Tension Headaches: A Pain In The Neck
Provided By:
www.headachepainrelief.org
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Nearly everyone has had at least one headache in their life, and everyone would agree that they are not fun and would like nothing more than to be rid of them forever. Unfortunately, headaches come and go and are a regular part of life in most circumstances. Some people have headaches daily and are forced to endure the pain and annoyance of the headache regularly; others only get them once in a while. Regardless of whether you get them regularly or just occasionally, the information contained in this article will be informative, and help you to understand tension headaches, learn about risk factors, and discover easy ways to manage your headaches.
Symptoms and Signs
A tension headache is unique in its own right, and distinctive from any other type of headache. These are known to occur on as often as a daily basis, and may last from thirty minutes to one week. The level of pain associated with tension headaches varies between people, their perceptions, and the level of pain tolerance each victim has. There are two types of tension headaches recognized by the International Headache Society; episodic and chronic, occurring less than half of a one month period, and more than half of a one month period respectively.
These headaches are often described as bilateral and pressing, and often feel as though there is tightening or squeezing in a band-like pattern around the head and neck. This type of headache is not usually associated with nausea, vomiting or photophobia, but the symptoms can vary slightly with each person.
Risk Factors
While anyone can get a tension headache, there are some risk factors that make people more likely to get them. The most common risk factor for this type of headache is stress. Stress can be defined as anything that causes a person to react in a way that their body is not used to. This can be psychological stress, physical stress, or emotional stress. This can also include muscular stress, like lifting weights excessively, or general stress including lack of sleep and rest.
Females are more likely to experience tension headaches, but males also get them quite frequently. Age also appears to be a factor in the etiology of these headaches, as approximately 60 percent of tension headaches appears in young adults from ages 20 to 50. Because of the commonality of this type of headache, there are several ways to manage the pain and get rid of the headache.
Managing Tension Headaches
There are several ways to take care of tension headaches, the effectiveness of which depends on the patient individually. The most common remedy for headaches is ibuprofen, but it can be rough on the stomach if used too often. For those who get headaches frequently, there are other treatments that are more natural. Chiropractic treatment and spinal manipulation have been known to rid patients of these headaches almost immediately. Because of the nature of the headache, with tension in the neck and back, massage therapy and IFC, interferential current, are the most commonly used treatments because they loosen up the muscles often associate with this headache.
For those who wish to remedy the situation at home, placing cold packs for no more than 20 minutes on the affected area can get rid of the headache by relaxing the muscles surrounding the neck. Each person is different, so you must decide for yourself the best way for you to get rid of your headaches, as you know your body best.
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