Introduction:
Headaches can be commonly found to occur among everyone. It can be seen more among those who are stressed. Stress may cause different types of headaches, but it can especially cause tension-type headaches and migraines. Hence, stress can be considered a common reason for causing headaches in children as well as in adults.
What Is a Headache?
Headache is pain or discomfort in the head or face area. Headaches are common and can be felt by almost all people in their lifetime. Headaches can be classified based on the type of pain, severity, location, and frequency. They can be broadly divided into two types. These include,
Primary: This type is caused by dysfunction or overactivity of pain sensitivity in the head. The symptoms of head pain do not relate to underlying medical conditions. This type of headache may be due to genes present in them.
These include,
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Migraine headache.
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Tension headache.
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New daily persistent headache (NDPH).
Tension headaches are considered the most common among all types of headaches. They are not considered dangerous, but some headaches may indicate serious underlying conditions.
Primary headaches are caused by lifestyle factors or situations like
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Consuming alcohol, nicotine, and certain foods.
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Disturbed sleep.
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Poor posture.
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Due to exercise.
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Due to a skipped meal.
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Due to vigorous coughing, sneezing, laughing, or crying.
Secondary: This type of headache occurs due to an underlying cause. These indicate the symptoms of the underlying cause. These resolve once the underlying cause is treated.
These include,
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Dehydration headache.
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Sinus headache.
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Medication overuse headache.
Types of secondary headaches that are life-threatening are spinal headaches and thunderclap headaches.
Spinal Headache: This occurs when there is a leakage of spinal fluid present in the membrane covering the spinal cord. If left untreated, it may result in subdural hematomas and seizures.
Thunderclap Headaches: This type of headache is most painful and occurs suddenly. They can be indicative of
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Bleeding in the brain.
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Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.
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A sudden rise in blood pressure.
Headaches may occur in anyone, including children, adults, and adolescents. 96 percent of individuals experience headaches at least once in their lifetime. 40percent of individuals in the world suffer from tension headaches, and 10 percent suffer from migraine headaches.
What Is an Anxiety Headache?
Anxiety can disrupt everyday life by causing mental or physical symptoms, which include headaches. Some events in life, like stress at work, school, or waiting in traffic, may act as triggering factors for the cause of headaches. All sources of anxiety may not be avoided but understanding them may help manage headaches.
Anxiety may cause tension, headaches, and migraines.
Tension-Type Headaches: These show mild to moderate pain, and individuals feel like a band around the head. The pain may be described as a dull headache accompanied by scalp, neck, and shoulder tenderness.
Migraine: These headaches cause severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, it may be associated with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It may affect daily routine and last for hours to days sometimes. Anxiety may not directly cause migraine, but it can trigger it among those who generally get affected by migraine. Migraine may be seen among those affected by anxiety disorders.
A study has shown that migraines and other headaches are common among individuals with anxiety disorders. Another study done in 2009 suggests that migraines may precede the occurrence of mental disorders. One of the studies suggested that 40 percent of individuals with migraine experience depression.
What Are the Symptoms Caused by Anxiety Headaches?
The symptoms of anxiety headaches depend on the type of headache caused by anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety may help in identifying the type of headache caused by anxiety.
The symptoms of anxiety include,
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Experiencing nervousness and tension.
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Having a sense of life-threatening conditions.
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Heart rate may increase.
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Hyperventilation or rapid breathing may be observed.
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Unusual sweating or trembling may be seen.
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Difficulty faced in concentrating.
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Difficulty in falling or staying asleep.
What Are the Causes of Anxiety Headaches?
There is no particular cause for headaches. Chemical activity in the brain and genetics play a role in headaches. Headaches may be the result of lifestyle factors like consuming alcohol, a few foods, and disturbances in sleep.
Headaches are not caused directly by anxiety. These may be due to anxiety or stress. When an individual feels stressed or anxious, the muscles may get tensed, or there may be an occurrence of teeth grinding. These physical actions of the body may cause or worsen headaches.
How to Treat Anxiety Headaches?
Anxious situations cannot be avoided in life. Hence, anxious headaches should be treated once they start. The pain and discomfort are to be treated.
Tension-type headaches are also caused by anxiety. This type of headache is to be treated by over-the-counter medications. If tension headaches occur often, the doctor may prescribe daily medication to treat them.
The treatment of migraines helps in relieving symptoms and avoiding additional attacks. In this type of headache, pain-relieving medications specially designed for migraines are prescribed.
Some of the ways to ease migraine headaches include
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Laying down in a room that is cool and dark.
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Application of hot or cold compresses to the head and neck.
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Consuming small amounts of caffeine.
How to Prevent Anxiety Headaches?
If the headache is noticed because of anxiety, it can be prevented by taking a few steps. Reducing stress in everyday life may help reduce or prevent migraine headaches.
These include,
Relaxation Techniques: Practicing relaxation techniques for 10 minutes every day may help reduce anxiety. Other techniques, like practicing yoga and breathing exercises, may also help.
Sleep: Having quality sleep every day and sufficient sleep may help. Inadequate sleep may cause stress, and the individual may be unable to manage it.
Exercise: Practicing regular exercise can help prevent headaches. It helps by improving mood. It acts by giving a break from the daily stresses.
Simplifying the Schedule: Trying to do many things daily may create stress and anxiety. Hence, the work in a day is to be prioritized.
Conclusion:
Anxiety and stress are considered a part of everyday life. Headaches caused by anxiety need not be a part of everyday life. Lifestyle changes and treating headaches with proper medications can help prevent anxiety headaches.
