Is wearing a mask causing you headache? Here’s why

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from getting infected by the novel coronavirus.

But wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining social distance should be followed even after getting vaccinated, says the government.

Washing hands and maintaining social distance is easy for everyone, but wearing a mask for long can lead to discomfort and headache.

Can you relate? If yes, this article is a must-read for you.

Mask leading to headache
Masks have helped a great deal in reducing the transmission of the infection during the pandemic. But now as people are going out for longer hours, there is a rise in the number of mask related headache complaints. Many people complain of headaches, discomfort, dehydration and disorientation after wearing the mask for long. But why exactly does it happen? Let’s find out.

Wearing a mask is even more difficult for people who have a cold, cough, asthma, allergies and skin rashes . But as per the government guidelines, people must comply with the public health measures for their own and everyone else’s safety. And the pros of wearing a mask outweigh the discomfort caused by wearing it, thus one should not give it a second thought.

Why does wearing a facemask cause headache?
Wearing a tight mask for a long period of time can cause pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your lower jaw to the rest of your skull. Mask can irritate the muscles and tissues that allow your jaw to move. The nerves that affect the jaw can send pain signals that may feel like a headache.

How to prevent mask related headaches at home
– Avoid wearing a mask that is tight behind your ears. Tighter masks pull on your ears, which can irritate the nearby nerves. Keep the tighter and more restrictive mask for when you are in a high-risk situation.

– Pay attention to the position of your jaw and teeth. Stress and worry can lead to clenching your jaw muscles and teeth. Your jaw should be relaxed and teeth not touching when you are relaxed.

– Maintain a good posture. TMJ pain can also be caused by a bad posture, as bad posture increases muscle tension.

– Perform some gentle neck stretches

– Massage your cheeks and temples

– Practice mediation and relaxation techniques

Do simple jaw exercises
– Keep your tongue on the roof of your mouth, slowly open and close your mouth to stretch jaw muscles and lubricate the TMJ.

– Keep your mouth slightly open, slowly love your jaw side to side in a comfortable range.

​Is it safe to not wear a face mask?
It might be getting safer to remove the mask  in another couple of months. But as of now, it’s best to keep wearing your mask even if you are fully vaccinated.