Solving the Mystery of Your Tension Headache

We live in a world wrought with tension, and unfortunately that stress often culminates into health problems. One of the most common results of this stress is the tension headache, a headache of moderate pain that causes the head to feel like a tight band is being pulled around it. If you know this feeling well, there are steps you can take to alleviate your pain in the future.

How Do You Know You Have a Tension Headache?

You can differentiate your tension headache from other types of head pain because tension headaches cause a dull, aching head pain that is accompanied by a sensation of tight pressure across the forehead or sides and back of the head. Some people also experience tension headaches with extra neck, scalp, and shoulder tenderness.

You might experience tension headaches just a few times a month, which would make them episodic, or they might occur at least 15 days each month for hours at a time, which means they are chronic. Long-lasting tension headaches are very similar to migraines, but they do not cause visual problems and vomiting like migraines often do.

The Best Ways to Alleviate Your Tension Headache

Medicine is not always the best way to immediately treat a tension headache. It is important to address the root cause of your headache in order to achieve long-lasting relief.  First, drink at least half a liter of water and wait about an hour to see if your headache was a result of dehydration. If that doesn’t work, you can try taking a shower, resting in a quiet room, and draping a cool cloth over your forehead.

If your tension headaches are starting to interfere with your daily activities and diminish your quality of life, call Kavita Rao M.D., Gulf Coast Internist in St. Petersburg, Florida. Dr. Rao will use her expertise to determine the root causes of your chronic condition. It could be that you grind your teeth and clench your jaw at night, slouch too much at work, or eat foods that cause negative reactions in your body. Once you can identify the cause of your headaches with Dr. Rao’s help, you can get your life and health back on track. Call (727) 525-0900 to make your appointment today.