Posted by Enas Al-Banna
Saturday, May 20, 2023 02:00 AM
Sometimes stress seems to be the new normal, and more stress in your life can lead to changes in your health. Headaches, in particular, are often caused by increased stress levels, but while “tension headache” might be a good description, of what’s going on in your body, but it’s not a completely accurate diagnosis.
Here’s what you need to know about tension headaches and how to help relieve the pain. health“
What is a “stress” headache?
Tension headaches are defined by the absence of the features of a migraine, so they tend to appear on both sides of the head, and feel pressure pain, without the usual migraine accompanying nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and made worse by the head.
It will be a normal pressure type at the front of your head, a type of headache of mild to moderate intensity“
according to a database MedlinePlus According to the US National Library of Medicine, tension headache is the most common type of headache and is described as pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, often associated with muscle tightness.
--Tension headaches affect approximately 70% of people, and can last from 30 minutes to 72 hours. In order to properly diagnose a tension headache, you must have a history of tension headaches. To make the diagnosis, you must have at least 10 bouts of [الصداع]“.
Stress, of course, plays a major role in triggering tension headaches, and although the exact mechanisms are not clear, it is hypothesized that when people experience stress, physiological changes occur in the body.”
From increasing cortisol levels and speeding up our fight-or-flight response, leading to migraines or tension headaches, apart from stress, there are other triggers for tension headaches, which may include: alcohol abuse, caffeine, illnesses (colds, flu, etc.), dental problems, eye strain, excessive smoking, and tiredness or exhaustion .
How do you treat headaches caused by “stress”?
Depending on the severity and duration of your tension headache, it can go away on its own by simply taking a break from whatever activity is causing you stress. Lying down, meditating, doing some light yoga, or other forms of self-care are great options..
However, if the pain is really bothersome, most cases of tension headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen, but beware of repeat medications on your own without going to a doctor.
when to see a doctor
Some other warning signs to watch out for, include: “a headache that is constantly getting worse or getting more frequent over time, accompanied by any neurological conditions such as double vision, numbness, tingling, paralysis, or loss of vision, or accompanied by a fever.”“.
