tension headache symptoms
Read and learn more about tension headache symptoms. For more, visit the Migraine Headache website MyBrainPain.com
Q: What are symptoms of a tension headache?
I have been getting headaches for the past 2 days off an on. I have pressure in my neck and knots in my upper neck. It feels like a brain freeze its like that ache but stays with me, but not as severe as a brain freeze. I will get it on my right side, or my left and it will progress to the front of my head, it gets worse when i lay down because i can dwell on it. Let me know.
A: Yup that sounds like a stress or tension headache
here’s some ideas on how to treat it
http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/tc/tension-headaches-treatment-overview
Q: Besides medications, what else can i do to help alleviate the symptoms of a Migraine / Tension Headache?
I have migraines and also tension headaches at times. I was wondering if there is anything I can do in addition taking medications to help with the pain and symptoms.
A: For general headaches, if you can hold down water without vomiting you should drink water to help with any dehydration, lay in a dark cool but not cold room and rest.
You can put either a cold or warm cloth on your eyes and face — some people are helped by cold and some by heat so you have to try to see which works for you.
For migraines there are quite a few foods that can be triggers, such as chocolate, red wine, aged cheeses, MSG, and many more that you should avoid. There are many lists on the web of such foods and you can pay attention to see which foods set you off. When you feel the beginning of one coming on you can drink some coffee or coca-cola. Migraine headaches are caused by the sudden widening of blood vessels, so drinking something caffeinated helps to constrict the vessels a bit, thereby lessening the pain. However, drinking too much caffeine can also trigger a migraine.
In the case of migraines, you should also lay in a dark, cool room [but not cold] and rest.
Q: Tension headache symptoms?
A: In general, a tension-type headache may cause diffuse (spread out, not in one place) pressure or tightness. Sometimes, muscles surrounding the head are tender.
The pain may be on both sides of the head, or it may cause an aching or squeezing sensation located in the forehead, temples, or back of the head with radiation to the neck and shoulders. Pain is usually moderate in intensity, not severely disabling, and not associated with the typical symptoms of migraine, such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to sound or light.
The onset of pain is usually gradual and not associated with any prodrome or period in which a person can feel a headache coming on.
People may associate the onset of a tension-type headache to periods during or after stress and usually toward the latter part of the day.
If the tension-type headache is present for more than 15 days a month or longer than 6 months, it is considered chronic rather than episodic.
Q: I have Hayfever and was wondering if a bad tension headache and sore throat can be symptoms of this?
I have also been feeling really sleepy and worn out and have also been quite light headed.
I am anaemic but am taking tablets for that so don’t know what else it could be?
Please help I’m really paranoid!
A: yes also sneezing itchy eyes and running nose
Q: Where do you usually feel pain when you have a tension headache?
I feel good but for a couple of days Ive been feeling like I have pressure on my neck, back, and shoulders. ( and a little bit in the back of my head) Its not a severe pain. And my left temple has been having a dull pain. I sleep great and like I said I feel ok. I feel some pressure on the top of my head. Is it a tension headache? What other symptoms go along with a tension heaache? And what relief can I give myself? Thanks!!!
One more thing, can tension headaches occur everyday? Ive had mine for 2 days. Not continuously, but its like I notice it sometimes then I dont. Is that common?
A: In general, a tension-type headache may cause diffuse (spread out, not in one place) pressure or tightness. Sometimes, muscles surrounding the head are tender. The pain may be on both sides of the head, or it may cause an aching or squeezing sensation located in the forehead, temples, or back of the head with radiation to the neck and shoulders. Pain is usually moderate in intensity, not severely disabling, and not associated with the typical symptoms of migraine, such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to sound or light.
Doctors will suggest over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and other NSAIDs. These provide relief for most people with tension-type headache. Frequent use of medications to treat symptoms of headache may actually cause episodic tension-type headache to become chronic in nature.
