Important Facts about Tension Headaches

Tension Headaches are the most common and prevalent type of headache with nearly all people experiencing it at least once in their lifetime. Tension headaches are also known as muscle contraction or chronic daily headaches. The International Headache Society has recently renamed tension headaches as tension-type headaches. Tension headaches is characterized by pain that radiates from the neck, back, eyes, and other muscle groups of the body. Most people will suffer from tension headaches at some point in their lives as it is an ordinary ailment and may never seek medical attention at all. However, there are also patients who are suffering from severe, long-standing and difficult to treat tension headaches.

Causes of Tension Headaches

Most patients describe tension headaches as a constant and dull painful feeling on both sides of the head. There is a continuous tight feeling on the head and neck muscles. Tension headaches usually start in the middle of the day and start slowly, building up gradually. The exact cause of tension headaches is not yet known. The common belief is that tension headaches are caused by the overcontraction of the muscles covering the scalp and the back of the neck. Prolonged headache also give rise to increased muscle tension where the patients experience a continuous squeezing ache.

On the other hand, even though muscle tension is involved, there are many different forms of tension headaches and there is no single cause of it. One theory explaining tension headaches is that it may be cause by a failure in the pain filter located in the brain stem. Another theory regarding tension headaches is that it is caused by teeth clenching which causes a chronic contraction of the temporalis muscle.

Who is at risk?

Tension headaches and migraine usually afflict people suffering from anxiety and depression.  People who are stressed-out are also the main victims of tension headaches. These headaches can be episodic or chronic. Episodic tension headaches occur less than fifteen days a month while chronic tension headaches occur fifteen days or more a month for at least six months. A tension headache can last from a few minutes to days or even months. A usual case of tension headache can last somewhere between four to six months. Doctors usually diagnose tension headaches by examining the patient and hearing his description of the pain. Other tests such as blood tests, x-rays, brain scans including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are generally not necessary.

Treatment of tension headaches

For most people suffering from tension headaches, the pain gradually eases by itself and no specific treatment is necessary. Mild episodic tension headaches are treated using over-the-counter analgesic medicine such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol. Patients suffering from tension headaches must check the label and indications of over-the-counter pain relievers for possible side effects and interactions with other medicines taken. Meanwhile, patients suffering from chronic tension headaches should avoid these medications because of the risk of rebound headaches. This form of tension headaches are more difficult to treat.

The most effective way to combat tension headache that would not affect the patient’s ability to function is simply endurance. Most tension headache patients usually get relief from sleep and relaxation. Stress is believed as a primary cause of tension headaches. Thus, avoiding stressful activities and situations is an effective way to minimize tension headaces.