Headaches: Identifying And Avoiding Triggers

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Introduction

By identifying and avoiding tension headache triggers, you can help reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches. While some triggers may be out of your control, others are easily avoidable. The following points can help you prevent a tension headache:

• Keep a headache diary to identify your tension headache triggers.
• Manage stress.
• Seek treatment for any underlying depression or anxiety.
• Sleep, exercise, and eat on a regular schedule.
• Practice good posture to reduce neck strain.
• Reduce eyestrain from computers at work and at home.
• Stop clenching your jaw to reduce muscle tension in your face.

 What are common tension headache triggers?

 Why identify and avoid tension headache triggers?

 How to identify and avoid headache triggers

 Where to go from here

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Last updated:	July 30, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC