Tension Headache – Everything You Should Know

By Kripal Negi

Reviewed by : Jalaz Jain

January 24, 2023

The tension type headache (TTH) is typically mild to moderate in pain and is often described as having the sensation of tightness on the top of the head. A headache of this type is the most popular, but its causes still need to be fully understood.

Tension headache treatments are readily available. However, treating a tension type headache is typically a matter of practising healthy habits, locating efficient non-pharmacological tension headache treatments , and responsibly using medication.

The signs

The signs and symptoms of a headache of this type include:

Aching, dull head

The sensation of pressure or tightness across the forehead or on the head’s sides and back.

The scalp is tender shoulders, neck and scalp muscles.

Tension-related headaches fall into two major categories, namely chronic and episodic. If you experience any signs then immediately consult your doctor to get the right treatment at the right time.

Headaches can be episodic, like headaches due to tension.

These headaches are often episodic and last between 30 minutes and one week. The frequent, episodic headaches of this type can last for less than 15 days in a month for at most three months. Tension type headaches that are frequent and episodic may develop into chronic tension headaches .

Chronic Tension Headaches

The type of tension headache can last for hours and could be constant. If hyper tension headaches are frequent, lasting at least 15 days per month for at least three months, you’re considered to have chronic.

Tension-type headaches versus migraines

Headaches due to tension are challenging to differentiate from migraines. However, you could also suffer migraines if you suffer from frequent headaches triggered by tension.

In contrast to some types of migraine, tension headaches generally aren’t accompanied by visual disturbances, nausea, or vomiting. While physical activity can cause migraine pain, it’s not enough to make the pain of tension-type headaches more severe. In a tension headache, one can experience increased sensitivity to sound or light; however, this isn’t often seen.

When is the best time to visit a doctor?

Set an appointment to see your doctor; if you experience tension-type headaches that interfere with your daily life or require medication to treat headaches more often than twice per week, you should see your physician.

Even if you’ve had frequent headaches, consult your physician when the pattern of your headaches changes or your headaches suddenly start to feel different. Sometimes, headaches can signal a severe illness, like a brain tumour or the rupture of a blood vessel (aneurysm).

When should you seek help in an emergency?

If you notice any of these symptoms or signs, Seek emergency medical attention:

Extreme, sudden headache, i.e. hyper tension headache

Headache that is accompanied by a stiff neck, fever or neck, mental confusion, seizures or weakness, double vision, speech difficulties or numbness

Consult your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

The Reasons

The reason for tension-related headaches needs to be better understood. The experts believed that tension-related headaches resulted from muscle tension in the neck, face and scalp, possibly due to increased emotion and tension. However, research suggests that muscle tension isn’t the primary cause.

The most popular theory suggests an increased sensitization to pain among people who suffer from tension-type headaches. Tenderness in muscles that is an increase, an occurrence in tension-type headaches, could result from pain sensitivity.

Triggers

Headache due to stress is prevalent. In addition, stress is the most frequently identified trigger of tension headaches.

Complications

Since tension-related headaches are widespread, their impact on work productivity and well-being is substantial, particularly when persistent. In addition, chronic pain can render you unfit to participate in events. As a result, you may have to be home from work, or even if you can attend an appointment, the ability to perform might be compromised.

Prevention

Along with regular exercise, strategies like biofeedback and relaxation therapy can aid in reducing headaches due to stress .

Biofeedback training. This method teaches you how to manage specific body reactions that can help ease the pain. In a biofeedback class, it is connected to devices which monitor and provide feedback about body functions like muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure. You’ll learn how to ease tension in your muscles, reduce your heart rate, and breathe yourself.

Therapy for cognitive behaviour. This treatment could help you learn to manage stress and reduce the intensity and frequency of your headaches.

Other techniques to relax. Anything that can help to relax, like yoga, deep breathing meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation, can alleviate headaches. One can learn relaxation techniques in classes or at home using videos, books or apps.

In addition, living a healthier lifestyle can help avoid headaches:

Sleep enough, but not too much. Sleep.

Don’t smoke.

Exercise regularly.

Eat regularly and eat balanced, regular meals that are balanced and regular.

Make sure you drink plenty of water.

Limit alcohol, caffeine and sugar.

The use of medications and stress management techniques may prove more efficient than tension headache treatmen t alone in relieving your hyper tension headaches. To get the effective treatment visit Ujala Cygnus Hospital . The hospital has experienced medical staff, advanced medical technology to provide one of the best treatment. Book your appointment now!

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