Diagnosis and treatment of tension headaches

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A tension headache is a dull, tight pain around the forehead or back of the head and neck. Some people say tension headaches feel like they're being squeezed by a clamp on the skull. This condition is also known as stress headache and is very common in adults.

1. Characteristics of tension headaches

The primary feature is that headaches can last from 30 minutes to several days, divided into two types:
Tension headaches episodic: Occurring less than 15 days per month. Usually begins slowly and appears mid-day. Chronic tension headaches: Occurs more than 15 days a month. The pain may get stronger or lessen during the day, but it never completely goes away and lasts a long time. People with tension headaches can still perform daily activities and do not affect vision, balance, or strength.
Features of this type of headache are as follows:
Begins at the back of the head and spreads forward Creates a dull pressure or tightening pain around the entire head Affects both sides of the head Causes The muscles in the neck, shoulders and jaw are also tight and painful Common symptoms include:
Mild to moderate pain or feeling of tightness in the front, top, or sides of the head Headache that occurs present late in the day Difficulty sleeping Feeling very tired Irritability Difficulty concentrating Somewhat sensitive to light or noise Muscle pain. Unlike migraines, people with tension headaches will not have other neurological symptoms, such as muscle weakness or blurred vision. The features of tension headaches are therefore quite recognizable.

2. Causes of tension headaches

There are many causes of tension headaches. This condition is not passed down among family members. Some people have this condition because the muscles at the back of the neck and scalp are tight, causing a headache at the back of the neck.
Most cases of tension headaches are triggered by stress from work, school, family, friends or social relationships. Cluster headaches are often triggered by a certain stressful situation or long-standing pent-up stress. Daily stress can lead to chronic headaches.
Triggers of tension headaches can include:
Not getting enough rest Poor posture Emotional or mental stress, including depression Anxiety disorders Fatigue Fatigue Low iron levels Alcohol Caffeine Jaw or tooth problems Eye fatigue Dehydration Skipping meals Smoking Colds, flu, or sinus infections. Up to 80% of adults in the United States experience tension headaches from time to time. About 3% of daily chronic tension headaches. It is estimated that women are twice as likely to have the disease as men.
Most people with cluster tension headaches only suffer 1-2 times per month, but it can also happen more often. Many people with chronic illnesses often suffer from headaches in the back of their necks for more than 60-90 days.

3. Diagnosing Tension Headaches

See your doctor if you have frequent, severe headaches, or if headaches interfere with daily living. Call 911 for a sudden and severe headache or pain that makes your face droop, causes weakness or numbness, makes it hard to speak, see, or think.
The doctor can make a diagnosis based on symptoms and some medical questions as follows:
Where does your head hurt? How does the pain feel? When do you have a headache? How long does the pain last? Do headaches affect your daily life? Do headaches keep you awake? Are you under stress, stress? Have you ever had a head injury? Has your behavior or personality changed? Your doctor may also do some tests to rule out other conditions. Such as blood tests, imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to see pictures of the inside of the head.

4. Treating Tension Headaches

It's best to treat tension headaches at the outset, while the symptoms are still mild. The goal is to ease the pain and prevent more pain from occurring.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are often the first line of treatment for tension headaches. People with chronic conditions can use certain OTC medications to prevent headaches. But do not abuse the drug to avoid recurrent headaches.
Common over-the-counter drug treatments are:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) If over-the-counter pain relievers don't If it works, your doctor may prescribe a stronger medication such as:
Indomethacin (Indocin, Indochron E-R) Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Oruvail) Ketorolac (Toradol) Naproxen (Naprelan, Naprosyn) Sometimes you are also referred muscle relaxants such as:
Cyclobenzaprine (Amrix, Fexmid, Flexeril) Methocarbamol (Robaxin)

Several other medications can help keep you from getting tension headaches. If you take the medicine every day, even without pain, you will get well soon without using too much of it. Your doctor may prescribe:
Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and protriptyline (Vivactil) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) including fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), or venlafaxine (Effexor) Anti-seizure medications such as topiramate (Topamax) It should be noted that these drugs do not cure headaches, and over time pain relievers and other medicines may not be as effective as they were at first. Furthermore, all drugs have side effects if you take them regularly, discuss them with your doctor to analyze the pros and cons. You still need to identify and deal with the real causes of your headaches.
Some studies have found that there are dietary supplements that are also effective against migraines and prevent tension headaches. These supplements include:
Butterbur, Herb (Feverfew) Magnesium Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) Coenzyme Q10 Don't forget to consult your doctor before starting any supplement.
To make headaches less severe or less frequent, find ways to relax and manage stress, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, physical therapy, deep breathing, meditation, and yoga. You also need to learn how to make more scientific lifestyle changes, such as planning and organizing work, resting and making time for your hobbies, and exercising regularly.
Importantly, you need to take the initiative to see a doctor for examination and appropriate indications for your current health status.
Has achieved many achievements and is highly appreciated by both professionals and customers for its medical quality and patient care services. Neurology Specialist - Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious address that you and your loved ones can choose when in need of a health check.
Specialist in Neurology and Clinical Medicine, holds specialized functions in the examination and treatment of diseases related to the central nervous system (skull, meninges, brain, cerebral blood vessels, nerves, etc.) nerves in the skull, pituitary gland, spine, discs, spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord). Therefore, the department always receives and handles all problems related to headaches in particular and neurological diseases in general.
The examination and treatment is always performed by a team of doctors and experts with many years of experience combined with a system of modern equipment and machines. Therefore, customers can be assured of the quality of examination at Vinmec.

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Reference source: webmd.com