Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. These headaches can last from approximately 15 minutes to several days. They are either chronic or episodic. If you have 15 or more headaches in a month, you have a chronic condition. If you have less than 15, you are experiencing episodic headaches. There are theories as to the causes of tension headaches but these have not been definitively proven.
Symptoms
Tension headaches produce mild to moderate pain in a person. This pain is often described as aching and dull. A patient may say the sensation is like having a taunt band strapped around her head. The pressure can be across the forehead, at the back of the head or at the temples. Aside from the pain, those with tension headaches may have tenderness in the neck and shoulder region. They may also lose their appetite and find it difficult to sleep when experiencing these headaches. Unlike migraine sufferers, those with tension headaches usually do not have nausea, vomiting or visual disturbances.
Triggers and Risk Factors
There are several things that can precipitate tension headaches. Though these differ from individual to individual, triggers include jaw clenching, maintaining a position too long, staying in the same position for a lengthy amount of time and poor posture. Other possible headache activators are depression, stress and anxiety. Individuals most likely to develop tension headaches are women and those over the age of 40 though these headaches are frequent in both genders and in all ages.
Treatment Medications
Medications are often used to alleviate the pain of headaches. The most common type of drug given is an analgesic, such as aspirin, naproxen sodium or ibuprofen. These can be given in the over- the- counter form or in prescription strength. This class of analgesics is referred to as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Sometimes a physician will prescribe an NSAID combined with a sedative to combat headaches. In addition to the medicines used to treat headaches, a physician may also prescribe preventative drugs for chronic sufferers. These medicines include muscle relaxants, anti-depressants and anticonvulsants.
Possible Causes
While the causes of tension headaches have not been definitively accepted, physicians believe there are several probable culprits which produce this pain. These include tense muscles especially those in the neck, shoulders and upper back, smoking, drinking alcohol, ingesting caffeine, eye strain, overexertion and fatigue. According to Medline Plus, when tension headaches occur there are no associated structural changes within the brain.
Home Care
The way you conduct your life can help you alleviate and possibly prevent tension headaches. Learn what your particular triggers are by keeping a headache journal. Note the time and duration of the headache, how you felt and what you did leading up to it. Review your journal after several or more headaches to look for patterns. By understanding what leads up to the headaches you can learn to prevent them. When experiencing a headache, take an analgesic as soon as possible before it "takes hold" and becomes more difficult to manage. Take a shower or bath, stretch your neck and shoulders and do anything else that helps relax you. For general home preventative care, engage in physical exercise daily and get eight hours of sleep or more at night.
