Some people describetension headachepain as a band tightening around their heads.
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1.
Heat promotes blood flow and can help relax tense muscles.
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Cold helps reduce inflammation and can provide a numbing effect to easetension headache pain.
If you don’t have anice pack, fill a plastic bag with ice water or use frozen peas.
Be careful when applying ice packs directly to the skin; wrap them in a towel or cloth first.
A hot or cold shower or bath and resting in a comfortable, dark place can also help.
Locate areas of tightness and apply pressure, making small circles with thumbs, index, or middle fingers.
For tension headaches, emphasize the temples, base of the skull, jaw muscles, and neck.
To prevent this from occurring, maintainproper posturewith your shoulders down and neck and back straight.
Not getting enough physical activity raises headache rates and severity.
Boosting moderate-intensity exercise can reduce headache intensity and frequency.
In those with chronic tension headaches, not enough sleep worsens pain.
Getting the sleep you needseven to nine hours a night for adultscan be crucial in managing tension headaches.
Steps to promote good sleep include:
6.
Increase Fluids
Dehydration and what you drink can also influence headache activity.
Boosting water intake helps prevent tension headaches.
In addition, ginger tea may ease headache pain, with studies supporting its efficacy formigraine headaches.
However, too much can be a trigger in some people.
Stretch
Since tight muscles cause tension headaches, certain stretches can help ease tension and prevent headaches.
Stretching is especially important if you drive, sit, or stand for long periods.
In these cases, take stretch breaks every one to two hours.
Stretching for tension headaches typically involves focusing on the neck, shoulders, and back.
Some lifestyle choices to prioritize include:
9.
Several strategies may help:
10.
Use OTC Pain Relievers
There are a range of over-the-counter (OTC) medications to helpmanage headache pain.
But sometimes, headaches can signify a more serious issue and require medical attention.
Stress typically triggers them, and they can last from 30 minutes to seven days.
Techniques to ease symptoms include applying compresses, self-massage, and over-the-counter medications.
Lifestyle changes and managing stress are among the ways to prevent this common issue.
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