Tension Headache

Headaches that feel like a tight band around your head are called tension headaches. They're the most common type of headache, but exactly why they happen isn't fully known. The pain is usually mild to moderate.

There are ways to deal with tension headaches. It often involves a combination of healthy lifestyle choices, things you can do without medicine, and using medicine when needed.

Tension headaches are common and often cause a dull, aching pain that feels like tightness or pressure around the head, especially in the forehead, temples, or back of the head. You might also feel tenderness in your scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles.

These headaches are usually categorized into two types: episodic and chronic.

• Episodic tension headaches: These are the more common type and typically last anywhere from half an hour to a whole week. You experience these headaches less than 15 days a month for at least three months. If you have frequent episodic tension headaches, they could potentially turn into chronic headaches.

• Chronic tension headaches: These headaches happen 15 or more days a month for at least three months and can last for hours, sometimes even constantly.

It can be tricky to tell tension headaches apart from migraines. Sometimes people with frequent tension headaches also have migraines. A key difference is that tension headaches are usually not linked with visual problems like seeing bright spots or flashing lights, nor with nausea or vomiting. Unlike migraines, tension headaches are usually not worsened by physical activity. While some people with tension headaches might be sensitive to light or sound, this isn't a typical symptom.

If you find yourself needing pain medication for tension headaches more than twice a week, or if these headaches are disrupting your daily life, see a doctor. Even if you've had headaches before, make an appointment if the pattern changes or if your headaches suddenly feel different. This is important because headaches can sometimes be a sign of a more serious medical problem, such as a brain tumor or a weakened blood vessel (aneurysm).

Seek immediate medical attention (emergency care) if you experience:

• A sudden, very severe headache.
• A headache accompanied by a fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking.
• A headache after a head injury, especially if the pain worsens.

These symptoms could indicate a serious medical condition requiring prompt treatment. It's always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to severe headaches.

If you're taking medicine for tension headaches more than twice a week, or if these headaches are significantly affecting your daily life, schedule a visit with your doctor.

Even if you've had headaches before, see a doctor if your headaches start to change in any way. This includes noticing a change in how the headaches feel. Sometimes, headaches can be a sign of a serious medical problem. Examples of these serious conditions include a brain tumor or a burst blood vessel in the brain (called an aneurysm).

Seek immediate medical attention (emergency care) if you experience any of these symptoms:

• A sudden, extremely intense headache.
• A headache accompanied by a fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, blurred vision, weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking.
• A headache following a head injury, especially if the headache worsens.

In these situations, a headache could be a sign of a serious medical issue that needs immediate attention. It's always better to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor if you're concerned about your headache.

Tension headaches, a common type of headache, don't have a single, known cause. Previously, doctors believed tight muscles in the face, neck, and scalp were the problem, thinking stress or emotional tension caused these muscle knots. However, recent studies suggest this isn't the whole story.

Now, the leading idea is that people with tension headaches have a heightened sensitivity to pain. This increased sensitivity might be the reason for muscle soreness, which is often a symptom of these headaches. In simpler terms, their pain system is more easily triggered.

While the exact cause isn't clear, stress is a very common factor that can lead to a tension headache. This means stress can make the pain signal stronger for people who are already more sensitive to pain.

Many people get tension headaches at some point. Studies show that women tend to have more frequent and ongoing tension headaches compared to men. Age also seems to be a factor. One research project found that people in their 40s are more likely to experience tension headaches that come and go (episodic).

Tension headaches are very common, and this can significantly affect how well people do their jobs and how happy they are overall, especially if the headaches happen often. Having headaches frequently can make it difficult to participate in everyday activities. People might have to miss work, and even if they go to work, it might be hard to focus and do their job properly.

Headaches, especially tension headaches, can be eased and even prevented. Regular exercise is a big help. There are other strategies that can also work:

Talking Therapies (like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): These therapies can teach you ways to manage stress. Learning to manage stress can lead to fewer and less intense headaches.

Combining Treatments: Sometimes, the best approach is to combine stress management techniques with medication. This combination often works better than using just one method to reduce tension headaches.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Making healthy choices can also help prevent headaches.

• Sleep: Aim for a good amount of sleep, but avoid oversleeping. Getting enough rest is important for overall health and headache prevention.
• Smoking: Don't smoke. Smoking is bad for your health in many ways, including potentially contributing to headaches.
• Physical Activity: Staying active is crucial for your well-being and can help prevent headaches. Even moderate activity is beneficial.
• Nutrition: Eating balanced meals regularly is important for your overall health, which can help with headaches.
• Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is essential for your body's functions and can help reduce headache frequency.
• Moderation: Limit alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks. These substances can sometimes trigger or worsen headaches.

By combining regular exercise with stress management techniques and a healthy lifestyle, you can improve your chances of preventing and reducing tension headaches.

If you have frequent headaches, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and a neurological exam. These exams help them figure out what kind of headache you have and what might be causing it.

Your doctor needs information from you to understand your headaches better. Tell them:

• How the pain feels: Is it a throbbing pain? A constant, dull ache? A sharp, stabbing pain? The more detail you give, the better.
• How intense the pain is: Think about how your headache affects your daily life. Can you work? Does it keep you up at night or prevent you from sleeping? This helps gauge the severity.
• Where the pain is located: Does it hurt all over your head? Just one side? Is it focused on your forehead, behind your eyes, or elsewhere? Precise descriptions are helpful.

Sometimes, your doctor might order tests to make sure there's no serious problem causing your headaches, like a brain tumor. Two common tests are:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI uses a strong magnet and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your brain. It's a safe and common way to look inside the brain.
• Computed Tomography (CT): A CT scan combines many X-ray images to create cross-sectional views of your brain. This creates a detailed picture of the brain's structure. CT scans are often used to look for immediate problems like bleeding in the brain.