If you want a home remedy for headache use Chamomile Tea, it helps relaxing the muscles and a good aid for sleeping.
Q: I can see perfectly with my eye glasses but I get tension-headache like symptoms along with eye aches?
has anyone experienced this? some background info: I’ve wore glasses for 3 years now and at one point they broke so I didn’t wear them for 8 months, and when I wore them again they started giving me headaches and eye aches with normal use. I got my eyes examined again and used two similar prescriptions and still I am getting these headaches that specifically feel like someone strapped two cement block to the side of my head with a belt (the ache). Even through this whole fiasco, I can still see perfectly clear, but with horrible headaches within 5 minutes of usage.
I have used these prescriptions glasses in two different frames in the past 2 years, when i first got them there was no problem, now when i wear them it doesn’t matter which frame, I still have the headache, i was tested by an ophthalmologist and optometrist twice, which is why i i can see perfectly clear through the lenses, but i still have headaches and eye pains.
I just wore them a sec ago, i have mostly pressure on my forehead and the upper back of my eyeballs have that same feeling of pressure on them too?, thank you all for your answers
A: Tell your eye doctor. It sounds like your Rx is too strong. Over plussed. This can happen when the doc relies on the machine and doesn’t make proper adjustments.
Q: Tension Headache???????What are the symptoms ?? What are some causes???
A: I had these before. Usually when the doctor presses some pressure points in your back and neck, it releives the pain temporarily, that is considered to be tension headache.
It can be a number of things that trigger them, stress is the main thing, there could be something you are worrying about like exam results, health results or just depression. It’s not easy to pinpoint the cause but a slight change in your daily routine to make things easier may help.
Try to spend some time relaxing, take a bath, get a massage, go to the gym or go for a walk..
Q: What are the symptoms of tension headaches? Is it normal to have one for more than 8 weeks?
A: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000797.htm
Q: Is it a tension headache?
I looked up the symptoms of a tension headache and i found that tension headaches cause pain in the head and the neck but are not as severe as migraines.
I have an annoying pain in my left temple. I can feel the artery in my left temple pulsating really hard, while my right temple feels perfectly fine. I was told that i have a tension headache, but i don’t have any pain in my neck or head. The pain is just in my left temple.
I’ve been getting these (tension headaches?) about 1-3 in 2 weeks.
What is this?
A: Unfortunately, tension headaches can be as precise as what you’ve described.
If you don’t want to get a prescription for it, I would suggest getting a book on myofascial pain disorders and trigger point therapy.
Q: Does anyone know how long it takes to experience symptoms from the RENU Solution?
Ever since I heard about the RENU being taken off shelves b/c people were experiencing problems I’ve been going crazy with worry. I tried to look up info on it, but it’s hard to find what I’m looking for. Does anyone know how long it can take to see symptoms? Is this something I need to worry about a year from now? Five years? Forever? Should I see my eye doctor about it? I’ve used the RENU solution since 9th grade (the original) and started the Moistureloc months ago (I can’t say for sure—somewhere between half a year to a year maybe). I’m now 22 years old. Also, does anyone know if tension headaches are a symptom? I started getting these horrible tension headaches months ago that include forehead contractions (where the muslces in your forehead keep contracting—a symptom of tension headaches I’m told). I have to squint my eyes constantly to try and focus better.
A: The Symptoms are an eye infection. You would find mucus and/or redness of the eyes. Ask for a check up with your eye Doctor. If you think you have an eye infection, stop using all eye care products immediately including contact lenses. (stick with glasses till you see your Dr.)
The Constant tension headaches sound serious. You should see a regular Dr. The throbbing (or as you call them contractions) is the veins in your neck and head constricting. Any time you have symptoms that are reoccurring, or that last more than 48 hrs you should see a Dr. Go to the local walk in or call your primary care for a appointment. Mean while drink lots of water to help minimize pain. Make sure not to take any thing that can mask symptoms at the time of visit (like Motrin which can thin the blood and hide the pain)
Q: Mixture of Migraine and tension headache?
