Description

A tension-type headache causes mild to moderate pain that is often described as feeling like a tight band around the head. A tension-type headache is the most common type of headache, but its causes are not well understood.

The treatments are available. The management of a tension-type headache is often a balance between the practice of healthy habits, finding effective non-drug treatments and the appropriate use of medicines.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a tension-type headache include:

  • Dull headache.
  • The feeling of tightness or pressure in the forehead or on the sides and the back of the head.
  • Tenderness in the scalp, neck and shoulder muscles.

Tension-type headaches are divided into two main categories — episodic and chronic.

Episodic tension-type headaches

Episodic tension-type headaches can last from 30 minutes a week. Frequent episodic tension-type headaches occur less than 15 days per month for at least three months. This type of headache can become chronic.

Chronic tension-type headaches

This type of tension-type headache lasts for hours and can be constant. Chronic tension-type headaches occur 15 or more days per month for at least three months.

Tension-type headaches vs. migraines

Tension-type headaches can be difficult to distinguish from migraine headaches. And if you have the frequent episodic tension-type headaches, you can also have migraines.

But unlike some forms of migraine, tension-type headaches usually not associated with visual disturbances such as seeing spots or flashes of light. People with tension-type headaches as well often do not experience nausea or vomiting with a headache. While physical activity tends to make the pain of migraine is worse, does not affect the tension-type headache. Sometimes a tension-type headache occurs with the sensitivity to light or sound,but this symptom is not common.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a health care professional

Consult your health care professional if you need to take medicine for tension-type headaches more than twice a week. Also make an appointment if tension-type headaches disrupt your life.

Even if you have a history of headaches, see your health care professional if the pain of head changes in the pattern. Also consult with your health care professional if your headaches, it suddenly feels different. Sometimes, the headaches may be caused by a serious medical condition. These may include a tumor in the brain or the rupture of a weakened blood vessel, known as an aneurysm.

When to seek emergency help

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms:

  • A sudden severe headache.
  • Headache with fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking.
  • Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse.

Causes

The cause of tension-type headaches is not known. In the past, experts thought tension-type headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the face, the neck and the scalp. They thought that the muscular contractions that were the result of the emotions, the tension or stress. But the research suggests that the muscle contraction is not the cause.

The most common theory is that people who have tension-type headaches have increased sensitivity to pain. Muscle pain, a common symptom of tension-type headaches may be the result of this sensitized pain system.

Triggers

Stress is the most commonly reported trigger for tension-type headaches.

Risk factors

The majority of people experience a tension-type headache at some point in their lives. However, some research has found that women are more likely to have frequent episodic tension-type headache and chronic tension-type headaches. The age can also be a factor. A study found that the episodic tension-type headaches were more likely to affect people in their 40 years of age.

Complications

Due to tension-type headaches are so common, can have an effect on the labour productivity and the quality of life, particularly if they are chronic. Frequent headaches can make it difficult to attend the activities. You might need to stay home from work. If you go to your job, it can be difficult to operate as usual.

Prevention

Regular exercise can help prevent tension-type headaches. Other techniques can also help, such as:

  • Biofeedback training. This training teaches you to control certain responses in the body which help to reduce the pain. A device that monitors and gives his opinion on the muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure. You then learn how to reduce muscle tension and slow the heart rate and breathing.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy can help you to learn how to manage stress. This can help you to have fewer or less painful headaches.
  • Other relaxation techniques. Anything that helps you relax can help with the headaches. This may include deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation. You can learn these methods in the classroom or at home with books, or apps.

The use of the medication, along with the management of stress may be more effective than any treatment in the reduction of tension-type headaches.

Also, a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent headaches:

  • Get enough, but not too much, sleep.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Stay physically active.
  • Eat balanced meals.
  • Drink lots of water.
  • Limit the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and sugar.

Diagnosis

If you have regular headaches, your health care professional may give you a physical and a neurological examination. Your health care professional working to identify the type and cause of your headaches using these methods.

Your pain description

Your doctor can learn a lot about their headaches from the information that you provide about the pain. Be sure to include the following details:

  • Pain in the description. The pain is throbbing? Is constant and boring? It is sharp or stabbing?
  • The intensity of the pain. A good indicator of the intensity of the pain is how much you are able to do during the headache. They are able to work? What headaches you wake up or keeps you from sleeping?
  • Pain in the place. Do you feel pain all over your head? Is the pain on one side of your head? Or is the pain in the forehead or behind the eyes?

