Understanding Tension Headaches

Understanding TENSION Headaches BY LISA S.T. DOSS

There isn’t one adult who hasn’t experienced some form of debilitating headache. Fingers can find the spot that may feel like an aching, throbbing pain. Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints, often without our understanding the cause. Lifestyle choices, whether it’s exercise, diet, or taking time to relax, can immediately impact daily functioning and quality of life. There are checklists to discover whether you fall into the category of infrequent or chronic conditions. Learning the root cause of tension and migraine headaches can lead to personal changes and healthy living.

More than just increased stress levels

Affecting both sides of the head with mild to acute pain, the tension, or stress, headache occurs due to psychological, neurobiological, and physical factors. As the parts of the body are interconnected, the ear, for instance, can impact the shoulder down to the fingertips; therefore, pain may begin as muscular tension spanning the distance from the jaw to the scalp or from the neck to the shoulders. Researchers continue to ask, “Why?” but the answer is complicated. They have found that due to genetics, environmental factors, mood disorders, or existing medical conditions may trigger various responses. Beyond stress, anxiety, sleep imbalance, fatigue, and hormonal changes, scientists attribute body posture, eye strain, teeth-grinding, certain medications, and skipping meals as causes. Accepting recurring pain may be tolerated temporarily, yet, it’s vital to discover the personalized answer to “Why me?”

Red flags

Documentation and remembering situations that prompted an onset of a tension headache or migraine are vital to a health care provider.

Think about the following: • At what age did your headaches begin? • Did they occur during or after pregnancy? • Are they present during menstruation? • Has one ever arrived from exertion, such as coughing or sneezing? • Can you describe the situation of the worst headache yet experienced?

Dangerous headaches, deemed “acute,” require professional assistance. But remember, you do not have to suffer; there is always help.

Lifestyle changes help dramatically

Determining the mechanism of a tension headache requires some investigation; therefore, consider the following questions. • How do you manage stress? Do you take time to slow the heart rate and practice breathing? Exercise emphasizing calming the nervous system, such as Yoga, Tai chi, neck kinesiotherapy, posture corrective training, and lifting weights all help eliminate tension headaches. • Do you sleep through the night? Headache symptoms increase in individuals impacted by sleep disturbances; yet, up to 65% of full recovery is possible. • Do particular foods trigger a headache? Consider keeping a diary to learn if eating chocolate, cheese, nuts, beans, or consuming red wine daily precipitate cranial pain. Even dehydration, caffeine, or withdrawal can play a role. By understanding food intake, you can understand how processed foods, carbohydrates, and even meals containing flour (i.e., gluten) influence the response to a headache. • What resolves the pain? Our body tells us so much information based on how we feel. Fatigue relates to needing more Rosemary or exercise in our diet. When headaches and illness arise, we slow down; sometimes we turn off the lights and sleep. Listening to the body and trying solutions, such as drinking chamomile and lemon balm tea or taking a warm shower, may help temporarily. Life does not always allow us to accommodate our minds to shutting down and waiting until wellness arrives.

Herbal Support

Plant-based medicines are as personalized as the condition requiring them. For instance, not everyone becomes excited over the scent of lavender or the taste of chamomile; therefore, trying poultices from herbal compresses or drinking various teas may warrant experimentation. Look for organic herbal teas that offer medicinal therapy. They may include oat milky tops, mugwort, skullcap, passionflower, wood betony, meadowsweet, and linden—all herbs that are proven to ward off or ease the symptoms of a tension headache. Essential oils, such as lavender, rosemary, or eucalyptus and peppermint, applied topically, can result in positive results. Personal research is important to find the right medicinal value for your needs.

Bitters

• “Bitters” are often used as an additive for a mixed cocktail; these are bittertasting herbs, such as white willow bark, feverfew leaf, and butterbur rhizome, which also support the liver, digestive functioning, and waste removal. In thinking about stress, the liver is the key organ that maintains blood sugar levels and triggers headaches.

