Tension headache
Tension headaches, also known as tension-type headaches, are one of the most commonly reported primary headache types. It is estimated that 90% of all headaches are actually tension headaches. Most adults have experienced tension headache at least once in their life, however, men are more prone to tension headaches than women are. Sufferers of tension headaches experience pain on both sides of their head, though it may sometimes point to the neck or the front of the head also. The pain in tension headaches typically radiates from the neck, back, eyes or other muscle groups in your body and spreads forward.
Tension headaches may occur if you are engaged in activities that cause the head to be held in one position for a long time, without moving. You can get tension headaches if you are typing or doing other computer work, doing fine work with your hands or using a microscope constantly for extended periods of time. Sleeping with the neck in an abnormal position may also trigger a tension headache. Additionally, tension headaches can occur because of stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, eyestrain, as well as tobacco and alcohol use.
Tension headache symptoms
Sufferers of tension headaches commonly report constant pressure on both sides of their head at once. In most cases, tension headaches are mild to moderate but they may be severe at times. The pain experienced during tension headaches can last from 30 minutes to 7 days and may worsen with stress, fatigue, noise or glare. Tension headaches usually begin gradually and often occur in the middle of the day. Other symptoms of tension headaches may include headache upon waking up, muscle aches, tiredness, sleeping difficulty, irritability, disturbed concentration, mild sensitivity to light or noise and occasional dizziness. Unlike migraine, tension headaches usually do not cause nausea or vomiting. Tension headaches that occur 15 or more days a month for at least 3 months are described as chronic tension headaches
Tension headache treatment
You can treat tension headaches by understanding your headache triggers. If you suffer from tension headaches quite frequently, you can keep a headache diary. In your diary, you can make a note of the day and time the pain began. Also, make a note of what you ate and drank in the last 24 hours, how much you slept, activity you were doing, your mood and were you under stress. You can use this diary to identify your tension headache triggers. Avoid these triggers to reduce the frequency of headache attacks.
Experts also recommend lifestyle changes for sufferers of tension headaches. By ensuring balanced meals at regular intervals, practising meditation, taking adequate amount of sleep and regular exercise and by quitting alcohol and smoking you can reduce the intensity and frequency of tension headaches.
To get relief from tension headaches you can also take help of non-prescription medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen. If you have severe headaches, your doctor may suggest prescription medications that can provide relief.
If you want to reduce your dependency on prescription medications, you can take the help of an advanced electronic device such as Cefaly. It is a scientifically advanced device that makes use of electrotherapy to send gentle electric; these impulses act on your nerve cells, thereby inhibiting pain. Worn like a headband, Cefaly can provide you relief from headaches as well as reduce the frequency of your tension headaches.
