Disease: Tension Headache

    Tension headache facts

    • Tension headache is thought to be one of the most common types of headache.
    • Although the precise cause of tension headache is unknown, there are factors that seem to contribute to tension headaches, such as
      • stress,
      • impaired sleep, or
      • skipping meals.
    • Different conditions may contribute to tension headaches such as vision problems or eye strain, overexertion, muscle strains caused by poor posture have all been associated with development of tension headache.
    • While certain foods (processed or aged foods, chocolate, red wine) can trigger migraine headache, in some cases head and neck movement or physical exertion might trigger a migraine; this is not typical of tension headache.
    • Some individuals have both migraine and tension headache; additionally, tension headache can trigger migraine pain, and may be relieved by migraine medications. Symptoms of migraine include
      • light and sound sensitivity,
      • nausea or
      • vomiting, and
      • (often one-sided) throbbing head pain which worsens with exertion
    • Both tension headaches and migraines are diagnosed by physical examination and headache history of the patient.
    • Treatments for tension headaches can include OTC and prescription pain relievers, exercise (including formal physical therapy), stress management and relaxation techniques, and alternative therapies.

    What is a tension headache?

    Headache -- a condition so common it's the punch line for a number of jokes, but when you're experiencing a headache, it's no laughing matter.

    When most people discuss headache, they're typically referring to the most frequently experienced type of headache, a tension headache (also known as tension-type or stress headache). Almost half of adults experienced a headache in the past year; fortunately, for the majority of those individuals, the headache was mild, short-lived, and likely fell into the category of tension headache.

    Children and teens can experience tension headache; with a significant percentage of children having experienced tension headache by age 15. Females are often diagnosed with tension headaches (more often, about twice as often) than males.

    What causes tension headaches?

    The exact cause of tension headache isn't known; and many factors probably play a role in why people develop headache. These factors may include:

    • lack of sleep,
    • skipping meals, or
    • increased stress (leading to a frequent description of these headaches as stress headaches).

    Underlying diseases or conditions may frequently cause a headache, for example:

    • eye strain,
    • muscular tension caused by poor posture,
    • over exertion, or
    • anxiety.

    In children, headache may be seen as a response to changes in school or home situations such as:

    • a new sibling,
    • testing at school, or
    • social isolation.

    What are the symptoms of tension headache?

    Most tension headaches occur infrequently, and are usually short-lived (resolves within minutes to a few hours). In rare cases the headache may last for many days. A tension headaches that occur more than 15 days each month are referred to as chronic tension headache.

    Tension headache pain
    • The pain of chronic tension headache tends to wax and wane in severity.
    • The pain associated with tension headache typically impacts the whole head, but may begin in the back of the head or above the eyebrows.
    • Some people experience a cap or band-like sensation which encircles their skull, while others describe their pain as a muscle tension in their neck or shoulder regions.
    • The pain is frequently described as constant and pressure-like.
    • The pain tends to come on gradually and even at maximum intensity is not incapacitating.
    • Most people who have a tension headache are able to continue their daily activities despite the pain.
    Other tension headache symptoms
    • In some cases, people with tension headache report some sensitivity to light or sound.
    Are tension headaches associated with symptoms of other types of headache?

    Tension headaches are not associated with nausea or vomiting, and do not have symptoms like flashing lights, blind spots, or numbness or weakness of the arms or legs which precede the headache. These symptoms can help distinguish tension headaches from other types of headaches (for example, migraine headaches).

    How are tension headaches diagnosed?

    Tension headaches are diagnosed based on the patient's reported history of the headache and physical examination. There is no test to specifically confirm tension headache. Because the physical examination in patients with tension headache is generally normal, additional testing such as CT scan or MRI scan usually isn't required. Some basic blood work may be done to confirm that no underlying abnormality is present.

    What is the treatment for tension headache?

    Treatment for tension headaches include prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, combination drugs containing aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine, and stress management.

    Learn more about: aspirin

    Prescription medications for tension headaches

    If a diagnosis of chronic tension headache is made or suspected, prescription medications may be used in an effort to lessen the frequency and decrease the severity of the headaches. Medications used include antidepressants and antiseizure agents; a physician can help determine which agent is best for a patient.

    OTC drugs for tension headaches

    Many people treat tension headache on their own, using OTC (over-the-counter) medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), or combination medications containing acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine (Excedrin). While these medications can be effective and when taken as directed are safe for most people, overuse can lead to headaches which are more frequent and severe. This can occur if these agents are used more than 2 days each week routinely. If tension headache occurs during pregnancy, the patient should contact her physician about medications that are safe to use.

