DEFINITION
This type of tension headache is commonly spread, with mild to moderate levels often described as feeling like a tight headband on your head. Headache Tension (tension headache type) is the most common type of headache, and the cause is not known clearly.
Treatment for these headaches is available. Managing tension-type headaches is a balance between fostering healthy habits, finding effective treatments without alcohol drinks and using the right medicine.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of tension headaches include:
Headache pain that feels boring
Sensation of tightness or pressure on your forehead or on the sides and back of your head
Tenderness in the muscles of the scalp, neck and shoulders
Tension headaches are divided into two main categories namely episodic and chronic.
Episodic Parkinson's.
Episodic Parkinson's can last from 30 minutes to a week. Episodic Parkinson's often occurs less than 15 days a month for at least three months. Episodic Parkinson's often can become chronic.
Chronic tension headaches
The type of headache type of tension lasts an hour and may be continuous. If your headache occurs 15 days or more per month for at least three months, they are considered chronic.
Tension vs migraine headache
Tension headaches can be difficult to distinguish from migraines. Plus, if you have frequent episodic tension headaches, you can also have a migraine. Unlike some forms of migraine, tension-type headaches are usually unrelated to vision disorders, nausea, or vomiting. Although physical activity usually aggravates migraine pain, it does not make the tension headache worse. Increased sensitivity to light or sound can occur with tension headaches, but this is not a common symptom.
When should you see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor
If a tension-type headache interferes with your life or you need to take medication for your headache more than twice a week, go to your doctor. Even if you have a history of headaches, see a doctor if your pattern changes or headaches suddenly feel different. Occasionally, a headache may indicate a serious medical condition, such as a brain tumor or rupture of the blood vessel (brain aneurysm) weakening.
When to seek emergency help
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, look for emergency care:
Severe headache and suddenly
Headaches accompanied by fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking
Headache after head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
CAUSE
The cause of tension headache is not known clearly. Parkinson's thinking experts derive from the contraction of facial muscles, neck and scalp, possibly due to increased emotion, tension or stress. But studies show muscle contraction is not the cause. The most common theories support the increased sensitivity to pain in people who have had Parkinson's and perhaps increased sensitivity to stress. Increased muscle tenderness, a common symptom of tension headaches, may result from the pain system.
Triggers
Stress is the most common trigger that is reported for tension headaches.
RISK FACTOR
Risk factors for tension headache include:
Woman. One study found that nearly 90 percent of women and about 70 percent of people experience tension headaches during their lifetime.
Middle-aged. The incidence of Parkinson's seems to peak in the 40s, although people of all ages can get this type of headache.
COMPLICATIONS
Because tension headaches are very common, their effects on productivity work and overall quality of life are considerable, especially if they are chronic. Frequent pain can prevent you from attending certain activities. You may need to stay home from work, or if you go to your job, your ability will be disrupted.
PREPARATION BEFORE CONSULTING
You might start by looking at your family doctor. You can then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating nervous system disorders, such as headaches (nerves).
Here is some information to help you get ready and find out what you can expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Write down the symptoms you are experiencing, including anything that may seem unrelated to your headache.
Write down important personal information about you, including the amount of pressure or changes in your life.
Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins or supplements you take, and tell this information to your doctor.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.
For tension headaches, some basic questions you can ask your doctor include:
What kind of headache do I experience?
What tests do I need? What will be sidelined through this test?
Is my condition temporary or chronic?
What treatments are available? Which treatment is right for me?
What are the main approaches you recommend for me?
I have other health conditions. How do I handle it simultaneously?
Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
Do I need to find a specialist?
Are there alternative generic medicines you prescribe for me?
What are the common side effects of medicines you are prescribing?
Is there any brochures or other printed materials that I can pedoman?
Feel free to ask any other questions during the consultation.
What can you expect from a doctor?
The doctor may ask questions, such as:
When do you start experiencing symptoms?
Have you noticed any common triggers, like stress or hunger?
Do your symptoms go on continuously or only occasionally?
How severe are your symptoms?
How often do you have headaches?
How long each last headache?
What seems to reduce your symptoms?
What seems to worsen your symptoms?
