Tension Headaches: Causes and Remedies

Take just a moment to examine your lifestyle. Are you under a lot of pressure and stress, either at home, work, school, or all three? Do you get enough sleep? Do you eat well, or grab some fast food when you have a spare moment? Are you pushing yourself too hard? Do you feel angry and/or anxious, or are other factors causing emotional stress? Most importantly, do you have frequent headaches?

If you answered "yes" to any or all of these questions, you're a prime candidate for developing tension headaches. These are headaches caused by a completely different set of conditions that differentiate them from migraine or sinus headaches. The name given to these headaches describe exactly what causes them: tension

When you're carrying a too-large burden of stress, when you're tired a lot, when you don't eat or exercise well, and when you're suppressing anger or anxiety, the muscles in your neck and shoulders constrict and tighten. This is the cause of a tension headache; the tightened muscles in your upper back, neck and shoulders cause a throbbing pain centered in the lower center of your head.

Do you stare at your computer screen all day? Do you get up, walk around, take breaks, or do you pass the day hunched over that screen? Poor posture is another cause of tension headaches, making it obvious that you need to get up and stretch your neck and shoulders to avoid this type of headache.

Although not as insidious as the infamous migraine headache, the tension headache is every bit as debilitating to the sufferer because, without changes in your lifestyle, you could conceivably have these headaches every single day! This makes for an unhealthy and miserable life, to be sure.

What Can I Do to Relieve Tension Headaches?

The best thing is to avoid getting tension headaches in the first place. You can accomplish this by taking time to relax during your busy day, stretching your arms, neck and shoulders, at least every hour, eating nutritious food, doing some mild exercise that loosens up your muscles, and doing things that are pleasant for you.

If you feel over-burdened with work, a polite "no, I can't do that right now but I can do it first thing tomorrow" is in order. A physical therapist or an osteopathic physician can show you some stretches that can not only prevent but also relieve a tension headache. Remember, you are the determiner of your lifestyle; if you do things that cause muscle tension, you can expect unfavorable results.

Prescription medications for tension headaches are available if, after having altered your stressful lifestyle, you still have these headaches occasionally. Your physician may prescribe Midrin, a specific for tension headaches; it combines acetaminophen (Tylenol) with a mild barbiturate sedative to help you relax.

Midrin is helpful for many, but must not be over-used. Too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if you drink alcohol. The barbiturate in Midrin, although mild, can cause physical addiction. Your doctor will instruct you on the safe use of Midrin and other drugs like it.

In addition, your physician may also prescribe a mild muscle relaxer like Robaxin or Skelaxin. These drugs are very safe and effective; they help you relax those tense muscles that are causing your tension headaches. These drugs also must not be over-used as they can cause drowsiness, affecting your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. This is particularly true of Zanaflex, a more potent muscle relaxer that is known for its sedative properties and should never be used until you determine how it affects you.

Tension headaches are always unpleasant, but you hold they keys to their frequency and severity. Only you can eliminate their cause; medications do help with your pain, but without a lifestyle change, the medications are virtually useless.

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