Frequent Headaches

Many people deal with tension headaches, and women in their thirties are definitely very likely to experience this very common form of headache. This type of headache is actually the most common type, and women are far more likely to deal with these types of headaches than men are, especially women between the age of 30-39 years old. Tension headaches usually start in the morning and as the day goes by they generally become worse. They often start in the neck and in the base of the skull as well, and then go on to go into the head.

Chronic Tension Headaches
One type of tension headaches are chronic tension headaches. These are tension headaches that  happen at least fifteen days out of a month for three months in a row. Usually they only last for a few hours, but it can be difficult to deal with, since they happen almost daily.

Episodic Tension Headaches
Another type of tension headaches are episodic tension headaches. These headaches are the most common, and they are usually fairly short headaches. They may only last just a few minutes, or they may last a few hours. This type of headache will occur less than fifteen days out of a month, and usually sufferers deal with tender scalps and neck muscles as well.

Tension Headaches and Depression
It usually seems that those who have chronic tension headaches have a larger chance of being depressed than other people; however, it is difficult to tell whether the depression causes the headaches or if the headaches actually cause the depression. Those who suffer with chronic tension headaches should seek professional help for depression, and many times this treatment will help decrease the frequency of these headaches.

Causes
There are a variety of different causes of tension headaches. Stress is one of the biggest causes, and skipping meals can also cause them as well. Lack of exercise or having bad posture can lead to the development of tension headaches too. Some other causes include hormone changes, depression, grinding of the teeth, and too many headache medications.
Tension Headache Treatments
In some cases the treatment for a tension headache can just take you eating a meal if you forgot to eat. Alleviating your stress may also help you to get rid of one of these headaches as well. Over the counter medications, such as Advil, Aspirin, or Tylenol can also help you get rid of a tension headache. If these medications do not work, you may want to speak with your doctor to get a stronger medication. Be sure that you do not take painkillers too often, or they may become ineffective or even cause what is know as rebound headaches too.

Alternative Remedies for Tension Headaches
One alternative remedy for tension headaches in acupuncture. There are many findings that seem to prove that this can be an effective treatment; however, you will want to find a professional to do this type of treatment for you. Also in some cases, aromatherapy can also be an excellent treatment for these headaches as well. Ginger, lavender oil, and even peppermint are also effective in treating tension headaches.

Holistic headache remedies fall into two categories: Those that provide relief from the headache you’ve already got and those that will help prevent headaches in the future.

For a head that’s aching in the present moment, here are several holistic practices you can try, either singly or in combination:

Boost circulation: Tight neck, shoulder, and upper back muscles can cause a headache or make one worse. To relieve them, locate the sorest spots on the back and sides of your neck and on the tops of your shoulders and rub them or have someone else do so. Rubbing breaks up muscle knots, which constrict blood flow, and boosts circulation that carries away trapped toxins. For best results, apply pressure for a few seconds before beginning to massage these areas. To increase relief, add an herbal liniment, especially one containing capsicum—but wash hands carefully afterward to avoid getting any of these liniments near your eyes the next time you wash your face.

Relieve anxiety: Tension caused by anxiety is a great headache producer, so using herbs that relieve anxiety will also relieve anxiety-induced headaches. Kava-Kava, Valerian, Hops and Passion flower are especially noted for their anxiety-reducing properties, as is the Chinese herbal compound known as Hepataplex, or long dan xie gan tang.

Stretch and breathe: Stretching and deep breathing both help release headache-causing toxins by increasing your brain’s oxygen flow. If you’re sitting or standing in one place and position for a long time, inhale as you lift your shoulders, then exhale as you roll them backward and let them drop.

Go for the right smell: Aromatherapy—the practice of using certain aromas and scents to alleviate physical and emotional problems—can work wonders in relieving headaches. Sniffing a few drops of peppermint, rosemary or eucalyptus oil placed on a cotton ball and held under the nose can bring instant pain relief, as can massaging a drop of rosemary oil into your each of your temples.

An added benefit for these remedies is that you can use them as singles or mix them without concern for side effects.

Long-term holistic remedies may include making lifestyle changes that commit you to a better diet, exercise and work schedule. Here are two long-term steps you should consider:

Breathe better: Making a conscious effort to do a better job of breathing can go a long way toward alleviating headache problems. Perhaps due to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, most of us don’t breathe as deeply as we should or from the right parts of our bodies. Good breathing comes from allowing your belly and lower abdomen to push air into your lungs rather than merely breathing from your chest. Because stress and tension can trigger shallow breathing, making a conscious effort to change breathing patterns is important.

Go for the negative: Ions, that is. Using a negative-ion generator that freshens the air you breathe by removing unhealthy particles has been shown to relieve headaches and reduce the frequency with which they occur. Putting one in the room where you spend most of your time can make a huge difference in how well you feel.