Tension Headache

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Tension headaches are a very common type of head pain. They are most often caused by stress, eye strain, or muscle tightness. The pain of a tension headache may start in the forehead or the back of the head. The pain often spreads over the whole head, and down into the neck and shoulders. Over-the-counter pain medicine is the most useful and common treatment for a tension headache. Exercise, biofeedback, meditation, or relaxation techniques may also decrease your headache pain.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects.

When is my next doctor's appointment?

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

How can I prevent or treat my tension headaches?

• Medicines: Over-the-counter medicines, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen) or ibuprofen (eye-bu-PROH-fen), often help headaches. Take pain medicine as soon as possible after your headache starts. Some medicines may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Take the medicine as directed on the label, unless told to do otherwise by your caregiver. Taking too much medicine can cause serious health problems.
  
  
• Apply heat or cold:
  
  
  • Heat or cold applied to the headache area may ease your pain. Heat often helps muscle pain and tension elsewhere in the body as well. Use a heating pad (turned on low), a hot water bottle, or warm shower. Do not sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle. This can cause a bad burn.
    
    
  • Cold packs may decrease your headache pain. Put ice in a plastic bag and cover it with a towel. Place this over the painful area for 20 minutes out of every hour, for as long as you need it. Do not put the ice pack directly on the skin because you can get frostbite.
  
  
• Avoid headache triggers: Things that cause tension headaches are different from person to person. Some things that may trigger (start) tension headaches include:
  
  
  • Squinting or trying hard to see (eye strain). Make sure you have good lighting when you read or perform tasks. Have an eye exam if you think you are having problems with your vision.
    
    
  • Holding your head in one position for too long, like when you read or work at a computer.
    
    
  • Not getting enough sleep.
    
    
  • Skipping meals or going too long without eating.
    
    
  • Certain foods may cause a headache if you are sensitive or allergic to them. For example, gluten (a protein found in wheat and other grains) may cause headaches in some people. A headache diary can help you find out if certain foods cause your headaches.
  
  
• Keep a headache diary: Use a diary or calendar to keep track of your headaches. Write down when your headaches start and stop, what you were doing when they started, and your symptoms. Record anything you ate or drank during the 24 hours before the headaches. Describe how the pain feels, where it is, and how bad it is. Keep track of the things you did to help your headaches and when you did them. Make a note of whether these things helped your symptoms or not. This record will help you learn what may trigger your headaches and what helps them the most.
  
  
• Live a healthy lifestyle: Having healthy habits can help you deal with stress and decrease your chance of headaches or illness. Some ways to live a healthy lifestyle include eating a variety of healthy foods, and exercising regularly. Do not smoke and avoid the smoke of others. Avoid alcohol, which can cause headaches.
  
  
• Relax your muscles: Muscle tightness, especially in the shoulders and the neck, can start a headache. Avoid sitting still for too long when doing things like reading, sewing, or working at a computer. If you wake up with sore neck and shoulder muscles, you may need to use a different pillow. Ask your caregiver for more information about massage and muscle relaxation exercises that may help you.
  
  
• Stress and rest: Stress is the most common cause of many types of headaches. Avoid or control stress as much as you can. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing, meditation (med-i-TAY-shun), relaxing your muscles, music, or biofeedback. Ask your caregiver for more information about any of these. Talk to someone about things that upset you. Not getting enough sleep can cause tension headaches. Get plenty of rest. During a headache, rest in a dark, quiet room.

For more information:

• National Headache Foundation
  820 N. Orleans, Suite 217
  Chicago, IL 60610
  Phone: 1-888-NHF-5552
  Web Address: http://www.headaches.org
  

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  P.O. Box 5801
  Bethesda, MD 20824
  Phone: 1-800-352-9424
  Web Address: http://www.ninds.nih.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your headaches get worse over weeks or months.
  
  
• Your headaches happen so often that they affect your ability to do your work or normal activities.
  
  
• You need to take medicine to help your headaches more than your caregiver says you should.
  
  
• Your headaches get so bad that they cause you to vomit (throw up).

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a headache that happens suddenly and seems different or much worse than your usual headaches.
  
  
• You have new problems with talking, seeing, balance, or movement.
  
  
• You lose consciousness (pass out), become confused, or have a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• You also have a stiff neck and a fever with your headache.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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