Tension headache

From WikiMD's Medical Encyclopedia

Revision as of 14:32, 9 April 2025 by Prab (talk | contribs) (CSV import)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Tension headache
Synonyms Stress headache, muscle contraction headache
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Headache, pressure or tightness around the head
Complications N/A
Onset Gradual
Duration 30 minutes to several days
Types N/A
Causes Stress, poor posture, dehydration, eye strain
Risks Anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation
Diagnosis Based on symptoms, physical examination
Differential diagnosis Migraine, cluster headache, sinusitis
Prevention Stress management, regular exercise, proper posture
Treatment Pain relievers, stress reduction, physical therapy
Medication Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common
Deaths None


Large headache diagram

Tension headache, also known as a stress headache, is the most common type of headache. It can cause mild, moderate, or intense pain in your head, neck, and behind your eyes. Some people say that a tension headache feels like a tight band around their forehead.

Causes[edit]

The exact cause of tension headaches is not known. Experts believe they may be due to changes in the brain chemicals or tension in the neck and scalp muscles (possibly related to stress), or both.

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of a tension headache include:

  • Dull head pain
  • Pressure around the forehead
  • Tenderness around the forehead and scalp

Diagnosis[edit]

To diagnose a tension headache, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. They may also ask about your family history of headaches to determine if you have a genetic predisposition to tension headaches.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for tension headaches includes over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, and other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques.

Prevention[edit]

Prevention strategies for tension headaches include managing stress, maintaining regular sleep patterns, and regular physical activity.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

<references />

External links[edit]

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Ad. Transform your health with W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa

W8MD's happy loser(weight)

Tired of being overweight?

Special offer:

Budget GLP-1 weight loss medications

  • Semaglutide starting from $29.99/week and up with insurance for visit of $59.99 and up per week self pay.
  • Tirzepatide starting from $45.00/week and up (dose dependent) or $69.99/week and up self pay

✔ Same-week appointments, evenings & weekends

Learn more:

Advertise on WikiMD


WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.