Anxiety

Simple Ways To Calm An Anxiety Headache

If you or a loved one experiences anxiety, you know that it can wreak havoc by creating restlessness, excessive worrying, irritability, and fear. It can also cause nausea, fatigue, and breathing issues. 

Anxiety can also cause what is known as an anxiety headache. This can cause discomfort in your scalp, neck, and head. You may have tension headaches if you are constantly stressed or worried about something. Frequent tension headaches worsen the symptoms of anxiety.

If you suffer from migraines, there may be a link between migraines and anxiety. A study conducted in 2016 found that migraine headaches are 2-5 times more likely to occur in those with anxiety than those who do not. It also states anxiety symptoms are more common among people with chronic migraines. Chronic migraine consists of frequent migraine attacks with headaches lasting for 15 or more days in a month, and for people with fewer headaches, anxiety puts them at risk of more headaches over time. 

What Does an Anxiety Headache Feel Like?

There are three types of anxiety headaches: tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. Each type has different signs and symptoms.

Tension headaches cause mild pain on either side of the head. They can last for hours or days but do not worsen with physical activity.

Anyone who has experienced a migraine can tell you that the head feels like it's going to explode during a headache. You may feel a sharp or throbbing pain on one side of the head, especially on the eye and back. Migraines can last for a day or longer and could be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light.

A cluster headache can cause multiple attacks of extreme pain lasting from 15 minutes to many hours. Watery eyes, runny nose, and sweaty face are other symptoms of a cluster headache.

How To Get Rid of an Anxiety Headache?

Her5 e are some simple at-home ways to get rid of an anxiety headache:

1. Over-the-counter Headache Medication

Common over-the-counter medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen may relieve the headache. Drugs that combine pain relief with caffeine may also prove helpful for mild to moderate headaches.

Other drugs increase serotonin levels in the brain and reduce inflammation. However, if you have an anxiety headache every day, it could be very harmful to your body to take pain-relief medication daily. If you get headaches frequently, talk to your doctor.

2. Anti-Anxiety Medicines

If over-the-counter medication doesn’t help, you should talk to your doctor, who may prescribe anti-anxiety medication to treat the underlying cause of headache. These drugs are designed to relax the muscles and reduce the frequency and intensity of the headaches.

3. Cold Showers

Research shows that exposure to cold activates the sympathetic nervous system. Because of the high density of cold receptors in the skin, a cold shower sends enormous amounts of electrical impulses to the brain. Ice for headache causes an anti-depressant effect.

4. Heating Pads

Heat therapy increases the blood flow in a particular area and reduces inflammation.

Applying a heating pad to your shoulders or neck will help relax the muscles and ease the tension of the headaches. Taking a hot shower has similar benefits.

5. Stay Hydrated

Research to understand the relationship between water and anxiety has shown that staying hydrated lowers the risk of anxiety and headaches.

Dehydration can cause a sudden rise or drop in blood pressure and affect blood volume leading to headaches and dizziness. This headache could be sharp or throbbing pain all over your head or in one spot.

6. Vent

One of the best ways to manage anxiety is to talk about it. Venting to a friend or talking to a therapist can do wonders and ease your tension. 

5 Products For Anxiety Headache Relief

HPFY carries many products to help treat headaches from anxiety. Some of our best sellers are

Anxiety occurs when we have overwhelming or unresolved emotions and can impact health and cause unrest and headaches. It also affects your mood, relationships, social life, and sleep pattern. Over-the-counter medications can help relieve the pain. However, if these headaches occur daily and start affecting daily life, it is best to consult a healthcare professional.

 

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