Tension Headaches
Definition
Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headache and it caused by
severe muscle contractions triggered by stress or exertion. It affects as many
as 90% of adult Americans. They can occur at any age, but are most common in
adults and adolescents. If a headache occurs two or more times weekly for
several months or longer, the condition is considered chronic.
Description
While most adults get a tension headache from time to time, women and people
with more education are slightly more likely to suffer with them. People who are
so anxious that they grind their teeth or hunch their shoulders may find that
the physical strain in their body can be experienced as pain and tension in the
muscles of the neck and scalp, producing almost constant pain.
Causes and symptoms
Tension headache result from the contraction (tightness) of face, neck and scalp
muscles. Muscles in the neck, shoulders, and jaw can feel tight and sore .One
cause of this muscle contraction is a response to stress, depression or anxiety
– thus, the name "tension". Headaches originating from tightness in the neck
muscles are often called cervicogenic headaches.
Any activity that causes the head to be held in the abnormal position for a long
time without moving can cause a headache. Other causes may include eyestrain
from sun glare or reading, grinding teeth or air pollutants (i.e. smoke).
Many people describe tension headache pain as a kind of dull ache that forms a
tight band around the forehead or heavy weight on top of the head, affecting
both sides of the head. Tension headaches usually occur in the front of the
head, although they also may appear at the top or the back of the skull. Chronic
Tension Headache can last for days or weeks and can cause pain of varying
intensity.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of tension headaches is made from a medical history, discussion of
symptoms, and elimination of other types of headaches or underlying disorders.
Typical tension-type headache can be described as follows:
· Duration of 30 minutes to 7 days
· No nausea or vomiting (anorexia may occur)
· Minimum of 10 previous headache episodes
· Pain described as fullness, tightness, pressure, or bandlike
· May occur acutely under emotional distress or intense worry
· Insomnia
· Often present upon rising or shortly thereafter
· Not aggravated by physical activity or even improved
· Muscular tightness or stiffness in neck, face , forehead
· Duration of more than 5 years in 75% of patients with chronic headaches
· Difficulty concentrating
Very few headaches are the sign of a serious underlying medical problem.
However, sufferers should call a physician at once if they:
· have more than three headaches a week
· take painkillers almost every day
· need more than the recommended dose of painkiller
· have a stiff neck and/or fever in addition to headache
· are dizzy, unsteady, or have slurred speech, weakness, or numbness
· have confusion or drowsiness with the headache
· have headaches that began with a head injury
· have headaches triggered by bending, coughing or exertion
· have headaches that keep getting worse
· have severe vomiting with the headache
· have the first headache after age 50
· awaken with headache that gets better as the day goes on
Michelle Simkins
questions? E-mail me:
michelle_simkins@yahoo.com
