Description

• It is the most common type of headache in adults and teens.
• It is not a serious risk to health.

Advertisement

These types of headaches are said to occur in "uptight" people with "uptight" muscles. They can also stem from eyestrain or sitting for prolonged periods in one position such as at computer or behind a steering wheel. Typically, the headache is worse towards the end of the day.

Tension-type headaches are sometimes, but not always, associated with tension or spasm in the muscles of the head, neck, face, or jaw. This may be accompanied by other symptoms of tension, palpitations, sweating and depression.

Unlike some migraine headaches, visual and nervous system symptoms (such as flashing lights, distorted vision, tingling or numbness in the face or hands) do not occur prior to the onset of the headaches.

Many people have occasional or episodic tension-type headaches (less than 15 per month). If you have 15 or more headaches per month for at least 6 months, you have a chronic tension-type headache problem.

Cause

• Anxiety or depression
• Problems with family, work, school, or other stress-provoking situations
• Lack of sleep or relaxation
• Excessive glare
• Neck strain from poor posture, work environment, or injury
• Strain in the chewing muscles of the jaw from grinding or clenching the teeth.

Symptoms

• Steady, dull headache that slowly becomes worse. It is usually associated with a feeling of fullness, tightness, or pressure. Some people claim that it feels as if their head is being squeezed in a vice or that there is a tight band around the head. The pain may vary throughout the day.
• The pain usually occurs on both sides of the head, including the neck and temple area. In rare episodes it may be on one side of the head or in one small, well-defined area of the head.
• The headache may last from one hour to a full day or may be present for many days. It often starts soon after a person gets up in the morning, although it seldom wakes the person or disturbs his/her sleep. Headaches which disturb sleep may be related to anxiety or depression.

• Tenderness of the scalp
• Pain, stiffness, or tightness in the neck, upper back, or shoulder muscles
• Fatigue, tiredness, dizziness
• Sensitivity to light or sound. This is more typical of migraine headache and is usually milder in a person with a tension-type headache.
• Nausea or loss of appetite if the headache is severe. Vomiting may be more likely if a person has a mixed tension-type and migraine headache.
• Depression is common in chronic tension-type headaches. Some doctors think that depression may be the result of a chronic headache pain rather its cause. Anxiety is common in people who have recently started experiencing tension-type headaches.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Medication

• Pain relievers taken to relieve headache pain or stop the headache while it is still in the early stages
• Antidepressants and other medications taken continuously to prevent headaches

Occasional mild or moderate tension headaches can often be controlled with nonprescription (OTC) pain relievers and home treatment. Painkillers such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen usually treat a tension headache adequately. Medicine to prevent the condition should be considered if tension headaches occur more than twice a week or for more than two days. A tricyclic antidepressant is the drug of choice for prophylaxis of tension headaches. Chronic tension headaches are often best managed with a combination of home treatment, antidepressants and pain relievers. Although muscle relaxants may be helpful, they are not generally satisfactory for long-term use. You may need to take a trial-and-error approach in finding a drug therapy that works. If one drug or drug combination doesn't work or has too many side effects, another will be tried until you and your doctor establish one that works for you.

Other

• At the first sign of a headache, try to go to a quiet, dark place and relax.
• Apply heat to the painful area with a heating pad, warm shower, or hot water bottle.
• Have someone gently massage your neck and shoulder muscles, or give yourself a massage.
• Practice a relaxation exercise such as progressive muscle relaxation or roll breathing.
• Take a break from whatever is causing a tension headache. Take a 5-minute walk or a stretch break, or find a place to lie down and take some deep breaths.

It is important to keep a headache diary which will identify possible triggers.

If the headache is caused by poor posture which puts unnecessary strain on muscles, a chiropractor could remove this strain through spinal manipulation and treatment.

Biofeedback can be very effective if you are very interested in controlling the problem and motivated to learn and continue using the technique.

Other treatments, such as cognitive therapy (a type of psychotherapy or counseling), may also determine how often tension-type headaches occur and how long they last. The type of cognitive therapy most often used teaches one to recognize negative thoughts and reactions to situations that lead to stress and tension and to respond in ways that produce less stress. This method of teaching 'coping strategies' may work especially well in teenagers.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an investigational treatment for headache which may or may not be effective. TENS involves the stimulation of some of the nerves in the head.

Reviewed by Dr Andrew Rose-Innes, MD, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven.

Read more:
Body mirrors the mind
Revolution in migraine care
Headaches may signal a brain clot

 

Print this article

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Civil Engineering Technician Gauteng - Johannesburg Accountant Gauteng - North/Sandton Financial Manager R550,000-600,000 Per Annum Central African Republic Financial Accountant R300,000-340,000 Per Annum Gauteng Treasury Specialist R500,000-630,000 Per Annum Gauteng - East Rand Credit Manager R300,000-400,000 Per Annum Mpumalanga Financial Manager R27,000-30,000 Per Month Gauteng - North/Sandton Delphi developers Gauteng - North/Sandton Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job

Send this to a friend