One of the most common complaints in the world that is even commoner than the common cold is of course the headache. Used shamelessly by wives and now by husbands as well, headaches can originate form a multiplicity of causes. These range from the simple and harmless like the inflammation of the sinus to the extreme life threatening where it is symptomatic of cerebral aneurysm, encephalitis or cancer.
Though don’t indulge in a bout of hypochondria as the most common cause of headaches is caused by tension and is best alleviated by leading a stress free life.
Traditionally a tension headache is said to be caused by muscle contraction or blood vessel dilation. A certain type can also be caused by the involvement of any nerve in the face and these can be especially painful.
Tension headaches can also be caused by stress related muscle contractions on your upper body like the shoulders and neck. Related to anxiety, lack of sleep and depression, menstrual phases, consumption of street drugs and alcohol can bring them about. Some foods that can also act as trigger for headaches include surprisingly chocolate, cheese and the most pernicious compound of the packaged food industry mono sodium glutamate. Those of us addicted to coffee, chewing tobacco or nicotine can also get a headache if you don’t get you daily dose.
Any activity that needs you to hold the head in a single position over a long period of time can also cause a tension headache. As can sleeping in and abnormal position or a room with extreme temperature. Being woken up suddenly can also start one as can sudden extreme anger with teeth grinding or long bouts of crying. Of the suppression of psychological trauma can manifest itself in chronic bouts of tension headaches.

When tension headaches re-occur frequently and are coupled with other symptoms like nausea and visual disturbances they are called migraine headaches. These are extremely severe and can result in excruciating pounding and pulsating pain.

Not as common as the migraine, a cluster headache is extremely painful and happens numerous times a day for long periods of time, going away only to come back when you least expect it.

After reading the above, the only conclusion one can draw is that to be tension headache free you need a tension free life. No stress, regular hours, no vices like coffee or cigarettes. Stay away from chocolates cheese and junk food that might have MSG or its derivatives. Join a yoga class and learn about breathing exercises, don’t indulge in crying bouts over a chick flick and join anger management therapy to stop grinding your teeth. If all that seems a bit much at your age resign yourself to popping an ibuprofen and waiting for old age to do the trick.