Tension Headache

Tension headaches, are the most seen type among headaches. Nearly 30% to 80% of adult people occasionally experience this sort of a headache. Tension headaches are more often seen among women compared to men. Tension headaches are also called stress headaches, muscles contraction headaches, daily headaches, or chronic non-progressive headaches.

Tension headaches usuall begin gradually and most often occur by the middle of the day. A tension headache may occur on an episodic basis(less than 15 days per month) or an a chronic basis(daily or more than 15 days per month). Most people with episodic tension headaches have them no more than once or twice a month, but the headaches can occur more frequently.

Causes

No single cause can be ascertained for tension headaches. These headaches are not hereditary traits that run in families. Sometimes, tension headaches are caused by tightened muscles in the back of the neck and scalp. In others, tigtened muscles are not part of tension headaches,and the cause is unknown.

Tension headaches are usually triggered by some type of environmental or internal stress. The most common sources of stress include family, social relationships, friends, work and school. Episodic tension headaches are usually triggered by an isolated stressful situation or a build-up of stress. Daily stress can lead to chronic tension headaches.

Symptoms

In mild to moderate tension headaches, there is a constant, band-like pain or pressure that lasts from 30minutes to all day. Tension headaches tend to be moderate or mild and are rarely severe.Unlikely migraines they are not usually unilateral, throbbing or associated with light and sound sensitivity or nausea and vomiting. Other features of tension headaches may include :

• Headache upon awakening.
• Genereal muscle aches.
• Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
• Chronic fatigue.
• Irritability.
• Disturbed concentration.
• Mild sensitivity to light or noise.
• Occasional dizziness.

One should also look for symptoms of depression like sadness of mood, loss of interest in pleasurable and routine activity, feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, crying spells, irritability, decreased concentration, death wish, forgetfulness etc.,