Chronic Tension Headaches – A Quick Read
Monday, August 31st, 2009Chronic tension headaches can be a potentially debilitating condition that seriously deprives the patient of life enjoyment. Daily activities can be painfully interrupted by the sudden occurence of a tension headache. Chronic tension headache can easily lead to depression and a general pain crisis. It is important that chronic tension headaches be treated as soon as possible. Fortunately, the medical community has a great deal of experience with the phenomenon of headache, and has several avenues of treatment available for sufferers. In fact, the medical community has researched headache thoroughly, and has divided the phenomenon into three distinct categories.
The majority of headaches suffered are put into what is known as the primary category. A primary headache is frequently brought on by emotional or physical stress, and is the most common form of headache by far. Primary headaches are almost never life threatening, but they can bring serious pain with them. This pain can impair enjoyment of daily activities, making even basic functioning difficult. Although the exact causes remain something of a mystery, it is widely held that the symptoms can be traced to a tightening of muscles around the skull. This tightening can be initially identified as a band like feeling just above the eyes that gradually grows into a painful sensation.
Cluster and secondary headaches occur on a far less frequent basis, but are much more serious. To treat this kind of headache, the attention of a specialist is most likely required. Cluster headaches are easily identified by the pain level that they induce. Patients frequently describe cluster headaches as an icepick sensation behind one or both eyes. Treatment includes powerful sedatives and pain medications. Secondary headaches usually indicate some other issue that is at work.
Chronic tension headaches should be treated with an eye toward stress management. Physical and emotional stress can be a significant source of chronic tension headaches. Circumstances that trigger significant emotional stress can prompt the occurence of chronic tension headaches. Prolonged physical stress can also be tied directly to chronic tension headaches. Steps to manage both kinds of stress are necessary to bring the problem under control. If these steps do not succeed, then further treatment with more powerful pain medications may be necessary. Chronic tension headaches that occur on a regular basis should be a signal to see a doctor.
