Tension Headache

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Tension headaches are very common and are most likely in adults and adolescents. A tension headache is where there is muscle tightness in certain areas in the head, scalp or neck accompanied by pain or discomfort in the same place.

Chronic tension headache often recurs daily and is associated with contracted muscles of the neck and scalp. This type of headache is bilateral and usually occipitofrontal.

Causes of of Tension headache

Stress may cause contraction of neck and scalp muscles, although no evidence confirms that the origin of pain is sustained muscle contraction.

• Stress and/or anxiety

• Poor posture

• Depression

How Are Tension Headaches Treated?

Treatment for this type of headache usually includes nonprescription pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Prescription medications (antidepressants, for example) may be needed in some cases.

Therapies such as stress management or biofeedback may be used in an effort to reduce or prevent tension headaches.

Prognosis of Tension headache

Tension headaches that do not occur as a symptom of another condition may be painful, but are not harmful. It is usually possible to receive relief from treatment. Tension headaches that occur as a symptom of another condition are usually relieved when the underlying condition is treated. Frequent use of pain medications in patients with tension-type headache may lead to the development of medication overuse headache or rebound headache.