I don’t know if it is possible but I have the symptoms of both headache. I have a history of Sinus headache too. Let me describe you my symptoms. My eyes burn a bit, headache is only at my fronthalf and lower back of my head. I feel like I am about to sneeze all the time, when I do so, it feels better. I used to have problem sleeping.(till last week) I started having this after falling in depression.(not in depression anymore) physical activity aggravates it if I do it during my headaches. If I read something, or use my mind, it increases it. If I continue doing it, a lot of people started yelling in my ear, and I start imagining picture w/ messed up lenght and width. Drinking cool stuff relieves it. Which reminds me, I have a history of heat exhaustion. It gives me a feeling of loosing and irritation. Also, watching tv and sitting on computer worsens it.
Btw, when people are yelling at me, it is in my head, not in realities.
A: get your eyes checked first of all then see if your medicine could be causing the headaches if so go back to your dr
Q: why do i feel high off of only two excedrin tension headache pills?
I feel like buzzed but not really spacey…I hate this feeling, why do I feel it only after two pills? I also feel like I am going to throw up, and I feel dizzy. What can I do to lesson the symptoms? Thank you in advance.
A: That stuff is full of caffeine!! I have a niece that takes them to catch a buzz when she is at work. If you have problems with drinking soda or coffee because of the amount of caffeine in it then you shouldn’t take Excedrin. You can splash your face with some cold water, and put a cold rag on the back of your neck. that may help
Q: Manic, racing thoughts along with tension headache?
I have depression. Could these symptoms be related to it or is it probably something else?
A: Yes, your symptoms sound stress-related. I agree with 1st answerer that you should get more rest and try relaxation techniques. Here’s a site that may help-
http://www.mindtools.com/stress/RelaxationTechniques/IntroPage.htm
Q: Depression; anxiety, tension, & other symptoms?
Im 15yrs old, and i’ve been dealing with depression for only 8mths now. Along with the depression followed anxiety, and then horrible physical and mental symptoms. I see a therapist, and a doctor, but i hate the fact of taking antidepressants. Im so deeply afraid of them. Everyone tells me i’ll be ok. But since my anxiety came along im afraid to take medicine, because of side affects or coming off of it and dying. Everyday is a battle because my brain brings off nothing but pure negative thoughts, and telling me to panic. And my body is always tense and i get horrible knots in the back of my neck along with tension headaches, concentration problems, dry mouth, hot flashes and chills. Does anyone know any natural remedies or have any uplifting words of advice?
-thanks.
A: Hey fool don’t get off your meds 
Well yes on the serious note Yes i have been diagnosed with something similar I have a bipolar disorder, and everyday I have to deal with the suicidal thoughts. a great way to sort out your issues is to watch as much Roseanne and golden girls as possible because they always make me feel better. also eat your cereal out of a country crock butter container because it saves money which you can spend on anti depressant medication.
Q: tension headache or migraine?
i get headaches alot. i think its from not getting enough sleep because i usually get them when i don;t have a full nights sleep or when i am really tired. i also get them if i take a nap, it doesn’t even have to be a long nap maybe 20-30 minutes and i’ll get a headache. i always have nausea along with it. what kind of headache do u think it is? i take excedrin for migraines and it never fails. i only tried it because regular tylenol doesnt help.. but everytime i take it my headache and nausea goes away.
but i was searching online and my symptoms seem to be of tension headaches because i do get them from a lack of sleep..
A: there are lots of “titles” for headaches. this does not sound like a true migraine.I, m guessing the excerdrin you reffer to has caffine in it. caffine is a vasoconstictor meaning it makes blood vessels smaller. many headaches are caused by dilitation or enlargement of blood vessels in the brain for various reasons. coffee can help, caffine drinks etc. or just take the excedrin. migraines usually don’t respond to this, cause photosensitivity, aouras… and are long laasting hours to days
