Introduction
Stress is the body's normal response to any stimuli. It is the feeling of emotional or physical tension. Everybody gets stressed at some point in life, which is rational and helpful to perform under pressure. But, prolonged periods of stress are not good and might adversely affect health. People experience stress from their environment, their body, and their thoughts. Typically, stress should be temporary. Once the body's normal fight or flight phase, the heartbeat, and breathing should return to normal, and the muscles should relax. It should only take a short time.
In this modern, fast-paced world, stress is inevitable. Those who can manage stress better will be healthier and more successful. Continuous periods of stress with no relief in the middle can result in distress, disturbing the body's internal balance or equilibrium. This results in headaches, stomach upset, high blood pressure, chest pain, sexual problems, and sleep disturbances. This might also lead to severe mental problems like depression, panic attacks, and other forms of anxiety. Stress is also the leading cause of heart disease, cancer, lung diseases, accidents, liver cirrhosis, and suicide.
What Is a Stress Headache?
Headache is pain felt on either one or both sides or all over the head. International headache society divides headaches into two types such as primary and secondary headaches.
1. Primary Headache.
A primary headache means a headache is not associated with any cause. Tension or stress-type headache is one of the types of primary headache. Tension-type headache (commonly called stress headaches) is encountered by 69 % of people with primary headaches.
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A stress headache is chronic head pain with bilateral tightness, a band-like discomfort. The significant cause of stress headache is anxiety, depression, aggressive nature, and poor posture.
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A tension headache is a dull, persistent pain in the temporal region (part of the head just above the ears) in a band-like distribution. It may radiate forward to the frontal (forehead) region or backward to the occipital (part of the head just above the neck) region. It is also referred to as a muscle contraction headache.
Types of Tension Headaches
There are two types of tension headaches. They are
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Episodic headache.
Episodic tension headache is diagnosed when the headache lasts from 30 minutes to seven days and is accompanied by two of the following characteristics,
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Tightening or pressing pain.
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Mild to moderate intensity of pain.
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Bilateral location (involving both sides of the head) of pain.
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No aggravation of pain with physical activity.
Chronic tension headache is characterized by an average headache frequency of 15 days per month for six months a year, frequently associated analgesic overuse, and intermittently superimposed migrainous features.
2. Secondary Headache
Secondary headache refers to headache associated with another underlying disease.
How to Get Rid of Stress Headache?
Some of the techniques are used to relieve stress headaches.
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Hot And Cold Compress - sometimes, the patient may relieve pain by using a hot and cold pack. Hot packs cause an increase in blood circulation in the head. Also, it helps in removing waste products and toxins responsible for pain, such as substance p (neurotransmitters that produce pain). The hot compress should be done five times a day. It gives symptomatic relief. Some patients are comfortable with cold compresses. It creates a "Lewis hunting reaction" (repeated constriction of blood vessels followed by repeated vasodilatation), which in turn causes the removal of toxins and reduces pain.
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Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - Ibuprofen - are the first line of treatment. It is used for mild to moderate headaches.
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Barbiturates - It is best used in conjunction with Aspirin and Acetaminophen. Precaution should be taken with barbiturates because its overuse does not relieve headaches but increases headaches.
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Acetylsalicylic Acid - This agent helps to alleviate mild to moderate headaches. It works by inhibiting prostaglandin production. Aspirin is the best example of this group.
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Analgesics - Acetaminophen is the best example of this. It is used in patients with hypersensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract, allergy to Aspirin, and who are taking oral contraceptive pills. It is used for moderately severe to severe headaches.
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Analgesic with antiemetics or sedatives relieves acute pain and chances of vomiting.
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Massage - Sometimes, massage with deep pressure on the head with pain reliever gel such as Diclofenac gel, linseed oil, camphor, etc., to relieve pain. It will also give relief from nasal congestion and provide muscle relaxation.
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Prehospital Management - A person should not take opioid analgesics before the doctor evaluates the neurologic system. High analgesic medication with oxygen administration may relieve pain.
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Sometimes, hospitalization is necessary when a patient has a severe headache and is not cured with medicine.
How to Prevent Stress Headache?
Techniques such as biofeedback and relaxation therapy are used to eliminate stress and help prevent stress headaches.
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Biofeedback Training - this technique includes control and relaxation of sustained contracted muscle to relieve pain and tightness. The ease of neck, shoulder, and arm muscles may reduce headaches. It improves outcomes with the help of positive visual feedback. It provides pain relief and relaxation.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - These techniques include talk therapy with the self to relieve tension. It also reduces the attack of headaches and the severity of pain. Talking with ourselves is sometimes beneficial to relieve mental stress.
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Other Relaxation - Deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and muscle relaxation help to improve brain circulation and wash out waste that produces pain sensations. Modifications in the lifestyle are necessary, such as proper sleep, smoking cessation, physical exercises, a balanced diet, and adequate hydration. Avoid excess intake of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar. Sometimes a massage is also helpful. It relieves extra muscle tension and improves back neck and head circulation.
Conclusion
Treatment of stress headaches usually works effectively. However, the long-term nature of the headaches can make life and daily work challenges. People with stress headaches must get help from a doctor or other medical professionals and prevent stress headaches.
