Tension headaches, which some in the medical fraternity now call "tension-type headaches", are the most common kind of headaches and account for about 90% of all headaches. They can be treated in a variety of ways, including over-the-counter products and stronger pain relief medicine such as Butalbital.
Tension headaches are most prevalent in people between the ages of 20 and 50, and are more common in women than in men. The possible causes of tension headaches remain a subject of some speculation. There is general consensus, however, that tension headaches can be either triggered or made worse by certain situations.
Tension Headache Triggers
- Poor posture
- Overwork and/or stress
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Lack of sleep or other sleep disorders
- Dental problems
- Certain types of foods
- Skipping meals
- Substance abuse
- Overuse of medication
- Hormonal changes related to menstruation
Types of Tension Headaches
Tension headaches generally fall into one of two categories:
- Episodic tension headaches that occur less than 15 days a month. The duration of these types of tension headaches is usually brief.
- Chronic tension headaches that occur on 15 days a month or more for at least three months. Compared with the episodic form, chronic tension headaches are far less common, but twice as many women as men suffer from them.
Relatively few people who experience episodic tension headaches seek medical attention, either because the headaches go away on their own or because they can often be treated with over-the-counter medication.
However, people with chronic tension headaches may opt for preventive medication to reduce the frequency of the attacks or prescription pain relief products to treat the tension headaches and/or make them less severe.
Drugs to Prevent Tension Headaches
Some patients with chronic tension headaches may respond well to certain types of antidepressants to help prevent attacks. Depending on the person, drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Wellbutrin can help them avoid tension headaches entirely. Others may opt for anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax, which can also help prevent tension headaches. These drugs can help in prevention but are not generally prescribed for pain relief.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief for Tension Headaches
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) often provide pain relief for both types of tension headaches, chronic and episodic. While these pain relief products are readily available, they should be taken with care, as some patients may experience side effects or an adverse reaction.
Butalbital for Tension Headaches
Butalbital is a stronger prescription-only pain relief treatment that many doctors prescribe for patients who experience chronic tension headaches. Before prescribing Butalbital, your doctor will want to know if you have any drug allergies and what other medicines you may be taking.
Butalbital should generally be taken with food or milk, and works best if taken at the very outset of a tension headache attack. Since Butalbital is a powerful medication that falls into the sedative class of drugs, it can be habit-forming. So regardless of the intensity and frequency of your tension headaches, Butalbital should only be taken as directed by a doctor or licensed pharmacist.
Butalbital can be an extremely effective treatment for the chronic pain of tension headaches. While many patients experience significant pain relief when they take Butalbital for their tension headaches, be aware of the following possible side effects:
- Drowsiness
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting or nausea
- Stomach pain
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Confusion
These potential side effects of Butalbital are generally minor.
Non-Drug Tension Headache Treatments
In addition to Butalbital and some of the other tension headache treatments mentioned here, some patients benefit from one or more non-drug treatments. Tension headaches can sometimes be avoided or alleviated with:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Relaxation techniques
- Eating and sleeping more regularly
- Stopping smoking
To find out more about tension headaches and how to treat them, consult the online pain relief knowledge base on eDrugstore.md.
