding. Because of the risks, this ointment should not be used by pregnant women or women with newborn children.
How to relieve yourself using hot and cold therapy
You could relieve headaches by putting a heat pad, heated bottle, or other products that produce heat on the back of your head and on your upper-back. The classic ice pack on the forehead can also serve to relieve your headaches.
Most common tension headache symptoms
Tension headache is one of the primary types of headache experienced by many people. In fact, it can lead to loss of productivity because the pain can be unbearable. Tension headache symptoms often make people lose focus and decide to stop working.There are many possible causes of tension headache such as hunger, lack of sleep, stress , caffeine withdrawal or even dehydration. People who also read a lot or use the computer for long hours can possibly experience tension headache later. Due to the fact that there are various types of headache, proper identification of tension headache symptoms is crucial for diagnosis.This would greatly help the health professional to guide you towards appropriate treatment measures. Here are some basic tension headache symptoms that people experience:
* The aching or squeezing pain maybe present on both sides of the head. Nevertheless, the pain can also radiate to the neck and shoulders. The pain starts mildly and can become more severe after some time. Unlike migraine, it is not accompanied by vomiting, nausea and light sensitivity.
* The person cannot anticipate when the headache would occur. There are certain kinds of headache characterized by prodrome or period that warns of an impending headache.
* Instances of tension headache symptoms are often common in the afternoon because people are tired by then.
* When the condition occurs for more than 6 months, then it is a chronic tension type of headache. Consult a doctor immediately.
Doctors find it of great value when tension headache symptoms and pain are described well by patients. The pain can be classified as pulsating, stabbing or radiating. Describe also the location of the pain like which side of the head you feel it most . Similarly, narrate to the doctor how much it affects your daily life. There are cases wherein people find it hard to sleep at night leading to more lack of sleep.
Tension headache symptoms can reveal an underlying medical condition so it is best if you consult a doctor. Health professionals can also require tests like MRI or CT Scans which can aid diagnosis. Yet, most tension headache symptoms are manageable by simply taking a rest; however, if the pain is unbearable go to the clinic.
Overview of medications used for tension headache treatment
Since tension headache is one of the most common type of headache that affects many people, it is but normal for them to seek relief from the pain.In most cases, individuals resort to over-the counter ( OTC) pain relievers as tension headache treatment.For a certain period, the drugs provide comfort but it can mean more problems in the form of rebound headaches. The body has a way of developing resistance to some medicines so abuse of OTCs should be prevented to protect the immune system. To better understand the different types of medications for tension headache treatment, check the following list:
* Pain relievers. Among the types of tension headache treatment medications, these are often abused because it's easy to get them. People usually buy popular drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. As a warning, severe side-effects like gastro-intestinal bleeding, cardio risks and blood-thinning effect can be caused by these drugs. As much as possible, take these medicines moderately to prevent health risks.
* Combination medications. Aspirin or acetaminophen or both are often mixed with caffeine; in some cases, even with a sedative drug in a single medication. These combination are likely to be more potent than single-ingredient pain killers. Although many combination drugs are available OTC, those with sedatives can be obtained only by prescription because people have a tendency to become dependent on the drug for pain.
* Triptans and narcotics. Among the drugs for tension headache treatment, triptans are known for their potency to address migraine pain as well as episodic tension headaches. Researches have indicated that the injectable form of sumatriptan, a typical migraine medication, are also applicable as good tension headache treatment for chronic types.
* Opiates, or narcotics, are rarely used today since people become dependent on such drugs.
The real score is that pain killers are temporary tension headache treatment only; also, prolonged use can endanger one's health. Over time, painkillers and other medications can become ineffective or might even cause rebound headaches. To prevent having rebound headaches,never increase your intake of pain killers for more than nine days a month. If you're one of the people who needs medications on a regular basis, always consult a doctor for safe and effective treatment. Also, remember that medications for tension headache treatment are just temporary solutions; better yet, address the root of the condition than avoid pain all the time.
Understanding what is a tension headache
The International Headache Society considers tensions headache as one of the most common type of headache experienced by millions of people. Tension headache manifests as mild pain that can be severe after a few hours; it is like having a tight band around your head.Once you feel tension headache, it is highly likely that you would lose track of what you're doing. Tension headache is usually felt as early as adolescence and has a high prevalence to individuals age 20-50 years. It is therefore helpful to understand what is a tension headache so people can learn how to cope during painful episodes.
Generally, there are two types of tension headache: chronic or episodic according to medicine. The major difference between the two types is the length of an episode. Episodic tension headache typically happens for less than 15 days a month so this means less pain. On the other hand, chronic tension headache occurs for at least 15 days a month and can last for more than half a year. This type of tension headache is a real source of misery for people since they would feel pain for at least 4 hours a day.So to learn more about what is a tension headache, consult a health professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of your condition.
Further understanding of what is a tension headache would also lead you to its causes.There are actually different factors that trigger a tension headache, namely:
* Stress
* Inadequate sleep
* Uncomfortable position for a prolonged period
* Hunger (Low blood sugar)
* Dehydration
* Caffeine Withdrawal
* Eyestrain
It was a long-held belief that muscle contractions on the face, neck and scalp contribute to tension headache. These contractions can be further aggravated by stress or bad feelings. Later, various theories such as heightened sensitivity to pain by some individuals lead to tension headache in individuals. Health professionals who want to be sure of their diagnosis often look into various possible causes behind the condition. If the headache is caused by hunger or lack of sleep, then the person is advised to rest and eat properly. Stress can also be the culprit behind this condition; thus, options for stress management such as meditation or Pilates can be a good idea. The more you understand what is a tension headache, the better chances you have in coping with the condition.
What is a neck tension headache?
A neck tension headache typically relies on a group of neck muscles. At first, the pain will be felt in an acute area but will eventually spread into a wider area. When the pain spreads, the sufferer will feel the pain spread from a single area into multiple areas including the neck and shoulders which will also cause a headache. A sufferer of a neck tension headache will realize that the area of tension is sore to the touch. They will notice that the muscles feel soft and if the sufferer puts pressure to one point they will feel a distinct pain. This area is known as the trigger point. A trigger point is what sets off most headaches.
Symptoms of a neck tension headache/ How to know if you have a neck tension headache/Signs of a neck tension headache
The symptoms have been described above: An acute pain at the trigger point, sore and tender muscles, and pain in the neck and shoulder areas. Severe pain can also immobilize the neck.
Neck tension headaches - Relievers
Many treatments exist for a neck tension headache There are medications such as Myopax that have been found to be effective in treating a neck tension headache.
The medication tries to relieve the cramped muscles in the trigger point. It lowers the pain by reducing the muscle tension. These medicines additionally relax muscles in the neck area.
One patient stood by Fiorinal because the patient believed it was the best. The patient was experiencing neck tension that extends to the left eye. Fiorinal was too risky for the patient to keep taking so the doctors prescribed the patient with a different drug. Sufferers do not need to take medications for relief because there are other things that work great for them. One can avoid the development of this pain by avoiding stressful situations and learning to relax. To reduce a neck tension headache you can take a break from work to relax. By resting you give your muscles the chance to relax.
One of the best alternatives for healing a neck tension headache is acupuncture. It not only is able to reduce tension but it also helps relax the body and mind. By practicing a healthy lifestyle and eating regularly you reduce your chances of suffering a neck tension headache.