    Learn more about: Tylenol

    • Products which contain aspirin should not be given to children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
    • Chronic use of acetaminophen, or use of acetaminophen in large amounts may lead to liver toxicity (current recommended maximal dose is 3 grams per 24 hours), and a number of medications are combined with acetaminophen so patients should discuss all OTC drugs they are taking with their doctors.

    Managing stress

    For people who experience recurrent tension headache, stress management techniques have been an effective way of helping to decrease headache frequency and severity. This can include regular exercise, deep breathing techniques, and relaxation training. Other non-medicinal approaches can include massage therapy, heat, ice, or acupuncture. Learning to identify stressful situations which trigger headache and taking steps to avoid these is also a useful strategy for many individuals.

    What causes tension headaches?

    The exact cause of tension headache isn't known; and many factors probably play a role in why people develop headache. These factors may include:

    • lack of sleep,
    • skipping meals, or
    • increased stress (leading to a frequent description of these headaches as stress headaches).

    Underlying diseases or conditions may frequently cause a headache, for example:

    • eye strain,
    • muscular tension caused by poor posture,
    • over exertion, or
    • anxiety.

    In children, headache may be seen as a response to changes in school or home situations such as:

    • a new sibling,
    • testing at school, or
    • social isolation.

    What are the symptoms of tension headache?

    Most tension headaches occur infrequently, and are usually short-lived (resolves within minutes to a few hours). In rare cases the headache may last for many days. A tension headaches that occur more than 15 days each month are referred to as chronic tension headache.

    Tension headache pain
    • The pain of chronic tension headache tends to wax and wane in severity.
    • The pain associated with tension headache typically impacts the whole head, but may begin in the back of the head or above the eyebrows.
    • Some people experience a cap or band-like sensation which encircles their skull, while others describe their pain as a muscle tension in their neck or shoulder regions.
    • The pain is frequently described as constant and pressure-like.
    • The pain tends to come on gradually and even at maximum intensity is not incapacitating.
    • Most people who have a tension headache are able to continue their daily activities despite the pain.
    Other tension headache symptoms
    • In some cases, people with tension headache report some sensitivity to light or sound.
    Are tension headaches associated with symptoms of other types of headache?

    Tension headaches are not associated with nausea or vomiting, and do not have symptoms like flashing lights, blind spots, or numbness or weakness of the arms or legs which precede the headache. These symptoms can help distinguish tension headaches from other types of headaches (for example, migraine headaches).

    How are tension headaches diagnosed?

    Tension headaches are diagnosed based on the patient's reported history of the headache and physical examination. There is no test to specifically confirm tension headache. Because the physical examination in patients with tension headache is generally normal, additional testing such as CT scan or MRI scan usually isn't required. Some basic blood work may be done to confirm that no underlying abnormality is present.

    What is the treatment for tension headache?

    Treatment for tension headaches include prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, combination drugs containing aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine, and stress management.

    Learn more about: aspirin

    Prescription medications for tension headaches

    If a diagnosis of chronic tension headache is made or suspected, prescription medications may be used in an effort to lessen the frequency and decrease the severity of the headaches. Medications used include antidepressants and antiseizure agents; a physician can help determine which agent is best for a patient.

    OTC drugs for tension headaches

    Many people treat tension headache on their own, using OTC (over-the-counter) medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), or combination medications containing acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine (Excedrin). While these medications can be effective and when taken as directed are safe for most people, overuse can lead to headaches which are more frequent and severe. This can occur if these agents are used more than 2 days each week routinely. If tension headache occurs during pregnancy, the patient should contact her physician about medications that are safe to use.

    Learn more about: Tylenol

    • Products which contain aspirin should not be given to children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
    • Chronic use of acetaminophen, or use of acetaminophen in large amounts may lead to liver toxicity (current recommended maximal dose is 3 grams per 24 hours), and a number of medications are combined with acetaminophen so patients should discuss all OTC drugs they are taking with their doctors.

    Managing stress

    For people who experience recurrent tension headache, stress management techniques have been an effective way of helping to decrease headache frequency and severity. This can include regular exercise, deep breathing techniques, and relaxation training. Other non-medicinal approaches can include massage therapy, heat, ice, or acupuncture. Learning to identify stressful situations which trigger headache and taking steps to avoid these is also a useful strategy for many individuals.

    Source: http://www.rxlist.com

    Treatment for tension headaches include prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, combination drugs containing aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine, and stress management.

    Learn more about: aspirin

    Source: http://www.rxlist.com

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