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Tension headache

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Muscle contraction headache; Benign headache; Headache - tension

Treatment:

The goal is to relieve symptoms and prevent future headaches. Prevention is the best treatment. If possible, remove or control your headache "triggers."

Learn and practice stress management strategies. Some people find relaxation exercises or meditation helpful. Biofeedback may improve relaxation exercises and may be helpful for chronic tension headache.

Other preventive measures may include keeping warm if the headache is associated with cold, using a different pillow, or changing sleeping positions. Use good posture when reading, working, or doing other activities that may cause headache. Exercise the neck and shoulders frequently when typing, working on computers, or doing close work.

Enough sleep and rest, or massage of sore muscles can help reduce the chance that a headache will occur. Hot or cold showers or baths may relieve a headache for some people.

Over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen may relieve pain if the above measures are ineffective. An antidepressant or other medication may be advised for chronic headache. A nonsedating muscle relaxant like metaxalone (Skelaxin) helps some patients. In severe cases, the combination of butalbital and acetaminophen (Fioricet) or butalbital and aspirin (Fiorinal) may be helpful.

A headache diary may help you identify the source of chronic headaches. When a headache occurs, write down the date and time the headache began. Note what you ate for the preceding 24 hours, sleep pattern and amount of sleep, what was being experienced immediately before the headache, unusual stress or other circumstances, how long the headache lasted, and what made it stop.

Lifestyle changes may be required for chronic tension headaches. This may include adequate rest and exercise, change in job or recreational habits, or other changes.

Expectations (prognosis):

Tension headaches usually respond well to treatment without residual effects. They are annoying, but not dangerous.

Complications:

• The headache may not be a tension headache, but it may be a symptom of another, more serious, disorder.
• Rebound headaches may occur from overuse of analgesic medications.

Calling your health care provider:

See your health care provider if headaches are severe, persistent, recurrent, or are accompanied by other symptoms (drowsiness, vision changes, changes in movement or sensation, seizures , changes in alertness, nausea and vomiting).

Also call if headaches disturb sleep, occur whenever you are active, are recurrent or chronic, or if a headache does not respond to treatment.

• Review Date: 9/7/2006
• Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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