New Treatment Could Provide Relief to Headache Sufferers

A new treatment combination may provide the very relief that chronic tension headache sufferers have long been looking for. Often debilitating, chronic tension headaches are characterized as a tight band of pressure in the head that seems never-ending - occurring almost daily over a six-month period or longer.

Because the pain is continuous, many who suffer from this type of headache are at risk for overusing pain relievers (analgesic medication). This overuse can ultimately lead to analgesic abuse headaches. Another treatment option has been the use of antidepressants, with amitriptyline hydrocholoride being the first line of treatment. However, recent medical trials report that this antidepressant provides little, if any, relief.

Now, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), shows promising results for the treatment of chronic tension headaches with a combination of antidepressant medication and stress management counseling. This comes as good news for the millions of men and women in the US who suffer from chronic tension headaches. (Statistics show that 3 percent of women and 1.5 percent of men experience this type of headach.

JAMA Study

In the JAMA study, 25 percent of the 200 study participants underwent a treatment plan involving both stress management therapy and the use of tricyclic antidepressants. The other participants received treatment of either stress management counseling or tricyclic antidepressants. After careful evaluation, the researchers found that the combination treatment provided more relief to the headaches sufferers than either therapy did alone.  The researchers now want to further their work in order to determine if this same combination treatment is effective in relieving migraine headaches.

Headaches and Children

In a related story, scientists are also finding that severe headaches are not just limited to adults. A recent study published in the journal Neurology reports that headaches, especially migraines, are a very real and prevalent problem in children. In fact, according to the American Council for Headache Education, many adults who suffer from headaches say they also experienced headaches as children, with as many as 20 percent saying they experienced the onset of severe headaches before the age of 10. Headaches are also an inherited trait. Parents who suffer from migraine headaches are likely to have children who suffer from migraines.

With over 500 children evaluated, researchers found that more than one-third of the young participants suffered from at least 15 headaches a month. Nearly all of those children described symptoms of migraine headaches - a headache associated with a throbbing type of pain that is often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity. Stress-related tension-type headaches were the second most common type suffered by the children.

In addition, research has found that girls are more susceptible to headaches then boys. The study found twice as many females suffered from chronic daily headaches than males - a trait that seems to follow females all through their life (an earlier study published in JAMA reports that women are more likely to suffer from both migraines and chronic tension-type headaches than men).

What are Tension-Type Headaches?

The American Medical Association (AMA) describes tension-type headaches as a headache that feels like there is a tight band of pressure at both temples, the forehead, or the back of the head and neck. The pain is usually moderate and does not increase with physical activity.

Although the exact cause of tension-type headaches is not known, medical experts state that it may be triggered by tension in the neck, face, and scalp muscles. Anxiety, depression, and stress are other factors that may cause tension-type headaches.

When to Contact Your Physician

The AMA recommends that you contact your physician if you experience recurring headaches when you previously have been relatively headache-free, or if one headache is different from others (longer in length or more severe).

Also, contact your physician immediately if your headache is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

• confusion, dizziness, numbness, weakness, or paralysis
• loss of consciousness
• fever
• stiff neck
• seizures
• pain in your eye or ear

What Are Migraine Headaches?

The American Medical Association (AMA) describes the following as typical symptoms of a migraine headache:

• headache pain that is moderate to severe that can last four hours or longer
• throbbing pain on either one side or both sides of the head
• nausea
• pain intensifies when you move
• sensitivity to light, odors, or sound
• vomiting

Because some of the above symptoms may signal an even more serious condition, be sure and consult your physician for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Medical experts say the following may trigger migraine headaches:

• lack of sleep
• stress
• hormonal changes
• some foods, such as chocolate and some types of cheese
• some food additives, such as nitrites, nitrates, and monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• some alcoholic beverages, such as red wine/font>
• bright lights or loud noises

Always consult your physician for more information

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