Why tension headache

However, tension headaches can also be chronic. According to the Cleveland Clinic , chronic headaches affect about 3 percent of the U. Women are twice as likely as men to have tension headaches. Some people develop tension headaches after staring at a computer screen for a long time or after driving for long periods. Cold temperatures may also trigger a tension headache.

The pain is usually mild or moderate, but it can also be intense. In this case, you might confuse your tension headache with a migraine. This is a type of headache that causes throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head. In rare cases, a tension headache can lead to sensitivity to light and loud noise, similar to migraines.

In severe cases, your healthcare provider may run tests to rule out other problems, such as a brain tumor. Tests used to check for other conditions may include a CT scan , which uses X-rays to take pictures of your internal organs.

Your healthcare provider may also use an MRI, which allows them to examine your soft tissues. You can start by drinking more water. You may be dehydrated and need to increase your water intake. Lack of sleep can lead to tension headaches. If none of those strategies work, then you can take over-the-counter OTC pain medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin , to get rid of a tension headache.

However, these should only be used occasionally. These types of headaches occur when you become so accustomed to a medication that you experience pain when the drugs wear off. OTC drugs are sometimes not enough to treat recurring tension headaches.

In such cases, your healthcare provider may give you a prescription for medication, such as:. This is a medication that helps stop muscle contractions.

Your healthcare provider may also prescribe an antidepressant, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI. Some supplements may also help relieve tension headaches.

It may feel like a constant ache that affects both sides of the head. You may also feel the neck muscles tighten and a feeling of pressure behind the eyes. A tension headache normally is not severe enough to prevent you doing everyday activities.

It usually lasts for 30 minutes to several hours, but can last for several days. Some adults have tension-type headaches more than 15 times a month for at least 3 months in a row. There's usually no need to see a GP if you only get occasional headaches.

But see a GP if you get headaches several times a week or they're severe. They'll ask questions about your headaches, family history, diet and lifestyle to help diagnose the type of headache you have. These symptoms suggest there could be a more serious problem, which may require further investigation and emergency treatment.

The exact cause of tension-type headaches is not clear, but certain things have been known to trigger them. Tension-type headaches are known as primary headaches, which means they're not caused by an underlying condition. Other primary headaches include cluster headaches and migraines.

Tension-type headaches are not life threatening and are usually relieved by painkillers or lifestyle changes. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to help relieve pain. Aspirin may also sometimes be recommended. If you're taking these medicines, you should always follow the instructions on the packet. Paracetamol is usually the best choice if you're pregnant.

A thorough medical exam, which may include other tests or procedures, may be used to rule out underlying diseases or conditions. Tracking and sharing information about your headache with your healthcare provider helps make an accurate diagnosis.

If the history suggests tension headaches and the neurological exam is normal, no further testing may be needed. But, if the headache is not found to be the main problem, then other tests may be needed to determine the cause such as:. The goal of treatment is to stop headaches from occurring. Good headache management depends on reducing stress and tension. Some suggestions include:. Identifying and avoiding headache triggers may prevent a tension headache. Maintaining a regular sleep, exercise, and meal schedule is also helpful.

If tension headaches occur regularly or frequently, therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, or biofeedback may reduce or eliminate headaches.

Talk to your healthcare provider about medicines to prevent tension headaches. Health Home Conditions and Diseases Headache. What causes a tension headache? What are the symptoms of a tension headache? These are common symptoms of a tension headache: Slow onset of the headache Head usually hurts on both sides Pain is dull or feels like a band or vice around the head Pain may involve the back part of the head or neck Pain is usually mild to moderate, but not severe The symptoms of tension headaches may look like other conditions or medical problems.

How are tension headaches diagnosed? Questions commonly asked during the exam may include: When do headaches occur? What is the location of the headache? What do the headaches feel like? How long do the headaches last? Have there been changes in behavior or personality? Do changes in position or sitting up cause the headache?