Tension Headache

Do you feel a dull ache on both sides of the head? Do the muscles in the neck and head feel tight and? You are most likely suffering a tension headache or stress headache as it is otherwise referred to. Such headaches are one of the most common forms of headache and can occur in adults and adolescents. The pain due to tension headache is wise-like and is generalized. Tension headaches may result from fluctuations in the levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin, endorphins and others. Tension headaches are noticed more often in women.

Tension headaches occur due to contraction of neck and scalp muscles. This contraction can be a reaction to stress, anxiety or posture. Excessive smoking, alcohol use, sinusitiss, eye strain can also bring on tension headache. Unlike migraine, tension headaches do not cause nausea and vomitting or numbness. Episodic tension headaches come a couple of times a month and last a few hours. If there are frequent episodes of tension headache, the condition is chronic. Skipping meals, stress, hormonal changes and hypertension medication can trigger tension headaches. Such headaches often have a genetic predisposition.

Tension headaches are treated with NSAIDs, aspirin or acetaminophen. A nonsedating muscle relaxant such as Skelaxin provides relief to persons suffering from tension headaches. Those who suffer from frequent bouts of tension headaches may need medications to reduce anxiety such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline or desipramine. But overuse of these medicines can lead to rebound headaches. You can try some of the following measures to bring tension headaches under control: