| What is a Tension Headache: Tension Headaches are | | | | during exercise. |
| the most common type of headaches. Nearly | | | | Symptoms of Migraine Headaches: Migraines are |
| everyone will have at least one tension headache in | | | | characterized by attacks of moderate or severe pain, |
| their lifetime. | | | | and persons suffering from migraine typically have |
| What is a Migraine Headache: Migraine headaches are | | | | symptoms such as, moderate to severe pain on one |
| a form of headache, usually very intense and | | | | or both sides of the head which may throb or pulse, |
| disabling. It is a neurologic disease of neuronal origin. | | | | nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia, or |
| The word "migraine" comes from the Greek word | | | | pain that worsens with movement. |
| 'hemikranion' which means (pain affecting one side of | | | | Tension Headache Treatment: Tension Headaches |
| the head). | | | | generally respond well to over-the-counter pain killers, |
| What causes Tension Headache: The exact cause of | | | | such as tylenol or aspirin. However, these medications |
| tension headaches is still unknown. It has long been | | | | should be avoided in cases of chronic tension |
| believed that they are caused by muscle tension | | | | headache, due to the risk of rebound headaches. |
| around the head and neck. However although muscle | | | | Migraine Headache Treatment: Migraine Headaches |
| tension may be involved, there are many forms of | | | | can be reduced through dietary changes to avoid |
| tension headaches and some scientists now believe | | | | certain chemicals present in such foods as cheese, |
| there is not one single cause for this type of | | | | chocolate, nuts and alcoholic beverages. Medication |
| headache. One of the theories is that the pain may | | | | prescribed, may be the best treatment once a |
| be caused by a malfunctioning pain filter which is | | | | migraine begins. |
| located in the brain stem. The view is that the brain | | | | Tension Headache Prevention: Tension Headaches |
| misinterprets information, for example from the | | | | may be avoided with such therapies as: swimming, |
| temporal muscle or other muscles, and interprets this | | | | massage, heat pillows, or other relaxation techniques. |
| signal as pain. One of the main molecules which is | | | | Removing things that cause stress or muscle tension, |
| probably involved is serotonin. Evidence for this | | | | can lessen the frequency of tension headaches. |
| theory comes from the fact that tension headaches | | | | Migraine Headache Prevention: Migraine Headaches |
| may be successfully treated with certain | | | | can be avoided in some people by eliminating the |
| antidepressants. Another theory says that the main | | | | triggers such as certain foods, again, cheese, |
| cause for tension type headaches and migraine is | | | | chocolate, nuts and most alcoholic beverages. Some |
| teeth clenching which causes a chronic contraction of | | | | triggers for example, hunger and stress may be |
| the temporalis muscle. | | | | situational and can be avoided through lifestyle |
| What causes Migraine Headaches: Migraines can be | | | | changes. Avoid bright flashing lights if you notice |
| caused by one or a variety of triggers, including | | | | these trigger attacks; most migraineurs are sensitive |
| environmental or food etc. Here is just a partial list of | | | | and should avoid bright or flickering lights. Relaxation |
| Migraine Causes. Physical triggers: Over exertion or | | | | after stress, notably weekends and holidays, is a |
| exhaustion, Changes in sleep patterns or routines. | | | | potent trigger; wind down gradually if possible. |
| Environmental triggers: Strong smells, Smoky | | | | There is a website that provides cures, facts and |
| atmospheres. Psychological triggers: Emotional | | | | great information on Headache - Tension Headache - |
| problems, Excitement. Food triggers: Alcohol, | | | | Migraine Headache and numerous other medical |
| (especially red whine), Caffeine, Chocolate. | | | | conditions, the website is called: All About Health, and |
| Symptoms of Tension Headache: Tension headache | | | | can be found at this url: |
| pain is often described as a constant pressure, as if | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| the head were being squeezed in a vice. The pain is | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, |
| frequently bilateral which means it is present on both | | | | or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its |
| sides of the head at once. Tension headache pain is | | | | entirety and without modification except for |
| typically mild to moderate, but may be severe. In | | | | formatting needs or grammar corrections. |
| contrast to migraine, the pain does not increase | | | | |