Tension type headaches: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of tension type headache

Tension type headaches or tension headache is a type of headache that produces a tense sensation such as the head being pressed by a heavy object or being wrapped tightly with a rubber band. These tension headaches can also be referred to as stress headaches.

Quoted from Medline Plus, tension headaches will feel like pain, tightness, or there is pressure around the forehead or back of the head and neck. Some people say that the sensation of a tension headache feels like a squeezing of the skull.

Tension headaches are usually not associated with visual disturbances, nausea, or vomiting. Even if your head hurts, this condition will not stop you from doing your daily activities, nor will it affect your vision, balance, or body strength.

Types tension headache

In general, tension headaches are divided into two types, namely episodic and chronic tension headaches. Description of each type tension headache these are:

1. Tension headache episodic type

Episodic tension headaches per one attack lasts from 30 minutes which may recur for up to a week. However, attacks can occur in less than 15 days in a month or at least three months.

The onset of pain will start gradually, often in the middle of the day.

2. Chronic tension headache

Tension headache are attacks of tension headaches that can last for hours and may continue. If you have a headache for more than 15 days or at most 3 months, it is considered chronic.

The headache may appear stronger or subside throughout the day, but it is almost always there.

How common is this condition?

Tension headache is the most common type of headache.

You can prevent this condition by avoiding the risk factors. Discuss further with your doctor.

Signs & symptoms of tension-type headaches

What are the possible symptoms?

Some of the common symptoms that often occur when experiencing tension headaches are alias tension type headache is:

• Mild to moderate pain, or pressure on the front, top, or side of the head.
• Headaches that just appear in the afternoon.
• It's hard to sleep.
• Fatigue.
• Get angry faster.
• Difficulty focusing.
• It hurts more in certain areas, such as the scalp, temples, back of the neck, and may be felt in the shoulders.
• The pain may occur only once, continuously, or days. Starting from just 30 minutes or it can last up to seven days.
• Muscle ache.

Unlike migraine headaches, you will not have other neurological symptoms, such as muscle weakness or blurred vision when you have tension headaches.

Tension headaches also do not increase sensitivity to light and sound, nor do they trigger abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting such as migraines.

When to see a doctor?

Tell your doctor right away if you experience tension headaches with the following characteristics:

• The pain is very intense and you have never felt before.
• Pain that suddenly attacks the area of ​​the head.
• Pain followed by confusion and difficulty understanding what other people are saying.
• Fainting or loss of consciousness.
• High fever, higher than 39-40 degrees Celsius.
• Stiff neck.
• Impaired vision so it's difficult to see something.
• Impaired speech or walking.
• Nausea and vomiting, unless you have a cold or are drunk.

If you experience the above symptoms or other symptoms that you think are worrying, you should consult your doctor or nearest health service center.

Usually headaches are harmless and can resolve on their own over time. However, some cases can be a sign of a more serious illness, such as headaches, which can indicate a brain tumor or stroke.

Causes of tension type headaches

There is no single specific cause for the appearance of tension-type headaches.

Most people experience this condition due to stress or emotional stress in their daily life.

Others experience tension headaches due to tight muscles in the back of the neck and scalp. Several causes of muscle tension around the neck and head are triggers tension type headache is:

• Habit of consuming alcohol.
• The eyes work so hard they feel tired.
• Dry eyes.
• The body is too tired.
• Smoking habits.
• Fever or flu that you are currently experiencing.
• Sinus infection.
• Caffeine.
• The habit of practicing bad posture.
• Lack of mineral water intake.
• Lack of sleep.
• The habit of skipping the obligation to eat.

On the other hand, the causes of tension headaches are often unclear. However, this type of headache does not run in families.

If you want to find out more about the causes of tension headaches, consult your doctor further.

Risk factors for tension-type headaches

Basically everyone has the opportunity to experience tension headaches. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing it. Trigger factors tension headache It is:

1. Gender

Tension type headaches are the most common type of primary headache, and are more common in women than in men.

2. Increasing age

Tension type headaches are quite common, especially in adults. However, it is rare for a new case to appear after the age of 50 years.

