Did you know that tension-type headache is the most prevalent neurological disorder worldwide with over 2 billion suffering from this headache.¹ Unfortunately, even though these types of headaches are common, frequent tension headaches can have a very negative effect on a person’s productivity and quality of life. They may even cause you to take time off work, studies and even miss out on fun social activities. This is because a tension headache is usually characterised by dull pain or pressure around the forehead or back of the head and neck, which is very difficult to ignore as the pain increases.²

What types of tension headaches are there?

Tension headaches are divided into two categories, namely episodic and chronic. The diagnostic criteria are as follows:

• Episodic:

  This type typically lasts anywhere from half an hour to a week. They occur fewer than 15 days out of a month over a period of at least three months.³

• Chronic:

  This type of tension headache occurs 15 or more days per month over a period of at least three months. They often last for hours at a time.⁴

What are the symptoms of a tension headache?

Tension headaches typically start slowly and then build in severity over time. They can often be mistaken for migraines, but differ in the fact that sensory disturbances are absent, and the pain affects both sides of the head. In fact, the pain feels like a dull band putting pressure around the circumference of the head. It often also affects the back of the head or neck and the pain is usually only mild to moderate.⁵

What causes tension headaches?

As with most types of headaches, the exact way they work is not yet known. Common factors seem to include a person’s environment and genetics. It used to be thought that muscle contractions in the head and neck contribute greatly to the development of tension headaches, maybe as a result of stress or emotion. But research has shown that muscle contractions are probably not the cause. Instead, increased sensitivity to pain may be a contributing factor to the development of tension headaches. Stress, however, is reported to be the most common trigger for this type of pain and discomfort.⁶

How do you diagnose tension headaches?

Tension headaches are diagnosed largely on the basis of the symptoms you report to your doctor. A medical professional may ask you questions such as when the headaches occur, where they’re located, what they feel like, how long they last, if you have trouble sleeping, if you’ve had a head injury and if you have a history of stress? If there are additional symptoms, your doctor may perform a number of tests to rule out other conditions. These tests may include blood work, sinus X-rays, an MRI, or even a CT scan.⁷

What treatments are available for tension headaches?

While headache symptoms are often successfully treated with over-the-counter pain medications such as Cipladon 500mg or 1000mg effervescent paracetamol tablets, the duration and frequency of tension headaches means that using painkillers for an extended period of time isn’t ideal. This is usually exceeding 10 days, which can cause the development of medicine-overuse headaches. It’s ultimately a more effective strategy to eliminate the triggers that cause tension headaches in the first place. Common triggers can be stress, eye strain and insomnia.

How to avoid tension headaches?

While headache symptoms are often successfully treated with over-the-counter pain medications such as Cipladon 500mg or 1000mg effervescent paracetamol tablets, the duration and frequency of tension headaches means that using painkillers for an extended period of time isn’t ideal. It’s ultimately a more effective strategy to eliminate the triggers that cause tension headaches in the first place. Common triggers can be certain foods and insomnia.⁸

In fact, there are many relaxation techniques that are also effective in preventing tension headaches. These can include meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga. Using these relaxation techniques and healthy lifestyle habits will improve the effectiveness of treatment – rather than relying on medication alone. Therapies such as biofeedback training and cognitive behavioural therapy have also proven to be effective tools in the prevention of tension headaches.⁹

When should you see your doctor?

Tension headaches by themselves are not considered dangerous. As a precautionary measure, people over 50 who are experiencing unusual, new headaches should see a doctor. If your headaches are frequent and severe and affect your quality of life, it’s also a good idea to seek medical help right away. As a rule of thumb, any sudden and extremely severe headache that progresses beyond your pain threshold for an extended time may also require medical attention.
 

Disclaimer: The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Sources:

1. Tension-type headache awareness campaign. International Headache Society. [online] Available at <https://ihs-headache.org/en/resources/tension-type-headache-awareness-campaign> (14/02/2022).
2. Tension Headaches. Hopkinsmedicine.org [online] Available at <https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/tension-headaches#:~:text=Tension%20headaches%20are%20the%20most,both%20sides%20of%20the%20head> (2022).
3. Tension-type headache (TTH) Headache disorders. Who.int). [online] Available at <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders> (08/04/2016).
4. Tension-type headache (TTH) Headache disorders. Who.int). [online] Available at <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders> (08/04/2016).
5. What are the symptoms of a tension headache? Tension Headaches. Hopkinsmedicine.org [online] Available at <https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/tension-headaches#:~:text=Tension%20headaches%20are%20the%20most,both%20sides%20of%20the%20head> (2022).
6. What causes a tension headache? Tension Headaches. Hopkinsmedicine.org [online] Available at <https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/tension-headaches#:~:text=Tension%20headaches%20are%20the%20most,both%20sides%20of%20the%20head> (2022).
7. How are tension headaches diagnosed? Tension Headaches. Hopkinsmedicine.org [online] Available at <https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/tension-headaches#:~:text=Tension%20headaches%20are%20the%20most,both%20sides%20of%20the%20head> (2022).
8. How are tension headaches treated? Tension Headaches. Hopkinsmedicine.org [online] Available at <https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/tension-headaches#:~:text=Tension%20headaches%20are%20the%20most,both%20sides%20of%20the%20head> (2022).
9. Prevention Tension headache – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic [online] Available at <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tension-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20353977> (2022).