Sadly, we can’t do much about Wall Street. We can help with that headache, though—whether it’s a throbbing in your temples after skipping lunch, a pain behind your eyes from staring at your computer, or a dull ache the morning after you’ve had a little too much to drink.
What really triggers that debilitating pain in your head? Read moreUse our handy guides on the following pages to learn about the most common headache types—then talk to your doctor.TENSION
Who gets them The most common form of headache, tension-type headaches strike 100 million Americans a year. Some sufferers get them every day.
What happens in your head Stress makes muscles (neck, scalp, jaw) spasm, stimulating pain receptors in the brain. Some experts now believe changes in brain chemicals may be another culprit.
Where it hurts Top or both sides of the head
How it feels Steady, bandlike pressure around the head that doesn’t get worse with normal physical activity
Other symptoms May feel pain in the neck and shoulders or become sensitive to light or sound
Common triggers Lack of sleep, eyestrain, poor posture, irregular meals, stress, worry
Treatment OTC meds with acetaminophen (Tylenol, Excedrin) usually lessen pain. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can zap pain and reduce inflammation. Overuse can cause rebound headaches, though, so see your doc if you’re popping pills more than two days a week.
Good to know Tension-type headaches typically last 30 minutes or even a few days.