What Is Tension Headache?
What is a tension headache?
One of the most common headaches experienced by adults is a tension headache or a stress headache. It is characterized by a dull pain in the head and behind the eyes, sometimes the back of the neck, and a feeling of pressure around the forehead. The person experiencing the headache feels like his head is being squeezed by a clamp. The pain is usually mild to moderate as opposed to the throbbing pain experienced during a migraine.
Why does tension headache occur?
There is no one cause for tension headaches. Numerous factors can come into play such as:
- stress related to personal and professional life
- emotional anxiety
- mental anxiety
- staring at a computer screen for a long time
- excessive smoking and drinking
- drinking too much caffeine
- depression
- exhaustion
- iron deficiency
- sinus infection
- inadequate sleep or insomnia
- hunger
- skipping meals
- fever
- cold
- flu
Tension headaches are generally of two types:
Episodic Tension Headaches - which can last from half an hour to a week. Episodic Tension Headaches occur less than 15 days in a month. If the Episodic Tension Headaches occur more frequently then they become Chronic Tension Headaches.
Chronic Tension Headaches - last for hours on end and occur 15 or more days in a month continuously.
If tension headaches disrupt your daily routine and you need to take medicines as frequently as twice or thrice a week you need to consult your family physician or a general physician.
If your headache suddenly becomes severe and you begin to slur while talking, or experience seizures, you need to contact a doctor without delay. Your headache, in this case, could be a symptom of a more serious underlying cause such as an aneurysm, brain tumor, or a stroke.
What are the symptoms of a tension headache? How is a tension headache diagnosed?
The symptoms of a tension headache include:
- pain and pressure on the forehead, temples and top of the head
- sensitivity to light and sound
- people are able to go about their daily business despite the pain which is not incapacitating
- irritability
- trouble focusing
- tenderness on scalp, shoulder, and neck muscles
Diagnosis
No specific test is required to diagnose a tension headache. The diagnosis is usually based on your history of headaches, and particular times the headaches start for example, after a stressful time at work, being hungry for a long period etc. Your doctor may ask you to take a regular blood test to rule out any abnormality and to find out if there is any iron deficiency. Other than that no CT Scan or MRI is required.