Tension Headache: Causes And Treatments

We all know how unpleasant having a headache can be. This discomfort prevents us from carrying out day-to-day tasks effectively, makes us feel uncomfortable, and generally robs us of energy. However, at some point we have all experienced it. Although there are many types of versions of this condition, tension headache is one of the most common.

It is a type of headache that appears due to excessive tension in the muscles of the neck and scalp. These exaggerated muscle contractions are estimated to cause 78% of the world’s headaches. They are usually associated with problems such as depression, anxiety or stress, although they can affect practically anyone.

Although it usually causes no more problems than simple discomfort, a tension headache can become relatively serious if it does not go away for a long time. In this article we will tell you what the main causes of this problem are and what you can do to combat it.

What exactly is a tension headache?

Most people with this disorder describe the sensation of having a bandage pressing down on their head. In this way, they feel a generalized pain that is not very strong, but which can be very unpleasant. In general, a headache of this type will not prevent the person from carrying out their usual tasks, but it will produce a feeling of not being clear, as well as fatigue and discomfort.

Although it is not known exactly why tension headache occurs, it is known that there are several factors that predispose it to appear:

• Episodes of stress, anxiety or depression extended over time.

• Insomnia and lack of sleep for several days in a row.
• Straining your eyes for long periods. This can occur for example when staring at a screen or not wearing glasses having myopia.
• Poor posture when sleeping or sitting that causes stiff neck.

In general, tension headaches appear less than 15 days each month. If its frequency is higher, it is considered to be facing another type of disorder, such as chronic headache. Although it can also be caused by stress, it is generally classified as a different problem.

How to Treat a Tension Headache

The most important secret to treating tension headaches is finding out exactly why it happened. If you succeed, you will know what is the most effective way to make it disappear. To do this, ask yourself the following questions:

• What changed in the days before the headache appeared?
• Are you experiencing a lot of stress lately? If so, has it escalated in recent days?
• Have you strained your neck or back muscles in any way? This can happen, for example, during intense physical exercise.
• Are you adopting unnatural postures for a long time?
• Have you forced your eyes too much? For example, staring too long at a computer or mobile screen.

Depending on the answers to these questions, you can adopt different strategies to combat tension headaches. For example, if you think the problem has to do with an excess of negative emotions, you could try using relaxation techniques  to reduce the negative impact of stress on your body.

On the other hand, if you think that your headache is caused by physical factors (such as poor posture or an overload of certain muscles), it may be enough to change your habits and be more attentive to the postures and movements you adopt.

I have to go to the doctor?

In general, tension headaches should not be a cause for concern. However, sometimes it is necessary to go to a professional to verify that there is no major problem. Some of these occasions are as follows:

• The headache becomes very severe.
• The headache comes on very suddenly.
• Associated problems arise such as loss of balance or difficulty in speaking.

• You need to take pain relievers frequently, more than three days a week.

In these cases, going to the doctor is the best option. However,  in most cases the tension headache goes away on its own ; In addition, you can understand it as a warning from your body that you have to change some aspect of your life.