What is tension headache and how can it be treated?

A headache can completely stop a person’s day. This nervous system disorder is one of the most common and frequent among the population, but it varies in its intensity and in the causes that cause it.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2015 alone it was estimated that half of the population had ever experienced a headache, a condition that has no distinction of age, race or income level.

Although they can usually pass in a matter of minutes, There are those who suffer from chronic headaches, which often disable them and hinder their performance in daily tasks.

The Navarra University Clinic indicates that there are two types of headaches, classified according to their origins: primary and secondary, whose main difference is that the latter are due to a basic health condition, such as an infection.

The Navarra University Clinic indicates that there are two types of headaches, classified according to their origin: primary and secondary, whose main difference is that the latter are due to a basic health condition, such as an infection, for example. – Foto: Getty Images

What is tension headache?

Within the group of primary headaches, those that are not caused by a different disease or health problem, migraines, tension headache, cluster headache, chronic daily headache and trigeminal neuralgia are listed, as mentioned by the Clinic University of Navarra.

Specific, Tension headache is the most common type of primary headache, as pointed out by the World Health Organization, and is characterized by the way the pain is presented.

The National Library of Medicine of the United States, Medline Plus, indicates that this discomfort is generally caused by muscle tension or contraction, especially in the neck and scalp area, which can be the result of some emotional factor such as stress or head trauma.

This discomfort may be accompanied by other symptoms such as a feeling of pressure or tightness in the forehead, sides, or back of the head. Pain or tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles may also occur, explains the Mayo Clinic.

Although anyone is susceptible to this condition, the World Health Organization explains that tension headaches tend to occur more frequently in women.

Can it be improved at home?

Experts say that it is possible to treat tension headaches at home. But before sharing some recommendations given by professionals, it is necessary to remember that in no way the tips given here replace proper medical treatment.

According to the United States National Library of Medicine, One practice that can help relieve headaches is taking a bath, either hot or cold. According to the entity, this is beneficial for some people.

A variable to the bathroom is to moisten a cloth or towel with cold water and put it on the head, while resting.

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From Mayo Clinic they agree that it is necessary for the person to have moments of relaxation during the day, in which they can be calm. A good exercise in this regard is deep breathing.

For it, it is advisable to sit in a place free from distractions and imagine that you are in a quiet space, such as the forest. The key to the exercise is in the breath, so the person must inhale and exhale slowly, for at least 10 minutes, while imagining himself in that space.

Likewise, there are some over-the-counter medications to relieve headaches, but it is suggested to take only those that have been previously prescribed by your GP. Likewise, it is essential to keep a record of these discomforts to report them at the next check-up and assess whether they may be due to another health condition.

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