|
Tension Headaches
The most common form of headache is a tension headache. Tension headaches are a result of stress and are experienced as a mild or moderate painful pressure on the neck or the head. People who experience tension headaches from time to time, can usually manage their symptoms with pharmaceutical medicines; however, people who suffer from tension headaches on a regular basis tend to require a stronger form of medicine.
What is a Tension Headache?
Tension headaches have not only been named for their association with stress, but also for triggering spasms in the scalp, face and neck muscles resulting from a stressful lifestyle.
What Types of Tension Headaches Are There?
Tension headaches are divided into two categories - chronic and episodic. Chronic tension headaches are suffered for more than 15 days each month and are experienced as different levels of pain all throughout the day. In contrast, episodic headaches are experienced for less than 15 days every month.
What Causes a Tension Headache?
In the past, medical scientists believed tension headaches were caused by continual muscular tension. In contrast today, it is believed there are many complex reasons and triggers that bring about a tension headache.
The known risk factors for tension headaches include:
- Fatigue, periods of stress or anger
- Anxietyand depression
- Excessive neck and shoulder movement
- Stationary work and repetitive tasks
- Chronic medical conditions
What Are The Symptoms of a Tension Headache?
When you experience a tension headache, you usually feel a dull pressure or painful tightness around the head. The level of pain can be either mild or moderate, however, for certain people the level of pain is quite intense. In addition to causing pain, tension headaches can also cause insomnia, irritability and a decrease in appetite. If a tension headache is left untreated, it can last up to several hours or even several days.
Tension headaches are quite different from migraines and come with their own specific type of symptoms. However, there are known cases where people have experienced both types of headache symptoms. Consequently, a tension headache sufferer may also demonstrate migraine symptoms including blurred vision, hearing problems and nausea. Nonetheless, a person suffering from a tension headache usually won't experience the pre-headache "aura" syndrome, that is typical of migraines.
How Do You Diagnose a Tension Headache?
To make a tension headache diagnosis, a health professional will usually ask a series of questions regarding your headache symptoms. These can include your physical symptoms, how often you're getting your headaches, and what triggers may be off your headaches.
Whilst there are no specific tests to diagnose tension headaches, there are particular tests your doctor can recommend to help identify any underlying causes. These tests include blood tests, eye-sight tests and CT or MRI scans.
What Does Treatment for a Tension Headache Involve?
Generally, any cure for tension headaches will start with targeting the underlying causes for the headache. Some of the preferred options include counseling and prescribed medication, however natural therapies such as acupuncture, massage and physical therapy for the neck area, are also proving beneficial for severe tension headaches victims.
|
|
|