What you can do for a while
While you are waiting to see a doctor, you can take painkillers without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve temporary pain.
Keep a headache diary. Gathering information about your headache will help your doctor, keep a diary on your headache. For each headache, attach:
Date. Recording the date and time of each headache can help you recognize the pattern.
Duration. How long is the last headache?
Intensity. Assessing your headache on a scale of 1 to 10, scale 10 is the worst.
Triggers. The list of possibilities triggers your headaches, such as certain foods, physical activity, noise, stress, smoke, light or weather changes.
Symptoms. Do you have symptoms before you experience headaches?
Drugs. What medications have you taken? List anything, including doses, even if they are not related to your headaches.
TEST AND DIAGNOSIS
If you have chronic or recurrent headaches, your doctor may perform tests and neurologists, then try to determine the type and cause of your headache using this approach:
Your pain description
Your doctor can learn many things about your headache from your pain description. Be sure to include these details:
Characteristics of pain. Is the pain throbbing? Or constant and boring? Sharp or piercing?
Intensity of pain. A good indicator of the severity of your headache is how much you are able to function while you have it. Are you able to work? Does the headache wake you up or prevent you from sleeping?
Location of pain. Do you feel pain all over your head, just on one side of your head, or just on your forehead or behind your eyes?
Imaging test
If you have unusual or complicated headaches, your doctor may order tests to rule out the cause of a harmful headache, such as a tumor. The two common tests used for your brain include:
Computerized tomography (CT). CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a series of computer x-rays directed to provide a comprehensive view of your brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI scans combine magnetic fields, radio waves and computer technology to produce clear images.
TREATMENT
Some people with Parkinson's do not seek medical attention and try to treat the pain on their own. Unfortunately, repeated use of non-prescription painkillers (OTC) can actually cause excessive headaches. A variety of OTC and prescription medications, available to alleviate headaches, including:
Painkiller. These simple OTC pain killers are usually in the first position in the treatment to relieve headaches. These include aspirin medications, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen (Aleve). Prescription drugs include naproxen (Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin) and ketorolac (Ketorolac Tromethamine).
Combination of drugs. Aspirin or acetaminophen or both are often combined with caffeine or tranquilizers in a single treatment. The combination of drugs may be more effective than a single pain reliever. Many combinations of OTC drugs are available.
Triptans and narcotics. For people who have migraines and episodic tension headaches, triptans can effectively ease the second headache. Opiates, or narcotics, are rarely used because of side effects and potential dependence.
Preventive drugs
Doctors may prescribe drugs to reduce the frequency and severity of the attack, especially if it is frequent or chronic that is not relieved by painkillers and other therapies.
Preventive treatment may include:
Tricyclic antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Pamelor), are the most common drugs used to prevent tension-type headaches. Side effects of these medications may include weight loss, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
Other antidepressants. There is also some evidence to support the use of venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and mirtazapine (Remeron) antidepressants in people who also lack depression.
Anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants. Other drugs that can prevent tension type headaches include anticonvulsants, such as topiramate (Topamax). It still needs to be tested.
Preventive medications may take several weeks or more to build up in your body system before they cause an effect. So do not get frustrated if you have not seen improvement as soon as you start taking the medicine. Your doctor will monitor your medication to see how the preventive medications work. Meanwhile, overuse of painkillers for your headaches may interfere with the effects of preventative medications.
LIFE STYLE AND CARE IN HOME
Wrap ice or a long hot bath, maybe you need to relieve a tension-type headache. Strategies can help reduce the severity and frequency of chronic tension headaches without the use of drugs. Try some of the following:
Manage your stress level. One way to help reduce stress is to plan ahead and organize your day. Another way is to allow more time to relax. And if you get caught in a stressful situation, consider stepping back.
Hot and cold. Applying heat or ice for muscle pain, can relieve tension type headaches. For heat, use a low heating pad, this can be obtained with hot water bottles, warm compresses or warm towels. Warm bath water can also help. For cold, ice packs, ice or frozen vegetables in a cloth to protect your skin.
