Tension headaches are the most common key in of headache disorder.
you’re able to experience them once in a while or chronically.
With a tension headache, you may have head pain, irritability, or trouble concentrating.
Maskot / Getty Images
This article will explore what a tension headache is, its symptoms, and its triggers.
It will also cover how tension headaches are diagnosed and treated.
Maskot / Getty Images
What Are Tension Headaches?
Tension headaches are aprimary headache disorder, not a symptom of another medical or neurological problem.
Head pain is the most prominentsymptom of a tension headache.
These headaches are characterized by a dull tightening or pressure on both sides of the head.
They may start at the forehead and radiate to the back of the head.
A tension headache can feel like a nagging “rubber band around the head” sensation.
These headaches occur when your body becomes accustomed to the medication.
Recurrent head pain can begin as pain medication wears offresulting in a cycle that is hard to break.
What Triggers Tension Headaches?
Several triggers can increase your likelihood of developing a tension headache.
While anyone can develop a tension headache, some people are more prone to them.
These health problems must be detected and treated promptly.
Tension headaches are quitedifferent from other types of headaches, including migraines.
You may need to have some diagnostic tests as part of the evaluation for your headaches.
How Do You Get Rid of Tension Headaches Fast?
Tension headaches usually resolve withhome remediesorover-the-counter (OTC) medications.
It is important to do what works for you when managing your tension headaches.
Keep in mind that it is beneficial to combine home remedies with OTC medications.
But you have to be careful when using a combination of methods to manage your headaches.
For example:
Preventing Tension Headaches
Prevention is a critical component of managing tension headaches.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can effectively reduce tension headaches for many people.
Preventative Medication
Infrequent tension headaches generally do not need to be treated with preventive prescription medication.
Preventative headache medications are available by prescription, and they are taken on a daily schedule.
They do not treat an ongoing headache or reduce the pain of a headache while it’s already occuring.
However, the data on the effectiveness of these therapies is not strong.
Causes might include stress, lack of sleep, dehydration or hunger, and dental problems.
Lifestyle changes and appropriate medication use can treat and prevent tension headaches.
If you’re concerned about the headaches you are experiencing, speak with a healthcare provider.
Rizzoli P, Mullally W.Headache.Am J Med.
2021;3(3):e0344.
doi:10.1097/CCE.0000000000000344
Schmidt B, Czosnyka M, Cardim D, Czosnyka Z, Rosengarten B.Is lumbar puncture needed?
noninvasive assessment of icp facilitates decision making in patients with suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension.Ultraschall Med.
2021;44(2):e91-e98.
doi:10.1055/a-1586-6487
Ferini-Strambi L, Galbiati A, Combi R.Sleep disorder-related headaches.Neurol Sci.
2019;40(Suppl 1):107-113. doi:10.1007/s10072-019-03837-z.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
National Institutes of Health.Headache.
2018;22(1):19-33. doi:10.1177/1367493517738123.