Taming the Tension Headache
Trying to get through a workday of important business with a vice-like, painful headache that shows no signs of stopping can be a huge challenge for many people. But most everyone has experienced a tension headache at one time or another, and the timing is rarely convenient. The medical professionals at Medco ER have a few tips to help you understand and navigate the next round of tension-type headaches that you or someone you love may experience.
Symptoms
Tension-type headaches can vary in severity and duration, but they usually have these easily recognizable symptoms:1
- Feeling of a tight band around the head
- Dull, aching pain in the head
- Sensation of pressure or tightness bearing down around the head
- Vice-like pain
- Tenderness in the scalp
- Tenderness in the neck and shoulder muscles
Types of Tension Headaches
Tension headaches can be categorized as episodic or chronic. Episodic tension-type headaches can last less than an hour to days.1 In frequency, they occur less than 15 days a month. Chronic tension-type headaches last for hours and days on end—more than 15 days a month.1
“If your tension headaches take up many days for three months in a row,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan, “then you are bordering on a chronic condition. It’s a good idea to be evaluated by your primary care physician or come in to Medco ER for an exam.”
Treatment of Tension Headaches
If you have frequent tension headaches, you may want to try a combination of the following common treatments:2
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Caffeine
- Drink plenty of water, eat regular meals
- Prescribed medication such as amitriptyline
- Non-medication treatments: biofeedback, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy
- Relaxation techniques: heating pad, muscle stretching, muscle strengthening, guided imagery to release tension3
Prevention of Tension Headaches
Since the cause of tension headaches is not known, prevention is not an exact science. You can try to make sure you don’t miss meals since headaches can occur from not eating regularly, or you can work to stay well hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day. Keeping a headache journal can help pinpoint the onset triggers for your headaches, such as determining a recurring time of day.4
Emergency Tension Headaches
“If you are not prone to tension headaches but suddenly feel an abrupt, severe head pain,” said Dr. Khan. “Come to Medco ER right away. Also, if you experience a fever, stiff neck, dizziness, confusion, seizure, muscle weakness or other concerning symptoms along with a headache, it is to be considered a medical emergency.”
Get Help Fast at Medco ER
If your tension headache has become too much to bear, occurs too often, or has emergency symptoms associated with it, come to Medco ER for fast help from board-certified physicians. Our facility is open 24/7 every day of the year and we have the labs, pharmaceuticals and imaging equipment to support a timely diagnosis and treatment.
Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-747-0370
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tension-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20353977
2 https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/tension-type-headache/
3 https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/4-ways-to-tame-tension-headaches