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Magnesium, Vitamin B or 5-HTP may relieve tension headaches
In addition to the standard OTC treatments available in pharmacy, there are a few other options that may be helpful for relieving tension headaches.
Magnesium levels tend to be lower in people with headaches, both migraines and tension type headaches. Taking magnesium supplements and carefully keeping track of whether your headaches happen less often or are less severe may help.
Vitamin B is considered to have anti-stress properties and, therefore, potentially helpful to take if you experience tension headaches.
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid. The body makes 5-HTP from tryptophan (another amino acid that is obtained from the diet) and converts it to an important brain chemical known as serotonin. 5-HTP dietary supplements help raise serotonin levels in the brain, which may have a positive effect on sleep, mood, anxiety, aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behaviour, and pain sensation. A supplement may help.
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References
Grazzi L, Andrasik F, Usai S, Bussone G. Magnesium as a preventive treatment for paediatric episodic tension-type headache: results at 1-year follow-up. Neurol Sci. 2007 Jun;28(3):148-50. Epub 2007 Jun 30.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17603767
Taylor FR. Nutraceuticals and headache: the biological basis. Headache. 2011 Mar;51(3):484-501.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21352223
5HTP Ribeiro CA. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan in the prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Headache. 2000 Jun;40(6):451-6.
Lea R, Colson N, Quinlan S, Macmillan J, Griffiths L. Genomics Research Centre, School of Health Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2009 Jun;19(6):422-8. doi: 10.1097/FPC.0b013e32832af5a3.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19384265
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