The name “tension headache” immediately implies the cause for this malady that affects millions of people every day. People who suffer from these types of headaches describe them as tightness in their head or neck muscles-almost like someone is pulling on them. These types of headaches often have a gradual onset unlike other possibly more severe headaches like the migraine.

Stress Happens

As we go through our daily activities we experience tension regarding situations at work, at home, and other scenarios. This is when a tension headache is most likely to occur-as the pressure in our lives builds, so does the tendency to build tension and therefore, we may get a headache.

Facts about tension headaches

• They are the most common type of headache
• Occur more in women (90%) than men (70%)
• Most common in 30 ??” 39 year olds
• Usually develop in the morning and get worse as the day goes on
• Often described as a tight band around the head
• Can also cause pain at the bottom of your skull and the back of your neck

The tension headache attack is usually more gradual than migraine headache and the duration of the pain may range from hours to even years. Sometimes, a migraine headache may even evolve into a tension headache, as both conditions are quite similar and are cause by similar influence such as stress. More often, a sufferer will feel pain almost every day without a break, although the intensity may vary.

Treatments for Tension Headache

Many of you experience from bad headaches but probably do not realize that there are many different types of headaches. However, a clear understanding of the type of headache you are having can help you find an appropriate treatment method. One such type of headache is known as tension headaches.

A tension headache typically lasts for between 4 and 6 hours. When you get a tension headache, you feel a pressure on your head as if it is being squeezed at your temples. In many instances, both sides of the head are affected at the same time. Doctors do not know the exact cause of tension headaches; but is believed that tension in your neck, head, and shoulder muscles have something to do with it.

Treatments for tension headache usually involve OTC drugs called analgesics. Two examples of analgesics are ibuprofen and aspirin. These treatments for tension headaches will usually numb your pain sensations.

At one time or another we all feel anxious over family obligations, work, health issues or other problems in our everyday lives. However, if anxiety affects your life in ways you cannot control and lasts for more than six months, you may be experiencing anxiety disorder. Learning more about this disorder and about the different ways to alleviate the symptoms will help you get back to leading a healthy, productive life.

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorder is a condition in which the person worries excessively about one or many aspects of their life. Their worry and concern becomes so overwhelming that it begins to interfere with their work, relationships and family life. About 3 percent of the population experiences anxiety disorder and twice as many women as men are affected by it. It generally begins before the age of 24, but people of all ages can develop this disorder.

People who experience anxiety disorder are very prone to having panic attacks. Panic attacks occur when a person becomes so overly anxious that they begin to lose control. Symptoms of a panic attack are hyperventilating, racing heart, dizziness, shaking, chest pain or tightening, and an irregular heartbeat. People who experience panic attacks compare it to a heart attack. After the panic attack, people with anxiety disorder generally display behavioral changes such as becoming withdrawn, emotional, crying or difficult to calm down.

While doctors aren’t sure of all of the causes of anxiety disorder, they do know that it typically occurs in people with a history of depression, having one or more phobias, alcoholism and drug use. It is also known to be genetically passed down among family members. People who have had a terrifying or traumatic experience in their life are also susceptible to having anxiety disorder. The good news is people with anxiety disorder can live a healthy, normal life with the right treatment, including natural remedies.

7 Natural Anxiety Treatments

St John’s wort - For those who suffer from depression, which is a symptom of anxiety disorder, St. John’s wort can help enhance mood and alleviate depression and anxiety. This herb is not recommended for people who are taking prescription antidepressants, MOA inhibitors or who drink alcohol on a regular basis. St. John’s wort comes in capsule form, extract, or can be made into a tea.

Passion Flower-This herb works like a sedative for calming sleeplessness and anxiety. One study of Passion Flower found it to be comparable to benzodiazepine drugs which are prescribed for insomnia, panic disorder and anxiety. This herb comes in capsules, tincture and liquid extract or as a dried herb that can be steeped and made into tea. If you are taking an antidepressant or MAO inhibitor you should not use this herb.

Valerian -This herb is beneficial for restlessness, sleeplessness, muscle spasms and tension, all symptoms of anxiety disorder. Europeans use this herb as a sedative. It is available in capsule form, tablets, tincture and as a tea. Recommended doses of this herb must be followed to prevent overdose or dangerous side-effects. People who drink alcohol or have liver disease should not take this herb.

Mugwort - Mugwort is a multi-use herb and is effective for anxiety, restlessness, depression, muscle spasms, insomnia, and headaches. This herb is safe with most prescriptions and has very few side-effects, although pregnant women or those who suffer from hay fever should not use this herb. Mugwort comes in capsules, extract and tincture form and the dried leaves can be made into a tea.

Vitamins and Minerals to Soothe Anxiety

B-Complex Vitamin-The body needs the recommended daily amount of B vitamins for a healthy nervous system. Eating foods rich in B vitamins or taking a B-Complex vitamin daily helps to soothe nerves and muscles and relieve stress.

Magnesium-This mineral is important for calming and relaxing muscles and nerves and can help you have a good night’s sleep. The proper amount of magnesium in your body can actually help to make you feel less stressed and anxious. The recommended allowance of magnesium per day for adults is between 300 and 400 milligrams. There are supplements available if you cannot get enough of this mineral through the foods you eat.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids-This essential fatty acid not only helps regulate the heart and circulatory system but also helps to alleviate depression caused by stress. Salmon, leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds are foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and supplements are also available.

Migraine usually affects people 18 and older. It tends to recur periodi­cally but what really causes migraines is not well under­stood. The attack lasts couple of hours to several days and has a tendency to relapse. Even after the pain is gone, mild sensation could lasts for weeks. In some cases, attacks can dis­appear for weeks, months, or even years. All drugs are dangerous. Before a person suffering with a migraine headache takes an over-the-counter medication they should be asking the question “Is the possible benefit worth the risk of taking that drug?” William Osler, M.D. once said “The person who takes medicine must recover twice; once from the disease and once from the medicine.” Sadly, this can be all too true.

Migraine Relief

The most common over the counter and prescription drugs used to treat both tension headaches as well as migraine headaches are aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol is the best example), ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil are commonly known ibuprofen brands,) or naproxen. Three other pharmaceutical products that have had limited success in the treatment of migraines are primarily prescription medications. These migraine treatments include ergotamine tartrate, and sumatriptan. The third, extra-strength Excedrin is, of course, available over the counter. Excedrin includes caffeine. Caffeine has shown to be of considerable help with both tension headaches as well as migraines.

Types of Migraines

Various types of migraine are abdominal, basilar, complicated, hemiplegic, nocturnal, and cyclic migraine syndrome.

Abdominal migraine is also known as periodic syndrome which is common among children. It typically occurs to those have it in their heredity and this type may lead to a classic migraine.

Basilar migraine, also called Bickerstaff’s syndrome, typically affects adolescent women. This occurs when migraine obstructs the circulation the back part of the neck or brain.

Hemiplegic migraine is the rarest among all types but one of the most severe. Its symptoms include temporary paralysis of the motor function and obstructions in the sensory system on a certain side of the body.

Migraine Prevention

Migraine headaches are a destructive part of life for nearly 11 out of 100 people. During migraine episodes, they can barely function. They curtail daily activities, and all of life seems distorted. Between episodes, they may feel anxious about the next one, and wish for some form of migraine prevention. Although migraines seem to run in families, migraine prevention does not always run in the same course. For some migraineurs, prevention is as simple as changing a few habits. For others, migraine prevention seems to require strong medication.