Inspira Health Network, Inc.

FALL 2017

Spirit of Women magazine is a national publication presented to women by hospitals and their physicians. The magazine provides up-to-date, evidence-based healthcare information and promotes our hospitals as leaders in women's health excellence.

Issue link: https://spiritofwomen.epubxp.com/i/877943

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 18 of 32

18 Healthy Body Tension headaches A tension headache, one of the most usual types of primary headaches that adults experience, can cause a dull tightness and pressure around your forehead or in the back of your head and neck. "The pain isn't throbbing, and physical activity doesn't make the pain worse," says Dr. Abdul-Malak. If the pain comes and goes within a day, and you don't experience other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, numbness or weakness, you can usually treat the headache at home. Taking aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) may help you get relief. Tension headaches can be lifestyle related. If you have frequent tension headaches, make sure you're getting plenty of sleep and exercise, eating well and staying hydrated, and try to manage stress. If the pain lasts more than a day or two, with or without other symptoms, make an appointment with your primary care doctor. "You need to be evaluated to determine what kind of headache it is," says Dr. Abdul-Malak. By Sandra Gordon Headaches are so common that it's easy to dismiss them. "But one of the most common mistakes patients make is putting up with headache pain without seeking medical attention," says Dr. Sami Abdul-Malak, chief of the neurology department at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y. While some headaches really are nothing but a pain, others can be a sign of something more serious. Here's a guide to figuring out what's worrisome and what's not—and how to get the help you need to feel better. headache pain Get ahead of

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Inspira Health Network, Inc. - FALL 2017