For many years it was believed that common headaches were caused by tension. While the causes of headaches are not completely understood, modern research contradicts the long held belief in the tension cause.
Some researchers suspect that, as with migraines, the underlying cause is more likely to be the interaction of serotonin with nerve cells. Research involving anti-depressants and other drugs that alter the levels of this neurotransmitter has provided some evidence to support the claim. But the search for an answer continues.
In the interim, the common treatments continue to apply for the vast majority of tension headache sufferers - which is just about everyone at one time or another. Though women get more headaches than men, both sexes suffer a tension-type headache at some point. Some, so-called 'chronic' cases get as many as several per month.
Though they typically last no more than a few hours, often less, they can be unpleasant and even debilitating, interfering with work and other pursuits. Treatment is often in the form of ordinary aspirin, but that wonder drug isn't suitable for everyone, since it can irritate the stomach lining.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are other common treatments and some commercial forms combine several ingredients. Excedrin, for example, contains aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Though acetaminophen rarely has significant side effects, it doesn't work for everyone. Ibuprofen can cause stomach upset for some users.
As with many conditions, the best cure is prevention. Here, lifestyle choices can influence the frequency and severity of tension headaches.
Though muscle tension in the head, neck, back or face may not be a primary cause, it can certainly play a part in a headache. Proper posture, regular exercise and a healthy diet can help influence tension.
Changing position while working is desirable, particularly for those at the computer for long stretches every day. Adjusting the location and position of mouse and keyboard can reduce stress on the neck and back. If you sit with one foot raised on a part of the chair, changing feet from time to time helps keep the back from tensing.
A regular exercise program keeps muscles strong, less prone to spontaneous tensing and encourages good blood flow. All those reduce the likelihood or severity of headaches.
Regular exercise also helps reduce stress and the odds of becoming stressful in the first place. Keeping tissues well oxygenated discourages headaches. One of the primary treatments for cluster headaches, for example, is a few minutes breathing of pure oxygen. Though of a different type, similar mechanisms may be at work in tension headaches.
A healthy diet works together with regular exercise to keep your body in top shape. Firm muscles, modest amounts of body fat and basic strength are built, in part, by good diet. It also supplies all the nutrients that, when present in too low amounts, can lead to tension headaches. Mineral levels play a part in headaches, as does the percentage of fluid.
More powerful medicine may be used in extreme or chronic cases. Migraines can be controlled with drugs such as triptans. There is some research that claims that tension headaches are a milder version of a migraine. Prior to taking prescription drugs, ask your doctor for advice on all treatment possibilities.
Printable Haedache Log
Each individual will have to set his or her own limit, but doing without is probably the safest bet for anyone.
Such risks are low, but are increased by, for example, taking it in conjunction with alcohol. Patients taking the anti-depressant Zoloft, for example, have reported some differences in effect between it and a generic substitute. That swelling is the body's reaction to increase blood supply and surround damaged tissue. In the case of severe, repeated headache episodes - since the condition is often neurological at base - it is, unfortunately, often necessary to seek the advice of one or more specialists. Correct diagnosis is key. No one, not even physicians, can always detect correctly at first which of these possible conditions is responsible. Warm, limber muscles helps optimize that process.
It is known that when injury occurs to tissue, prostaglandins are released that generate signals down nerve cells to the brain.
You might be surprised to find out however that it can be more difficult than you would think. Any of these can produce a headache if the circumstances persist, as they often do for information workers. There's no unique correct answer to which option, surgery or drugs (or some other), is best. A combination of isometheptene (a blood vessel constrictor), dichloralphenazone (a mild sedative) and acetaminophen (a pain reliever), it too carries risks. Triptans are a class of drugs that are chemically similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin, believed to play a role in migraines. Sinuses are cavities within the facial bones, above the eyes and behind the nose and cheekbones.