Tension Headaches can be considered the most common among all type of headaches, accounting for almost 93 % of all headaches experienced. The pain that people notice is often bilateral and general, which basically means that the pain appears on both sides of the head, and sometimes this can lead to mild pain at the back of your head.
Tension headaches tend to vary between people and even though on average they last somewhere from 3 up to 7 hours, there are also cases where they last 10 minutes, or up to a full week. Tension headaches can be either chronic or episodic. Chronic tension headaches are diagnosed when someone suffers from more than 10 headaches in any given month. Episodic headaches will be diagnosed when someone suffers from 10 headaches or less in any given month.
The sort of pain that tension headaches cause is in most cases moderate to mild, and often described as the feeling of a band which is squeezing the head Yet in other cases, the tension headaches are quite severe and lead to significant hindrance to the sufferer, restricting the everyday activities. More symptoms that can experienced are irritability, insomnia, muscle weakness, and fatigue.
What are the causes leading to Tension Headaches?
The real cause of tension headaches, despite it being quite common among many people around the world, turns out to be difficult to understand. Previously it was believed that muscle tension round the neck and head were the cause of tension headaches. However, closer investigation revealed that, even though muscle tension can be a cause, many sufferers from tension headaches not necessarily tend to have more muscle tension.
Latest research is suggesting that changes in the pain pathway in the brain, as well as in brain chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin are more likely the cause of tension headaches. The research community tends to agree that migraines and tension headaches may be related, given the fact that the same kind of brain changes appear with migraine sufferers.
What can be of help with treating Tension Headaches?
Over the counter medication, which you can buy at any pharmacy, is the treatment that is most common of tension headaches. The more popular ones of pain relief medications are acetaminophen, aspirins, and ibuprofen. Even though these types of medication can give fast relief, it is equally important to take into consideration that most of these medications can have side effects, and taking too much of them may result in rebound headaches.
What about Natural Remedies?
A lot of people nowadays are trying herbal and natural homeopathic remedies to combat tension headaches, in stead of the over the counter drugs in order to avoid the rebound effects. Several ingredients turn out to be able to alleviate the pain that tension headaches cause, while at the same time controlling the triggers.
What works very well at calming headaches are the homeopathic ingredients, like for instance China. In addition to that there are ingredients like Chamomilla and Kaliphos that are quite good at easing headaches and at soothing the nervous system, which are brought on by mental and physical brain fatigue. Yet another useful ingredient that may be used to treat muscle tension and at the same time sooth the nerves is Magphos.
What are the best strategies for treating and even preventing Tension Headaches?
• Be sure to always have a correct posture and try to avoid uncomfortable positions. When working, adapt your desk and chair accordingly to maintain a correct posture;
• It is important you learn and master the skill to relax. In order to help control tension and stress, practice breathing and relaxation techniques;
• It helps to keep a headache journal. In this journal you should write down the severity, location and which kind of pain, next to the frequency. This journal often is a useful diagnostic tool for you to understand the triggers leading to headaches, and for your physician;
• Avoid tobacco intake all together (which is also a good thing for your overall health) and moderate the amount of caffeine you consume;
• Be certain that you’re getting enough sleep ad try adhere to some form of regular sleep routine;
• Try to adopt a healthy life style with a balanced and healthy diet in addition to frequent physical activity. Exercising regularly will help reduce the pain of headaches and the frequency of their occurrence.
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