It's 6:00 p.m. You've just left work and all you can think about is how much you have to do when you return tomorrow. And before you can get home to try and relax, you have to fight bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Often, a stressful day like this goes hand-in-hand with a headache. But not all headaches are caused by stress.
Learn what could be causing your headaches and the best way to head off the pain.
Tension headaches
Symptoms: Mild to moderate aching pain on both sides of your head. You may also feel tightness in your neck, shoulders, face, and scalp.
Why you hurt: Occasional tension headaches are often related to stress, anxiety or frustration. When you're under stress, the muscles in your face, neck, and jaw contract, sometimes resulting in a headache. In other cases, poor posture such as hunching over at your desk or computer may cause muscle tension that leads to a headache. Daily or chronic tension headaches may be related to a chronic state of anxiety or depression.
What you can do: For occasional tension headaches, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen usually does the trick. Be careful to follow the label instructions, and consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Exercise, relaxation techniques, massage, and warm compresses may also ease the pain. If you have chronic tension headaches, consult your doctor for evaluation and treatment options.
Eyestrain headaches
Symptoms: Mild pain in your forehead.
Why you hurt: Straining your eyes may cause muscle contractions that result in a headache.
What you can do: Read in a well-lit area and have your eyes examined regularly. Sometimes, eyestrain signals a need for glasses or a new prescription. If you work at a computer for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to rest your eyes. Look away from the computer and focus on something more than 6 feet away every 10 to 20 minutes. Adjust your monitor so that it's about one arm's length in front of you. If necessary, increase the font size for easier reading.
Migraine headaches
Symptoms: Throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head that worsens with activity. The headache may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as well as sensitivity to light and sound. The pain may last from four to 72 hours. You may have a warning or "aura" that a headache is coming, during which you see wavy lines or bright lights or have a blind spot. You may also experience emotional changes, such as depression, several hours or days before the headache strikes.
Why you hurt: Migraines are caused by an initial constriction of blood vessels in the head, followed by a dilation of these blood vessels. Migraines are more common in women, and they tend to run in the family. For some people, various substances can trigger migraines, including chocolate, aged cheeses, alcohol, citrus fruits, monosodium glutamate (often found in Chinese food), nuts, sulfites, and nitrates (commonly found in hot dogs and lunch meats). Many other factors -- including hormonal fluctuations, stress, and a change in sleep patterns can also trigger migraines.
What you can do: As much as possible, avoid anything that triggers your migraines. If you're not sure of your triggers, keep a headache diary. Jot down a list of factors or circumstances about each particular headache and look for patterns or specific triggers. Taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin may relieve some of the pain. Again, be careful to follow the label instructions, and consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. When over-the-counter pain relievers aren't effective, prescription medications may help prevent an oncoming migraine or cut it short. Consult your doctor for help. A technique called biofeedback -- the process of voluntarily controlling bodily functions, such as blood pressure, muscle tension, or heart rate, to improve health and performance -- may be beneficial as well.
Cluster headaches
Symptoms: Episodes of intense, steady pain, often behind one eye. Sometimes the pain is felt above the eye or near the temple. Cluster headaches may be accompanied by symptoms such as tearing, reddening of the eye, drooping or swelling of the eyelid, constriction of the pupil, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, and facial sweating. These symptoms appear on the same side as the headache. Restlessness is also common during a cluster headache, typically lasting from 15 minutes to three hours.
Why you hurt: Although there's no known cause, cluster headaches can be triggered by alcohol, nitrates, and certain stages of sleep during a cluster episode. Cluster headaches may occur at exactly the same time every day for weeks or months, and then not return for months or even years. They may also be seasonal, often striking during spring and autumn. Cluster headaches are most common among men in their 20s to 50s.
What you can do: Generally, prescription medications are needed to prevent a cluster headache or stop one that's in progress. If you're experiencing cluster headaches, consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Take headaches seriously
Nearly everyone experiences headaches at some point. Although most headaches aren't serious, it's important to be cautious. Seek medical attention if you develop:
a sudden or intense headache
a headache that begins during exertion, such as exercise or sex
a headache associated with fever, stiff neck, rash, or other neurological symptoms
headaches that become progressively more severe
a significant change in a previous headache pattern
headaches that don't respond to treatment
