Symptoms and treatment of tension headache
Tension headache is one of the types of headache accompanied by unpleasant sensations. "Head in a vise" is the most accurate description of the condition. The main cause of episodic tension headache is stress and mental overstrain. The disease is widespread and is diagnosed in more than 60% of the population. In women, GBN (tension headache) is much more common. It is important to know how to treat a chronic tension headache.
Provocative factors:
- chronic stress and psycho-emotional overstrain;
- long-term use of analgesics and tranquilizers;
- myofascial-tonic muscle syndrome accompanied by oxygen starvation of muscles;
- depression;
- neuroses, asthenia.
Intensification of headache can be caused by strong wind, change of weather, working at night, staying in a stuffy room, mental overstrain, sedentary work.
Causes of muscle tension headaches in children: prolonged sitting, desk height mismatch, poor nutrition, mental fatigue, stuffiness, weather changes, hormonal changes.
GBN can be episodic or chronic.
Symptoms of physical muscle tension headache
The main manifestations of GBN are cramping pains, weakness, rapid fatigue, irritability. The patient may complain of insomnia, lack of appetite and inattention. Pain amplifiers will be loud noises, bright lights, combing hair and wearing a headdress.
Headache with nervous overstrain. Contributing factors are conflict situations, psychological overstrain, depression. Headaches have a wave-like nature and weaken when distracted from the traumatic situation. For example, in nature, with friends, while watching a comedy, on a trip, patients note a significant improvement in their general condition.
How to relieve tension headache symptoms? Psychotherapy sessions, massage, physiotherapy, yoga, self-training will help.
Main manifestations of muscle tension headache: dull pain in the back of the head, neck and shoulder muscle tension, pressing pain in the temples. A hot shower, physical therapy and cervical massage will help reduce pain.
Muscle tension headache in children
Adolescents are often diagnosed with GBN. Manifestations of the disease: dull pain, inattention, irritability, neck muscle tension, general weakness. In addition, patients often complain of heart pain, tachycardia and decreased appetite.
Diagnostic criteria for tension headache
In addition to the examination and history taking, the doctor will prescribe additional research methods: computer diagnostics and MRI, X-ray of the cervical part of the skull with special functional tests, rheoencephalography and ultrasound examination of the blood vessels of the head (UZDG).
Muscle tenderness is determined by palpation, and the condition of the pericranial muscles using a pressure algometer.
You will find more information on our website Dobrobut.com. If you need a follow-up examination, make an appointment for a consultation at a time convenient for you. The doctor will answer questions and tell you about the diagnostic criteria for tension headache. Registration is possible on the website and by phone.
How to get rid of a severe headache with nervous tension
Therapy depends on the form of the headache.
Treatment of episodic GBN: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam), muscle relaxants (medokalm, tizanidine), sedatives, B vitamins, nootropics. Massage, physiotherapy and acupuncture will be an effective supplement. Exercises and massage for tension headaches will have a positive effect only when performed regularly. A physical therapy doctor will help you choose a complex of physical therapy.
Treatment of chronic tension headache:
- serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Prozac, Paxil);
- tricyclic antidepressants;
- sedative drugs;
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, electrosleep);
- massage of the neck and collarbone area;
- acupuncture reflexology.
The course of drug treatment of tension headache lasts at least two months. The result of such therapy will be the normalization of psycho-vegetative activity: a decrease in the level of anxiety and emotional tension, improvement of sleep and normalization of mood.
How to get rid of a severe headache with nervous tension: folk medicine recipes will help. Massage of pain points with lemon oil, taking a decoction of thyme (sedative effect), applying golden mustache leaves to the temples will be an effective addition to the main treatment.
Prevention
Listen to the recommendations of experts that will help you avoid such a common disease as tension headache. And remember that prevention is always better than any treatment.
Doctor's advice:
- rejection of bad habits;
- full sleep and regular exercise classes;
- prophylactic intake of vitamin complexes;
- relaxation in nature;
- favorable environment at home and at work.
Focus on the positives no matter what happens.
If you still have questions and need the help of a specialist, make an appointment for a consultation. The doctor will answer all questions and tell about the initial signs of a headache caused by physical muscle tension. Registration by phone and on the website.
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