Headache World

Tension headaches are typically brought on by overexertion, tiredness or stress and typically have a number of classic symptoms. Although these may differ from person to person it is estimated that 90% of all headaches that are not disease-related are tension headaches.

The pain of a tension headache is usually described as dull or aching and is experienced as a tightness or pressure that can encompass the regions of the forehead, back or side of the head and also tightness or tenderness in the scalp and the neck and shoulder muscles. Some people may occasionally experiences losses in appetite as well at the time of the headache.

The regularity of these headaches seems to vary considerably. While most people tend to have episodic headaches, which occur less than 15 times a week, some have more serious chronic headaches that occur more often (though not necessarily with greater severity). The duration of a headache such as this can also vary considerably, usually lasting from 30 minutes to a whole week in some cases.

A tension headache is sometimes associated with a migraine as, like a migraine, it is triggered by neuro-chemical changes in the brain, but there are some key differences. Where a migraine may be associated with “flashing lights”, blind spots or other visual distortions, slurring of ones speech, nausea, abdominal pain, numbness of the skin or body, weakness of the body or vomiting, tension headaches typically do not exhibit these symptoms. It has also been found that, unlike migraines, an increase in physical activity (especially physical exercise such as swimming) can reduce the frequency or severity of tension headaches. While many people complain they do not feel like doing such things while they have a headache, exercise can also reduce an existing one.

In terms of the likelihood for an individual to get a tension headache the most common occurrences are in women in their 30′s. In fact, women in general are more likely to get one than men, and it has been proven that one of the main causes of tension headaches are chemicals such as stimulants, such as caffeine or nicotine, or prescription medications for pain, high blood pressure or depression. Frequent use of any substance could also conceivably bring about the onset of this kind of headache.

The most common treatments for these kinds of headaches are analgesics. These work by changing the reception or perception signals within the brain, thereby eliminating or at least subduing the severity of the pain. As mentioned earlier, it also helps for people to get some exercise, a change of environment, and to eat more healthily. This may not always help though, and if it does not it is helpful to know that tension headaches sometimes occur in a pattern, and by keeping a headache diary it is possible to record the occurrences to track down possible causes and to help your doctor diagnose/prescribe directly some sort of treatment or other more alternative treatments. Acupuncture could also be used as it has shown results in the treatment of tension headaches.

•