HEADACHE — TENSION – CONCLUSION
Those who habitually clench their teeth during the night may awake with severe facial pain. Tension headaches may occur in those who also suffer migraine and sometimes it is difficult to tell them apart.
During situations of stress the sufferer may have recurrent migraine interspersed with tension headache. In treating this common disorder it is important to try to teach the patient to relax.
A variety of eastern and western relaxation methods can be learned. Physical activity can provide an outlet for inner aggression and help relaxation and reduce the frequency of headaches.
The pain of a tension headache will usually respond to simple analgesics. Stronger pain-relieving drugs may be necessary.
Diazepam, a commonly used tranquilliser, has the advantage of not only relieving nervous tension but also muscle spasm. This may be used to treat an acute attack, or for prevention.
Some patients are depressed and their headaches improve if they are given anti-depressant drugs. Manipulation of the neck can relieve the spasm and pain of an acute headache and may reduce their frequency.
The drug pizotifen which is used in the prevention of migraine and cluster headaches may also reduce the frequency of tension headache.
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