A tension headache is the most common type of headache for people. You might feel like there’s a tight band around your forehead, causing pain in your head and neck. The exact cause isn’t known, but muscle tension in the head and neck, bad posture, and genetics might be factors.
Many things can trigger these headaches. Stress, alcohol, eye strain, fatigue, and sitting or standing poorly are some common triggers. Symptoms can include a dull pain in the head, feeling pressure around the forehead, sore scalp, trouble focusing, being irritable, and feeling tired. These headaches are less intense than migraines and usually don’t cause nausea or vomiting.
If someone has severe tension headaches, doctors might do tests like CT scans or MRIs to check for other health issues. But, most people can find relief with simple steps. These can be over-the-counter pain meds, or prescription meds like tricyclic antidepressants or muscle relaxants. Other treatments, including acupuncture or biofeedback, might also help. It’s also important to identify what triggers your headaches and try to avoid them. Keeping a headache diary and making lifestyle changes can be key steps.
Key Takeaways
- Tension headaches are the most common type of headache experienced by individuals.
- They are characterized by a feeling of a tight band around the forehead.
- Common triggers for tension headaches include stress, alcohol, eye strain, fatigue, and poor posture.
- Tension headaches can be differentiated from migraines by their milder intensity and the absence of nausea and vomiting.
- Treatment options for tension headaches include over-the-counter pain medications, prescription medications, and alternative therapies.
- Preventive measures for tension headaches involve identifying triggers through a headache diary and making lifestyle changes.
Types of Headaches: Tension-Type Headache, Migraine, Medication Overuse Headache, Cluster Headache, Thunderclap Headache
Besides tension headaches, people can have other types. Migraine headaches are quite common. They can cause throbbing pain on one side of the head. You might also feel sensitive to light and sound, nauseous, and have strange senses.
Overusing pain relief medicines can lead to more headaches. This is called a medication overuse headache. To avoid this, always take pain relief medicines as the label says.
Cluster headaches happen in groups and are very severe. They last from 15 minutes to 3 hours. These headaches are usually on one side of the head. You might also have red eyes, droopy eyelids, and a stuffed or runny nose. They affect more men than women.
Thunderclap headaches are sudden and intense. They might mean something serious like a stroke or brain bleed. If you have one, get help right away.