Know More About Tension Headaches

By Author: Madden
Total Articles: 7
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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.

There are some alternative methods to prevent the onset of tension headaches. They are listed as follows:

Hot showers are very helpful in reducing inflammation
Ice packs or heat packs on the back of neck or head
Resting and sleeping is essential
Keep away from stressful situation
Excercising helps to reduce the pain and keep the body in shape.

Please visit this link for more information on Stress Headaches and this link for information on What Causes Headaches