Muscle Contraction Headaches

All of us suffer from minor health problems at some point of time in our lives. Though most of these maladies do not cause much damage to our physical health or work, there is an ailment which is dreaded by many - headaches. A headache is one such malady, which when sets in removes out all the desire to work or do anything else. The only desire is to lie down calmly without any disturbance till the headache subsides. One of the most distressing headaches are considered to be the headache caused due to muscle contraction, which are also known as tension headaches. There are two types of muscle contraction headaches - episodic and chronic. In episodic headaches, the individual may suffer from headaches which may last up to half an hour and may be infrequent. On the other hand, chronic or constant headaches are the severe kind of headaches which may be quite frequent, and occur till 15 days in a month. It has also been proved in a study that depression and headache are connected, with one of the primary symptoms of depression being headache.

Causes of Muscle Contraction Headaches

There are several reasons for getting a headache which may range from the minor cause in the form of a common cold to the headache caused due to sinus infections or sinusitis. Though tension headaches can affect individuals of almost all age groups, it is more commonly observed in adolescents and adults. Given here are some of the reasons why some people may suffer from continuous headaches.

• One of the most common reasons for this kind of headache is stress. Due to stress or anxiety symptoms, the muscles in the scalp and neck region get tensed and become tight. This tightening of the muscles can apply pressure to the nerves which in turn may trigger headaches.
• Excessive intake of alcohol or smoking release toxins in the body. These toxins play havoc in the body system and can also be one of the cause for tension headaches.
• Sinus infections can lead to migraines which can last for several days, inhibiting the person's movements. Suffering from chronic cold or flu can also cause sinus headache to occur.
• Caffeine addiction can cause chemical imbalances in the brain. Over-straining the eyes can affect the ocular nerves in the brain triggering throbbing pain in the head.

Symptoms of Tension Headaches

There are different types of headaches, that display almost the similar symptoms. A few of the signs and symptoms of this annoying disorder.

• The earliest symptom to be observed is throbbing pain around the temples, which may radiate to the entire head till the neck.
• A pounding pressure can be felt as if someone is hammering inside your head.
• Since the pain may radiate to the shoulder sometimes, a feeling of soreness can be felt along the shoulder blades.
• Fatigue, loss of appetite, mood swings, irritability are some other symptoms that can be noticed in individuals suffering from persistent headaches.

Treating Muscle Contraction Headache

Chronic headaches can be very distressing as they are not only painful, paralyzing (not literally) the person, but they also cause a hindrance to the routine life. Hence it is essential to treat this condition in its initial stages to prevent it from becoming intense.

• It is always advisable to consult a health care provider instead of self medication when you have an excruciating headache. The doctor may perform some diagnostic tests to check for the exact cause of headache. A CT or an MRI scan may also be required.
• The doctor may prescribe analgesics like acetaminophen or aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antidepressants to relieve the symptoms of headaches.
• Regular monitoring and change in the medication doses can bring this distressing headache under control and finally relieve it. Any changes in the degree of pain must also be reported to the physician, so that he can treat you accordingly.
• There are also several natural remedies for headaches that can help control the throbbing pain at home. You can also massage the sore muscles to help you get relief. Changing positions while sleeping can also help ease the discomfort caused due to muscle contraction headaches.

It is necessary to balance between non medicinal remedies and medications to keep a check on tension headaches. A routine check up will also control the severity of this health disorder. Stay healthy and take care!