Improve your posture. Good posture can help keep your muscles from tensioning. When standing up, hold your shoulders back and your head. Pulling stomach and buttocks. When sitting, make sure the thighs are parallel to the ground and your head does not slip forward.
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
The following nontraditional therapies can help if you have tension headaches:
Acupuncture. Acupuncture can provide temporary relief from chronic headaches. Acupuncture practitioners treat you using a very thin, disposable needle that generally causes less pain or discomfort. SituS American Academy of medical acupuncture provides referrals to medical doctors who use acupuncture in their practice.
Massage. Massage can help reduce stress and relieve tension. It is especially effective for removing tight muscles, and being soft at the back of the head, neck and shoulders. For some, it may also provide relief for headache.
Breathing, biofeedback and behavioral therapy. A variety of relaxation therapies are useful in treating headaches, including breathing and biofeedback.
HOW TO OVERCOME AND SUPPORT
Living with chronic pain can worry you. Chronic pain can make you anxious or depressed and affect the relationship, productivity and quality of your life.
Here are some suggestions:
Talk to a counselor or a therapist. Speech therapy can help you overcome the effects of chronic pain.
Join the support group. Support groups can be a good source of information. Group members often know about the latest treatments. Your doctor may recommend a group in your area.
PREVENTION
In addition to regular exercise, techniques such as biofeedback training and relaxation therapy can help reduce stress.
Biofeedback Training. This technique teaches you to control certain body responses that help reduce pain. During the biofeedback session, it connects to devices that monitor and provide feedback on body functions such as muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure. You then learn how to reduce muscle tension and slow down your own heartbeat and breathing.
Cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of speech therapy can help you learn to manage stress and can help reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches.
Other relaxation techniques. Anything that will help you relax, including breathing, yoga, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, can help reduce your pain. You can learn relaxation techniques in class or at home using books or tapes.
Using drugs related to stress management techniques may be more effective than a single treatment in reducing your tension headaches.
In addition, a healthy lifestyle can help prevent headaches:
Get enough sleep, but not too much.
Do not smoke.
Exercise regularly.
Eat regular and balanced meals.
Drink plenty of water.
Limit alcohol, caffeine and sugar.
This type of tension headache is commonly spread, with mild to moderate levels often described as feeling like a tight headband on your head. Headache Tension (tension headache type) is the most common type of headache, and the cause is not known clearly.
Treatment for these headaches is available. Managing tension-type headaches is a balance between fostering healthy habits, finding effective treatments without alcohol drinks and using the right medicine.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of tension headaches include:
Headache pain that feels boring
Sensation of tightness or pressure on your forehead or on the sides and back of your head
Tenderness in the muscles of the scalp, neck and shoulders
Tension headaches are divided into two main categories namely episodic and chronic.
Episodic Parkinson's.
Episodic Parkinson's can last from 30 minutes to a week. Episodic Parkinson's often occurs less than 15 days a month for at least three months. Episodic Parkinson's often can become chronic.
Chronic tension headaches
The type of headache type of tension lasts an hour and may be continuous. If your headache occurs 15 days or more per month for at least three months, they are considered chronic.
Tension vs migraine headache
Tension headaches can be difficult to distinguish from migraines. Plus, if you have frequent episodic tension headaches, you can also have a migraine. Unlike some forms of migraine, tension-type headaches are usually unrelated to vision disorders, nausea, or vomiting. Although physical activity usually aggravates migraine pain, it does not make the tension headache worse. Increased sensitivity to light or sound can occur with tension headaches, but this is not a common symptom.
When should you see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor
If a tension-type headache interferes with your life or you need to take medication for your headache more than twice a week, go to your doctor. Even if you have a history of headaches, see a doctor if your pattern changes or headaches suddenly feel different. Occasionally, a headache may indicate a serious medical condition, such as a brain tumor or rupture of the blood vessel (brain aneurysm) weakening.
When to seek emergency help
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, look for emergency care:
Severe headache and suddenly
Headaches accompanied by fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking
Headache after head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
CAUSE
The cause of tension headache is not known clearly. Parkinson's thinking experts derive from the contraction of facial muscles, neck and scalp, possibly due to increased emotion, tension or stress. But studies show muscle contraction is not the cause. The most common theories support the increased sensitivity to pain in people who have had Parkinson's and perhaps increased sensitivity to stress. Increased muscle tenderness, a common symptom of tension headaches, may result from the pain system.
