Tension headache symptoms are thought to come about as a result of tension that settles in the body around the face, shoulders, neck and back. Most headaches are considered to fall under the category of tension headaches. However, the entire concept of headaches is still quite a mystery even though most of us have suffered from them at one time or another. Many researchers believe that both tension headaches and migraines are caused by the amount of serotonin that is produced. Studies show that anti-depressants and various other types of drugs can help change the amount of serotonin that is able to interact with the cells of the nerves.
Since there is no cure all for headaches to be found right now, you can turn to the next best thing: trying widely used treatments to find the one that will bring you the most relief for your headaches with the least amount of side effects. Statistically, women suffer from headaches more than men, but everyone suffers from them at one time or another. Individuals who suffer from headaches on a regular basis are said to suffer from chronic headaches.
Sometimes, a headache is very dull and it doesn’t intrude with daily activities too much. It can last for a couple of hours and then it is gone. Other headaches, however, last for several hours or even days. These headaches can be so severe that the person is unable to function and tries to stay away from light and sound. For basic or mild headaches, aspirin is the number one remedy. Some people find that aspirin helps their headache, but it also gives them stomach problems to deal with.
Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are commonly used in many over-the-counter headache medications. Excedrin has a variety of active ingredients including aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Very few people have any side effects when they use acetaminophen, but it doesn’t take care of the headache pain for everyone. Ibuprofen tends to work better for pain, but like aspirin, it can lead to stomach problems.
The best way to actively protect yourself against headaches is to take the proper steps to prevent them from happening at all. The lifestyle you live, how you deal with stress, your diet and the triggers you can identify before headaches occur. Try to relieve tension in your body by relaxing and by maintaining good posture. This will help alleviate the onset of tension headaches in many instances. If you are in the same position all day, it is even more important that you take the time to stretch at regular intervals. You should set up computer stations so that the least amount of pressure is placed on the back and the neck.
Your muscles will be less tense if you exercise on a regular basis. This will give your body tissue plenty of oxygen, which is proven to help offset headaches. This is very true for cluster headaches where the primary way to take care of them is to administer pure oxygen for a couple of minutes. Your body has the best chance of staying healthy if you combine regular exercise with a well balanced diet. Having the right nutrients can help your body fight off headaches. If you don’t get enough essential vitamins and minerals then you can get headaches.
Your doctor can help you with trying various medications to help you get relief from serious headache pains or chronic headaches. Triptans are drugs that are often administered to those that suffer from migraine headaches. Make sure you consult with your doctor to find out what options may be available to you.