By: Juliet Cohen
Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches. They can even occur when the patient also has a migraine. Tension-type headaches account for nearly 90% of all headaches. They can be episodic or chronic. Episodic tension headaches occur less than 15 days a month, whereas chronic tension headaches occur 15 days or more a month. Approximately 3% of population suffers from chronic-tension type headache.
Tension headaches can last from minutes to days – or even months. A typical tension headache lasts 4-6 hours. Causes include eye strain, fatigue, alcohol use, excessive smoking, excessive caffeine use, sinus infection, nasal congestion, overexertion, colds, and influenza. Tension headaches are not associated with structural abnormalities in the brain. They result from the contraction (tensing) of neck and scalp muscles. One cause of this muscle contraction is a response to stress, depression, head injury, or anxiety.
Sleeping in a cold room, or sleeping with the neck in an abnormal position may also trigger a tension headache. It may be made worse by jaw pain from clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism) or by head trauma, such as a blow to the head or whiplash injury. People with stiff joints and muscles due to arthritis of the neck or inflammation of the shoulder joints may also develop tension headache.
Treatment of tension headaches is easy, using over-the-counter medications. Analgesics (pain relievers), acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), and a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in reducing headache pain. Aspirin or acetaminophen (or both of these analgesics) are often combined with caffeine or a sedative drug in a single medication. Combination drugs such as this may be more effective than pure analgesics for pain relief.
In some cases, short term use of prescription medications may be tried. These include codeine combined with acetaminophen, and oxycodone. Some patients respond to antidepressants or beta-blockers or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor) and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) produce fewer side effects than do the tricyclic antidepressants but generally are less reliable in preventing headache.
You can prevent many tension headaches by avoiding situations that may cause them. Use good posture when reading, working, or involved in activities that may cause a headache. Exercise the neck and shoulders frequently. Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming or biking, can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Massage is a wonderful way to reduce stress and relieve tension.
8 Tips for Tension Headaches:
1. Avoid situations that may cause a tension headache.
2. Use good posture when reading, working, or involved in activities that may cause a headache.
3. Exercise the neck and shoulders frequently.
4. Treatment for this type of headache usually consists of nonprescription pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
5. Avoid sitting, standing or working in one position for long periods of time.
6. Do regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your neck and shoulders.
7. Applying heat or ice to sore muscles may ease the tension.
8. Use a heating pad set on low, a hot-water bottle, a warm compress or a hot towel.
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Article Source: uberarticles.com