Knowledge
What is tension headache?
Tension headaches often sit across the head and feel oppressive or like a tight band around the head. The headache is usually triggered by tension.
Tension headaches often sit across the head and feel oppressive or like a tight band around the head. The headache is usually triggered by tension.
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Tension headaches most often sit across the head and feel oppressive or like a tight band around the head. The headache can be triggered by tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders and outside of the skull (bone structure that makes up the skeleton of the head). Some people may be more likely to develop tension headaches due to genetic factors or lifestyle conditions. It is a type of headache that often develops as a result of stress, poor posture, inappropriate postures or other reasons why muscles tense. Tension headache is the most common type of headache. Three out of four Danes have experienced tension headaches during their lives! 1.
Tension headaches are characterized by a constant, throbbing pain that may feel as if you are wearing a helmet that is too small or a tight band around the head that tightens during the day! 2. The pain is typically mild to moderate and most often appears on both sides of the head (as opposed to migraines, which is most often one-sided), and it can last anywhere from half an hour to several days. Symptoms can vary from person to person, but common to most people is a feeling of tightness or pressure over the forehead and/or in the temples.
Symptoms of tension headache:
Often tension headaches occur when muscle tension in the shoulders, neck or jaw escalates.
A distinction is made between episodic and chronic tension headache. Episodic tension headache occurs occasionally and is often related to periods of high stress, increased muscle tension, poor sleep, inappropriate postures, and more. Chronic headaches are persistent and may require a more comprehensive treatment strategy.
It is important to note that episodic tension headache can develop into a chronic form if left untreated. If the headache becomes a regular part of your life and you experience headaches more than 15 days a month, it may indicate a transition to chronic tension headache.
Some people with chronic tension headaches experience a feeling of soreness in the scalp, neck and shoulders, as well as general muscle tension. In addition, some with chronic tension headaches also experience sporadic soreness when touching the hair roots or by light pressure on the head.
Tension headaches can be triggered by various factors that vary from person to person. Here's a rundown of some of the most common triggers:
Understanding these triggers is an important part of managing and preventing tension headaches, which can help reduce both the frequency and intensity of seizures. In chronic tension headache, it has been shown that there has been a change in the way the nervous system perceives pain! 2.
Headache attacks of this type affect men and women almost equally frequently, while over twice as many women as men experience the chronic form - i.e. tension headaches a minimum of 15 days a month over a period of three months. In addition, genetics plays a significant role. There is three times the risk of developing the chronic variant of tension headache if close family members also suffer from the same form! 3.
Tension headaches often occur during the 20s. After the age of 40, a slightly decreasing trend is observed. Tension headaches usually appear in seizures, and about 75% of people experience this type of headache! 3.
Read Sebastian's history of tension headaches hereto.
When experiencing persistent or recurring headaches, it is important to seek professional guidance for proper diagnosis. Typically, a doctor will start with a thorough review of your medical history to provide the appropriate medical treatment. Read more about how to prepare for the doctor's consultation hereto. Your description of the headache, its duration, intensity, and location is essential to distinguish tension headache from other headache types, such as migraines. Often, advanced tests such as blood tests or brain scans are not needed to diagnose tension headaches unless the doctor wants to rule out other medical conditions.
In episodic tension headache, common pain medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol may be sufficient medical treatment to relieve the pain. If, on the other hand, the headache escalates in frequency, the doctor may recommend measures such as prescription drugs, physiotherapy or other types of treatment. No evidence has been found that massage has a relieving effect against tension headaches. Some patients may benefit from increased physical activity and exercise, neck and shoulder exercises, while others need rest and relaxation! 4.
Many also find relief through lifestyle changes. Regular physical activity, relaxation exercises and stress management techniques can have a positive effect on both the frequency and intensity of seizures! 5.
By identifying triggering factors and exploring treatment strategies that fit your particular needs, you can succeed in reducing your headaches. If your tension headache is taking up too much space in your life, we recommend that you talk to a doctor and explore your options for relief.
A headache diary can be a useful tool for spotting patterns in seizures and the effectiveness of treatment strategies. With detailed records of headache duration, severity and possible triggers, you can better customize treatment methods and find the most effective path to relief.
