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Tension headache: an overview of information
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Tension headache is the predominant form of primary headache, manifested by cephalic episodes lasting from several minutes to several days. The pain is usually bilateral, compressive or pressing, light or moderate intensity, does not increase with normal physical activity, is not accompanied by nausea, but photophobia is possible.
The prevalence during life in the general population, according to various studies, varies from 30 to 78%.
Synonyms are the headache of muscle tension, psychomyogenic headache, stress headache, psychogenic headache, idiopathic headache.
Symptoms of a tension headache
Tension headache is a non-intensive diffuse headache without loss of ability to work, without nausea or photophobia, characteristic of migraine.
Episodic tension headache is quite common; most patients feel relieved when taking OTC analgesics and do not seek medical help. In many patients with frequent episodes of tension headaches, migraine attacks can develop, and the tension headache may be an undeveloped form of [migraine forme fruste]. Frequent episodes of tension headache can be accompanied by depression, sleep disturbance and anxiety disorders.
Chronic tension headache is a frequent or prolonged low intensity episode of headaches lasting from several hours to several days. Pain is most often characterized as oppressive or constrictive, begins in the occipital or temporal areas with subsequent spread to the entire head. Tension headache is usually absent from the morning on waking and intensifies throughout the day.
Where does it hurt?
Diagnosis of tension headache
The diagnosis of tension headache is based on a characteristic clinical picture in the absence of data for CNS pathology by objective examination (including neurological examination). It is necessary to identify and eliminate potential provoking factors of chronic tension headache (in particular, sleep disturbance, stress, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, neck pain, visual fatigue).
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Who to contact?
Treatment of tension headache
The drugs used to prevent migraine, in particular amitriptilin, prevent chronic tension headaches. Given, as a rule, excessive intake of analgesics in this type of headache, it is important to use methods of behavioral therapy and psychological help (for example, relaxation, methods of managing stressful situations).