Life can get stressful, there is no doubt about that. Mild inconveniences, crammed schedules, sudden events that pop up and need your attention and even the daily routine in your household can all ramp up at once and cause you to feel really anxious or stressed out.

While you may be struggling mentally, chronic stress can also start to affect you physically. Stress can manifest itself into physical symptoms and lead to symptoms like tension headaches.

Tension headaches are usually not a cause for alarm, but our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team explains more about them and how to treat them below.

What Is a Tension Headache?

Tension headaches, which are also called stress headaches, can be brought on by chronic stress, inadequate sleep and even poor posture. When we are stressed or have poor posture, our neck, shoulders and even scalp can tense up and contract. This constant tension can create stress on your body and cause a mild to moderate pain to develop.

Many people often describe a tension headache like it feels that a tight band is around their head. Tension headaches can come on slowly or just affect one side of your head, but they can be really persistent, especially if you don’t change your day or lifestyle at all.

Treating a Tension Headache

• Find a way to reduce stress.
• Go screen-free for periods throughout your day.
• Get more sleep.
• Be more intentional about your posture.
• Exercise more often, or take a walk at headache onset.

What if a Tension Headache Doesn’t Go Away?

It is important to remember that most headaches are minor inconveniences and will slowly go away on their own or with some OTC pain-relieving medication. Start with simple symptom relief strategies like drinking some water, going for a walk or spending some time doing a hobby or low-stress activity.

If that doesn’t help, take some pain-relieving medication and watch your symptoms closely. While most headaches aren’t medical emergencies, watch for any warning signs and seek medical attention right away to reduce your risk of suffering from an undiagnosed stroke or other serious medical condition.

5 Warning Signs of a Serious Headache

• Sudden or severe pain
• A stiff neck accompanies the pain
• Persistent headache after a head injury
• Blurry vision
• Numbness or paralysis on the body
  

Headaches can indicate a variety of conditions. Stop by AFC Urgent Care Louisville to meet with our care team.