Meditation Is the Safest First Step, Relieve Suffering From Headaches

Tension headaches can be as recurrent and as disabling as a migraine headache.

The old definition of chronic tension headaches used to be greater than 15 a month, we now recommend those with greater than 10 tension headaches a month consider medication for suppression if other strategies have not worked.

For women and girls puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are the times that headaches worsen, even if you don’t suffer from menstrual migraines and may want to consider a plan for those times.

PMS and PMDD can cause headaches and treatment of the underlying condition is as important as treating the individual headaches that occur.

Menstrual cycle time for women can lead to simple dehydration which can cause a tension headache.

Normalizing sleep, diet, and exercise is the best first strategy.

Meditation, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation, and stress management are the best ways, the healthiest, and very important even for those who use medication for controlling headaches.

The tricyclic antidepressant medication amitryptiline has the best data for suppression medication, but some of the other antidepressants work for prevention of tension headaches too.

Seizure medications that work to prevent migraines can work to prevent chronic or frequent tension headaches as well.

We are accepting new clients at Women’s Health Practice.