Tension Type Headache
Nothing
can put you down as fast as a headache of any
type - but tension type headaches, which are also
called stress headaches often keep us from accomplishing
things that we have set out to do. Tension headaches
commonly come on in the middle of the day - when
we need to be at our best - making it difficult
to get our work done or live our lives normally
in many cases.
Most sufferer’s of tension headaches report
a constant dull ache on both sides of their
heads. These headaches come on slowly, and gradually
increase in intensity. A tight feeling in the
head and neck may also be experienced. Sometimes
the pain is only mild, and sometimes they are
severe. Some people report that their tension
headaches are worse than a migraine headache.
As with most headaches, sensitivity to light
is often reported as well.
Tests are not usually required to diagnose
a tension headache. Most doctors recognize the
problem when the symptoms are reported. However,
if you experience tension headaches on a regular
basis, especially when there is nothing going
on that might cause regular tension headaches,
your doctor may order x-rays, a CT scan, an
MRI, or blood tests just to rule out other,
more serious, possibilities.
How tension headaches are treated is usually
determined by the frequency of the headaches.
For occasional tension headaches, over the counter
pain relievers are often used. You should always
read the labels of any type of headache pain
relief medication you choose, and do not take
it for an extended period of time. If the headaches
are not occasional, see your doctor.
For frequent tension headaches, over the counter
pain reliever may not work, or may eventually
stop working as your body becomes accustomed
to the medication. Stronger pain relief medication
will most likely be prescribed. You may also
need to take anti-anxiety medications as well.
Again, this will be determined by your doctor
based on the severity and frequency of the headaches.
Because light tends to make tension headaches
worse, you should wear a pair of sunglasses
to reduce light rays. Sunglasses can often even
prevent the headaches. Trigger Optics, at http://www.triggeroptics.com
, offer sunglasses that were designed specifically
for headache sufferers. These sunglasses not
only help prevent headaches, they also prevent
headache pain from becoming worse.
It is important to know that as headache pain
increases it becomes harder to treat the pain.
Tension headaches should be treated at the first
sign, not when the pain becomes worse. You can
treat the headache, from the onset, by putting
on sunglasses to reduce the light, taking pain
reliever - even though the pain isn’t very
bad, and by getting away from a stressful situation
that may have caused the headache.
You don’t have to completely forget about
the stressful situation, but you can get away
from it for just a little while and relax a
bit. In more serious cases, a vacation may even
be required. Sometimes, stress can become overwhelming
it does more than cause a headache. It can make
us very sick, and cause high blood pressure
as well! This, in turn, can lead to even more
serious health problems.
Other treatments include taking a hot bath
or shower and/or using heat or ice on your neck
or head. Tension headaches can be prevented,
again, by wearing sunglasses in bright light,
and also by making sure that you get plenty
of sleep at night. Regular exercise will also
reduce tension headaches. Avoiding stressful
situations also helps.
Again, if you have tension headaches on a regular
basis, you should really seek the advice of
your health care provider. Over the counter
medication won’t always help in these situations,
and it may even signal a more serious problem.
Article Reprinted with Permission in it's entirety