By remaining vigilant to the triggers that cause early symptoms, you can make a lifestyle change to resume control over your well-being. Write down a few questions to ask your doctor to find solutions, rather than suffering through periodic pain.

WBFJ

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

The word bitters conjure delicious, fruity mixed drinks, perhaps including a whole cherry, lemon wedge, or a distinct spice. With a few shakes of the canister, the mixologist, in seconds, pours the contents into a glass, adds an umbrella, and sends it to be hand-delivered to the anticipated patron. Unfortunately, most do not see the combination of spices and herbs to offer the flavor complexity. Surprisingly, since the days of the ancient Egyptians, bitters, such as a black walnut leaf, allspice berries, cinnamon bark, and wild cherry bark, for instance, were anticipated herbs of another sort. Not as sensational as experimenting with combinations of liquor and herbs; instead, the plant matter soothed various ailments, such as gas and bloating, relieving nausea and occasional heartburn, balancing blood sugar levels, and improving liver function. In consuming foods lacking the flavor of necessary bitters in our daily diets, it’s understandable why digestive woes are common complaints.

Most likely, you can identify a long list of bitters; they may be growing wild in your garden or landscapes, declared as a weed; then, learning how each herb can help your gut promote healthy digestion, you can begin to select specific teas, make tinctures, or add fresh roots, leaves, or flowers to homemade soups or broths.

ARTICHOKE

As a vegetable, the globe artichoke also is a species of thistle. The leaves impose a unique quality. Rather than providing a warming and drying quality, the artichoke leaf contains potent plant compounds to support liver and cholesterol health. The next time you pull the leaves and remove the “choke,” consider eating the leaves or infusing them into a purposeful oil for future use. The benefit includes a high dosage of vitamins B, C, and K; and magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.

BURDOCK ROOT

Known as an agent to heal skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis, burdock’s powerhouse of antioxidants has cooling properties to aid irritations. Additionally, when consumed, its prebiotic fiber improves the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, bladder, and functions, leading to gut health. One cup of burdock root boosts energy levels, increases stamina, and endurance.

TIP: The concept of growing plants to harvest roots sounds messy. The alternative is buying organic herbs from a reputable, trusted source, such as a local grower or a well-known website. It is sold as dried chips, requiring soaking after five to ten minutes in warm water.

CHAMOMILE AERIAL PARTS

When pain and upset stomach arrive, Chamomile tea arrives to the rescue. Proven as a gentle bitter, just a few sips relax the muscles, eases digestion, and the occasional feelings of nausea.

TIP: Only steep Chamomile tea for less than five minutes, to prevent the herb from becoming bitter.

DANDELION AERIAL PARTS OR ROOTS

The yellow flower is one of the first signs of spring, rising early to offer pollinators a source of food. It is a significant medicinal plant for humans, which gently stimulates the liver, supports the kidneys, and improves digestion. Additionally, the plant matter cleanses the body, helps prevent urinary tract infections, and regulates blood pressure. All parts are edible, from the flower to the leaves and down to the roots.

TIP: Harvest the young spring uncontaminated aerial parts by drying them in the oven at 150 degrees for 15 minutes before sealing them into a glass jar. Recipes are readily available!

GINGER

As a candy, cookie, or tea, ginger has acted as a warming carminative to help with cramping, motion sickness, and stomach upset. In addition, ginger is a classic kitchen ingredient used in drinks to soups, baked goods, and a flavoring in meals. Perhaps you instinctively enjoy a cup of ginger tea in the morning or after dinner. The body needs assistance, and ginger is just one bitter that can provide relief.

Our bodies are amazing! The moment our tongue detects a bitter taste, it sends a message to the nervous system, alerting the body for digestion. Immediately, the liver, pancreas, and stomach begin to work, increasing the food’s digestibility while increasing serotonin levels to calm the nervous system; so, it’s understandable why a mixed drink is served 20 minutes before the main meal. You, too, can follow by preceding dinner with a soothing tea! The new habit may change your outlook on eating.

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