Tension Headaches - Finding Relief

My grandfather had a headache every day of is life. He lived to be 93 and could not remember one day when he did not suffer from a headache, whether it was a minor one or a very painful one. Chiropractors seemed to help some, but nothing could take them away completely.

We never learned what caused his headaches. Ordinary headaches were long thought to be the result of tension, hence the name ‘tension headache’. Contemporary research is suggesting that is unlikely, though the causes remain mysterious.

Some researchers suspect that, as with migraines, the underlying cause is more likely to be the interaction of serotonin with nerve cells. Research involving anti-depressants and other drugs that alter the levels of this neurotransmitter has provided some evidence to support the claim. But the search for an answer continues.

In the interim, the common treatments continue to apply for the vast majority of tension headache sufferers - which is just about everyone at one time or another. Though women get more headaches than men, both sexes suffer a tension-type headache at some point. Some, so-called ‘chronic’ cases get as many as several per month.

Though they typically last no more than a few hours, often less, they can be unpleasant and even debilitating, interfering with work and other pursuits. My grandfather would only stop his farm chores if he had an exceptionally bad headache. My grandmother would put an icepack on his head and he would rest. It was hard watching him suffer day after day.

Treatment is often in the form of ordinary aspirin, but that wonder drug isn’t suitable for everyone, since it can irritate the stomach lining.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are other common treatments and some commercial forms combine several ingredients. Excedrin, for example, contains aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Though acetaminophen rarely has significant side effects, it doesn’t work for everyone. Ibuprofen can cause stomach upset for some users.

As with many conditions, the best cure is prevention. Here, lifestyle choices can influence the frequency and severity of tension headaches.

Though muscle tension in the head, neck, back or face may not be a primary cause, it can certainly play a part in a headache. Proper posture, regular exercise and a healthy diet can help influence tension. I have personally found that greatly reducing my sugar intake helps quite a lot.

Changing position while working is desirable, particularly for those at the computer for long stretches every day. Adjusting the location and position of mouse and keyboard can reduce stress on the neck and back. If you sit with one foot raised on a part of the chair, changing feet from time to time helps keep the back from tensing.

A regular exercise program keeps muscles strong, less prone to spontaneous tensing and encourages good blood flow. All those reduce the likelihood or severity of headaches.

Regular exercise also helps reduce stress and the odds of becoming stressful in the first place. Keeping tissues well oxygenated discourages headaches. One of the primary treatments for cluster headaches, for example, is a few minutes breathing of pure oxygen. Though of a different type, similar mechanisms may be at work in tension headaches.

A healthy diet works together with regular exercise to keep your body in top shape. Firm muscles, modest amounts of body fat and basic strength are built, in part, by good diet. It also supplies all the nutrients that, when present in too low amounts, can lead to tension headaches. Mineral levels play a part in headaches, as does the percentage of fluid.

For more extreme or chronic conditions, stronger medicine may be necessary. Drugs, like triptans, are used to manage migraines. But some research suggests that tension headaches may be just a mild form of migraine. Before taking any prescription medication consult a physician and ask probing questions to discover all your available options.