Headaches are a part and parcel of everyone’s life. But there is no single type of headache Though the symptoms are the same, (pain in the head), each ache is caused due to different reason. Headaches go by various names such as Migraine, Chronic Daily Headache, Cluster Headache, Tension Headaches or Stress Headaches, Facial Headaches and Sinister Headaches and so on.
Stress Headaches originate in the back of the neck. The pain starts from the tendons at the side and extend till the back of the neck. This headache usually occurs in people when they have been working too hard or even while driving over long distances. Apart from work, stressful situations can cause these headaches. They can also occur due to a sudden rise in blood pressure. The main reason behind these headaches is the liver. Emotional and mental stress can cause disruption in the smooth functioning of the liver.
These headaches are also called Tension headaches and they occur in more than one-third of the adults. The symptoms of the headache are when the pain occurs in both the sides of the head and generally feel a tightening sensation either in the forehead or at the back of the neck. They do not generally weaken the person but they can cause a lot of pain and inconvenience to the person who is suffering from them. It is not technically a recurring condition, but those who suffer from stress headaches, the pain occurs once or twice a month.
The next point is, how can someone diagnose if the headache is a migraine or stress-related. The doctor will usually be able to tell the patient if the headache is stress-related or otherwise by examination and the description of pain related to him. One advantage is no advanced medical procedures such as, MRI scan, blood tests, x-rays and so on, is required to diagnose tension headaches. The treatment of the headaches is simple too. If the pain is occassional, then over-the top counter pain relievers can reduce the pain to an extent. But remember to check the expiry date and the label for some after-effects if any. It is also advised to follow directions on the label, correctly.
In case, the pain relievers don’t help, consult a doctor at the earliest. They may prescribe medicines that need to be taken with the onset of the headache. It is always advised to treat the heachaches when they are just beginning and before they get serious and more painful. Doctors can also prescribe medicines that need to be taken even on the headache-free days, so as to stop the onset of a tension headache.
Excercising helps to reduce the pain and keep the body in shape.
Stressful situations are unpleasant to deal with and can, in some circumstances, last for a long time. Pressure and tension in the workplace or at home are major contributing factors to the stress in many people’s lives.
And while the deadlines, interpersonal difficulties and worries of daily life can be difficult enough on their own, they can also create a range of physical problems.
Sleeplessness, digestion problems, unhealthy weight gain or loss, and muscles tension can all be caused by ongoing stress.
One of the most disruptive stress-related ailments can be a tension headache. While it is not always easy to get rid of this type of headache, due to the possibility that there may be many causes, there are things you can do to decrease the discomfort of a tension headache.
Muscle tension or muscle spasms in the shoulders and neck can trigger or contribute to the pain of tension headaches symptoms. If you find that you are prone to tension headaches, paying particular attention to muscle tightness this could help you be forewarned about when a headache is about to start.
For tension headaches symptoms are worsened by muscle tension, it might be helpful to use a heat pad, hot water bottle or muscle ache cream to ease the tension in your neck and shoulders.
This might not prevent or remove the tension headaches symptoms, but it might reduce the severity and help you relax. In fact , any routine that helps you relax at the end of the day might be beneficial in preventing tension headaches.
A warm shower or bath, a cup of herbal tea, or a cooling washcloth draped across your eyes can help relax away the tension at the root of your headaches.
Some tension headache sufferers might find relief from deep breathing exercises or light stretching routines to give the body a chance to unwind after a stressful day.
Making time to relax at the end of the day even when not suffering from tension headaches can help prevent stress from building up to the point that it could trigger a headache.
While different headache sufferers experience different types of pain associated with tension headaches, this type of headache is frequently categorized by pervasive pain or a sensation of pressure across the entire head.
Visual disturbances, such as spots or lights interrupting the line of sight, are usually signs of a migraine headache rather than a tension headache.
If your headaches are recurring or occur in conjunction with nausea or visual symptoms, a diagnosis from a physician will help rule out other types of headaches and other possible medical issues before you try to find the best way to treat your headaches.
If it turns out that you are dealing with recurring tension headaches symptoms, your physician may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers for you to take as needed. Acetaminophen can be effective, as can aspirin and ibuprofen.
Your physician should be able to advise you on methods for combining pain relievers with stress reduction techniques for maximum relief from your tension headaches.