Triggers
Stress is the most common trigger that is reported for tension headaches.
RISK FACTOR
Risk factors for tension headache include:
Woman. One study found that nearly 90 percent of women and about 70 percent of people experience tension headaches during their lifetime.
Middle-aged. The incidence of Parkinson's seems to peak in the 40s, although people of all ages can get this type of headache.
COMPLICATIONS
Because tension headaches are very common, their effects on productivity work and overall quality of life are considerable, especially if they are chronic. Frequent pain can prevent you from attending certain activities. You may need to stay home from work, or if you go to your job, your ability will be disrupted.
PREPARATION BEFORE CONSULTING
You might start by looking at your family doctor. You can then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating nervous system disorders, such as headaches (nerves).
Here is some information to help you get ready and find out what you can expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Write down the symptoms you are experiencing, including anything that may seem unrelated to your headache.
Write down important personal information about you, including the amount of pressure or changes in your life.
Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins or supplements you take, and tell this information to your doctor.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.
For tension headaches, some basic questions you can ask your doctor include:
What kind of headache do I experience?
What tests do I need? What will be sidelined through this test?
Is my condition temporary or chronic?
What treatments are available? Which treatment is right for me?
What are the main approaches you recommend for me?
I have other health conditions. How do I handle it simultaneously?
Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
Do I need to find a specialist?
Are there alternative generic medicines you prescribe for me?
What are the common side effects of medicines you are prescribing?
Is there any brochures or other printed materials that I can pedoman?
Feel free to ask any other questions during the consultation.
What can you expect from a doctor?
The doctor may ask questions, such as:
When do you start experiencing symptoms?
Have you noticed any common triggers, like stress or hunger?
Do your symptoms go on continuously or only occasionally?
How severe are your symptoms?
How often do you have headaches?
How long each last headache?
What seems to reduce your symptoms?
What seems to worsen your symptoms?
What you can do for a while
While you are waiting to see a doctor, you can take painkillers without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve temporary pain.
Keep a headache diary. Gathering information about your headache will help your doctor, keep a diary on your headache. For each headache, attach:
Date. Recording the date and time of each headache can help you recognize the pattern.
Duration. How long is the last headache?
Intensity. Assessing your headache on a scale of 1 to 10, scale 10 is the worst.
Triggers. The list of possibilities triggers your headaches, such as certain foods, physical activity, noise, stress, smoke, light or weather changes.
Symptoms. Do you have symptoms before you experience headaches?
Drugs. What medications have you taken? List anything, including doses, even if they are not related to your headaches.
TEST AND DIAGNOSIS
If you have chronic or recurrent headaches, your doctor may perform tests and neurologists, then try to determine the type and cause of your headache using this approach:
Your pain description
Your doctor can learn many things about your headache from your pain description. Be sure to include these details:
Characteristics of pain. Is the pain throbbing? Or constant and boring? Sharp or piercing?
Intensity of pain. A good indicator of the severity of your headache is how much you are able to function while you have it. Are you able to work? Does the headache wake you up or prevent you from sleeping?
Location of pain. Do you feel pain all over your head, just on one side of your head, or just on your forehead or behind your eyes?
Imaging test
If you have unusual or complicated headaches, your doctor may order tests to rule out the cause of a harmful headache, such as a tumor. The two common tests used for your brain include:
Computerized tomography (CT). CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a series of computer x-rays directed to provide a comprehensive view of your brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI scans combine magnetic fields, radio waves and computer technology to produce clear images.
TREATMENT
Some people with Parkinson's do not seek medical attention and try to treat the pain on their own. Unfortunately, repeated use of non-prescription painkillers (OTC) can actually cause excessive headaches. A variety of OTC and prescription medications, available to alleviate headaches, including:
Painkiller. These simple OTC pain killers are usually in the first position in the treatment to relieve headaches. These include aspirin medications, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen (Aleve). Prescription drugs include naproxen (Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin) and ketorolac (Ketorolac Tromethamine).