Imaging tests

Your doctor may order tests to rule out serious causes of headache, such as a tumor. Two imaging tests are:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An mri was performed using a powerful magnet and computer-generated radio waves to create images of your brain.
  • The computed tomography (CT). A ct scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles. Creates cross-sectional images to provide a detailed view of your brain.

Treatment

Some people with tension-type headaches did not see a health care professional and deal with pain on their own. But the repeated use of the analgesics available without a prescription can cause another type of headache is known as medication overuse headache. Your health care professional can work with you to find the right treatment for your headaches.

Medications to take during a tension-type headache

There are several medications that can help reduce the pain of a headache. Included are drugs that you can buy at the drugstore without a prescription and medicines available on prescription.

  • Pain relievers. Painkillers available without prescription are usually the first line of treatment to reduce the pain of headaches. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
  • The combination of drugs. Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), or both are often combined with caffeine or a sedative in a single of the medicine. The combination of drugs may be more effective than a single ingredient in pain relievers. Many combinations of drugs are available without a prescription.
  • The triptans. For people who experience migraine and episodic tension-type headaches, a triptan can effectively relieve the pain of headaches.

Prescription opioids are rarely used due to its side effects and potential for dependence.

Preventive medications

Your health care professional may prescribe medicines help you have fewer headaches or headaches that are less painful. Preventive medications can help if you have regular headaches that are not relieved with pain medication and other therapies.

Preventive medications may include:

  • The tricyclic antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants are the most commonly used medications to prevent tension-type headaches. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor), and protriptyline. These drugs can cause side effects such as constipation, drowsiness and dry mouth.
  • Other antidepressants. The antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and mirtazapine (Remeron) can also help to prevent tension-type headaches.
  • Anti-seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. The anti-seizure medicines gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax, Qsymia, others) may help to prevent the headache. But more studies are needed to understand how they work in order to avoid tension-type headaches. The muscle relaxant tizanidine (Zanaflex) may also be used for prevention.

It may take several weeks or more for preventive medication to build up in your system and take effect.

Your health care professional to monitor your treatment to see how the preventive medicine is working. In the meantime, the excessive use of painkillers can interfere with the effects of the preventive medications. Ask your health care professional about how often the use of pain relievers while you are taking preventive medicine.

Alternative medicine

These non-traditional therapies can help if you have tension-type headache:

  • Acupuncture. Acupuncture may provide temporary relief from chronic headache pain. Acupuncture involves the use of very thin, disposable needles that usually causes a bit of pain or discomfort. Acupuncture is typically safe when done by an experienced acupuncturist, which follows the safety guidelines and uses sterile needles.
  • The massage. Massage can help to reduce stress and relieve tension. It is especially effective to relieve tight, tender muscles in the back of the head, neck and shoulders. For some people, it can also provide relief from headaches.
  • Deep breathing, biofeedback, and behavior therapies. These techniques and therapies that may be useful to deal with the tension-type headaches.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Rest, ice or a long hot shower can be all you need to relieve a tension-type headache. If you experience chronic tension-type headaches, these strategies can help you reduce the amount that you can have or how painful are:

  • Manage your stress level. One way to help reduce stress is by planning ahead and organizing your day. Another way is to give you more time to relax.
  • Go hot or cold. Apply heat or ice — whichever you prefer — for the pain in the muscles can help to decrease the tension in a type of headache. For the heat, use a heating pad set on low, a hot-water bottle, a heating pad or a hot towel. A hot bath or shower can also help. To the cold, wrap ice, a bag of ice or frozen vegetables in a cloth to protect your skin.
  • Perfect your posture. A good posture can help keep the muscles tension. When standing, keep your shoulders back and your head level. Pull in the abdomen and buttocks. When sitting, make sure your thighs are parallel to the floor and his head fell forward.

Coping and support

Chronic pain can cause anxiety and depression. It can also affect your relationships, your productivity and the quality of your life.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Talk with a counselor or therapist. Psychotherapy can help you to deal with the effects of chronic pain.
  • Join a support group. Support groups can be good sources of information and a source of comfort. Group members often know about the latest treatments. Your doctor may be able to recommend a group in your area.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your health care professional. Or you may be referred to a specialist with experience in the nervous system, known as a neurologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms , including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information , including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For tension-type headaches, some basic questions to ask your health care professional include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional may ask you several questions, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid doing anything that seems to make your symptoms worse.

Symptoms and treatment of Tension-type headache