The prevalence of the occurrence of tension-type headaches tends to decrease with age.

3. Other health problems

Other factors associated with the tendency for tension-type headaches, especially the chronic ones, are having headaches at the base of the skull, migraines, and sleep disturbances. In addition, obesity, lack of exercise and smoking have also been reported as independent risk factors.

Diagnosis & Treatment of tension-type headaches

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do you diagnose it?

Generally, doctors will easily know the type of headache you are experiencing only from a description of the location of the pain, accompanying symptoms, a description of the pain you are experiencing, to the time and duration of the pain.

However, if your headache cannot be diagnosed right away, you may be asked to do tests as recommended by your doctor. For example, blood tests, X-rays, scan brain like CT scan or an MRI examination.

How to treat tension type headaches?

Medicinal uses for tension headaches include the use of prescription drugs, over-the-counter pain relievers, combination drugs containing aspirin, paracetamol, caffeine, stress management techniques, and home remedies.

1. Pain relievers

You can buy over-the-counter pain relievers at drugstores or pharmacies, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

However, if the pain is severe, the doctor will usually prescribe pain medication such as naproxen, indomethacin, and ketorolac.

You may also be prescribed a combination drug that combines aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine or a sedative in one dose. Usually, combination drugs tend to be more effective than single medications at relieving pain.

Combination drugs can also be purchased over the counter at pharmacies.

2. Triptans and narcotics

Treatment for tension headache which occurs with a migraine is a triptan drug. However, opiates or narcotics, including drugs that are rarely used because of dependence effects.

Home remedies for tension-type headaches

Not only with headache medication, you can also treat tension headaches by doing natural home treatments.

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you cope tension type headache (tension headaches):

• Performing alternative therapies such as hot compresses or ice packs can be of great benefit to some individuals who experience tension headaches.
• Avoid caffeinated drinks or foods.
• Eating healthy foods to relieve headaches, such as those rich in omega-3s, may reduce pain.
• The smell of lavender oil can help reduce headache pain.
• Head massage is one treatment option that is very easy to perform and can provide significant relief.
• Doing sports that focus on certain movements that can improve posture has proven to be quite effective in reducing the frequency of headaches due to stress.
• Manage daily stress, such as practicing deep breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, acupuncture.

Prevention for tension headaches

There are various ways you can prevent tension headaches from occurring. Apart from doing regular exercise, you can also do relaxation therapy to prevent the stress that triggers headaches.

Relaxation techniques that can help prevent tension headaches

Some of the techniques that can be done:

• Training biofeedback . Techniques that control certain body responses to reduce pain such as tension headaches. You will learn how to reduce muscle tension.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy. Talk therapy, which can help you learn to manage stress, thereby reducing the frequency of headache severity.
• Other relaxation techniques such as breathing, yoga, meditation, and muscle relaxation.

Support with a healthy lifestyle

Not only by doing relaxation therapy, you can of course take other precautions by living a healthy lifestyle, such as:

• Get enough sleep.
• Get regular exercise.
• Avoid or quit when you smoke.
• Eat regularly with the right portion is also balanced.
• Limit your intake of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.

Medicines that help prevent tension headaches

You can also take medications that can prevent tension-type headaches. Usually this drug is used to reduce the frequency and severity of headache attacks, especially if the headache is chronic.

Here are some preventative drugs that you can use.

Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressant drugs are one type of antidepressant drug that you can use to prevent tension headaches. However, usually the use of drugs can have side effects. Side effects include constipation, easy drowsiness, and dry mouth.

There are also other antidepressant drugs that can be used to prevent headaches, such as venlafaxine and mirtazapine.

To get the most of its benefits, you may have to use it every day. Even if you don't feel tension headaches. This can gradually help you reduce your use of the drugs over time.

Muscle relaxants

If medications for tension headaches don't work, you may be able to take medications, such as topiramate, to prevent tension-type headaches.

Even so, more research is needed to determine whether the use of this drug is effective.

It may take several weeks for you to benefit from these medications. Therefore, don't give up easily if you haven't seen too big a change when you first started using the drug.

To find out how to deal with further headaches, you can consult a doctor.