Combination of drugs. Aspirin or acetaminophen or both are often combined with caffeine or tranquilizers in a single treatment. The combination of drugs may be more effective than a single pain reliever. Many combinations of OTC drugs are available.
Triptans and narcotics. For people who have migraines and episodic tension headaches, triptans can effectively ease the second headache. Opiates, or narcotics, are rarely used because of side effects and potential dependence.
Preventive drugs
Doctors may prescribe drugs to reduce the frequency and severity of the attack, especially if it is frequent or chronic that is not relieved by painkillers and other therapies.
Preventive treatment may include:
Tricyclic antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Pamelor), are the most common drugs used to prevent tension-type headaches. Side effects of these medications may include weight loss, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
Other antidepressants. There is also some evidence to support the use of venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and mirtazapine (Remeron) antidepressants in people who also lack depression.
Anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants. Other drugs that can prevent tension type headaches include anticonvulsants, such as topiramate (Topamax). It still needs to be tested.
Preventive medications may take several weeks or more to build up in your body system before they cause an effect. So do not get frustrated if you have not seen improvement as soon as you start taking the medicine. Your doctor will monitor your medication to see how the preventive medications work. Meanwhile, overuse of painkillers for your headaches may interfere with the effects of preventative medications.
LIFE STYLE AND CARE IN HOME
Wrap ice or a long hot bath, maybe you need to relieve a tension-type headache. Strategies can help reduce the severity and frequency of chronic tension headaches without the use of drugs. Try some of the following:
Manage your stress level. One way to help reduce stress is to plan ahead and organize your day. Another way is to allow more time to relax. And if you get caught in a stressful situation, consider stepping back.
Hot and cold. Applying heat or ice for muscle pain, can relieve tension type headaches. For heat, use a low heating pad, this can be obtained with hot water bottles, warm compresses or warm towels. Warm bath water can also help. For cold, ice packs, ice or frozen vegetables in a cloth to protect your skin.
Improve your posture. Good posture can help keep your muscles from tensioning. When standing up, hold your shoulders back and your head. Pulling stomach and buttocks. When sitting, make sure the thighs are parallel to the ground and your head does not slip forward.
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
The following nontraditional therapies can help if you have tension headaches:
Acupuncture. Acupuncture can provide temporary relief from chronic headaches. Acupuncture practitioners treat you using a very thin, disposable needle that generally causes less pain or discomfort. SituS American Academy of medical acupuncture provides referrals to medical doctors who use acupuncture in their practice.
Massage. Massage can help reduce stress and relieve tension. It is especially effective for removing tight muscles, and being soft at the back of the head, neck and shoulders. For some, it may also provide relief for headache.
Breathing, biofeedback and behavioral therapy. A variety of relaxation therapies are useful in treating headaches, including breathing and biofeedback.
HOW TO OVERCOME AND SUPPORT
Living with chronic pain can worry you. Chronic pain can make you anxious or depressed and affect the relationship, productivity and quality of your life.
Here are some suggestions:
Talk to a counselor or a therapist. Speech therapy can help you overcome the effects of chronic pain.
Join the support group. Support groups can be a good source of information. Group members often know about the latest treatments. Your doctor may recommend a group in your area.
PREVENTION
In addition to regular exercise, techniques such as biofeedback training and relaxation therapy can help reduce stress.
Biofeedback Training. This technique teaches you to control certain body responses that help reduce pain. During the biofeedback session, it connects to devices that monitor and provide feedback on body functions such as muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure. You then learn how to reduce muscle tension and slow down your own heartbeat and breathing.
Cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of speech therapy can help you learn to manage stress and can help reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches.
Other relaxation techniques. Anything that will help you relax, including breathing, yoga, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, can help reduce your pain. You can learn relaxation techniques in class or at home using books or tapes.
Using drugs related to stress management techniques may be more effective than a single treatment in reducing your tension headaches.
In addition, a healthy lifestyle can help prevent headaches:
Get enough sleep, but not too much.
Do not smoke.
Exercise regularly.
Eat regular and balanced meals.
Drink plenty of water.
Limit alcohol, caffeine and sugar.
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