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How To Tell If You Suffer Chronic Tension Headaches |
15.08.2009 19:22 |
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If you have a tension headache for fifteen days of every month for many consecutive months, then you are one of those unfortunate individuals who suffer from chronic tension headaches. Unfortunately medical experts don't yet understand enough about chronic tension headaches and why they happen. The good news is that chronic tension headaches can be treated using home remedies and over the counter medications and they are not as disabling as other types of primary headache such as migraine. Nor will surgery be required to address the problem, which is sometimes the case with chronic sinus headaches. Why They Happen Researchers continue to deliberate with each other about what causes chronic tension headaches. Some think that they are the result of muscle contractions in the face and scalp, though there is data that calls this theory into question. Other researchers think that chronic tension headaches are the result of chemical imbalances of serotonin and other endorphins in the pain. Further research is needed in order for medical experts to make a definite decision about what causes them. Certain things seem to make people more likely to suffer from chronic tension headaches. Factors such as stress, a sedentary lifestyle, bad posture and even sleeping in an awkward position are common triggers of tension headaches. If you suffer from chronic tension headaches, it may help to make a note of what you were doing and how you were feeling directly before the onset of the pain. What They Feel Like The first indication that you suffer from chronic tension headaches is their persistence. You may suffer from a tension headache every once in a while. However, they aren't chronic tension headaches unless your head hurts for several months on end for around fifteen days out of every month. The awful thing about chronic tension headaches is that a person can suffer them for years on end. People who suffer from tension headaches sometimes compare the pain felt to having an extremely tight elasticized band constricting the circumference of their skull. However, some people feel pain in the base of the skull and top of the neck and the most severe type of tension headache can be felt over the entire head and neck. Tension headaches differ from migraines in that moving around does not make the pain feel more intense, and there is no nausea or vomiting. How To Stop Them Obviously it is better for you if you can stop the pain of chronic tension headaches naturally without the need for medication, and you can do this by amending your lifestyle and changing some of your habits. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat regular meals. Increase the amount of exercise you do and try to reduce your stress with relaxation techniques such as meditation. It may also help if you take measures to improve your posture, replace your mattress, and make sure you are seated properly if your job entails working on a computer for long periods of time. If you cannot stop your chronic tension headaches naturally then ask your health care provider about serotonin reuptake inhibitors, since they can correct any chemical imbalances in the pain. You can also reduce the pain of a tension headache effectively with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or ibuprofen. |
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