Tension headache or tension headacheis type headache characterized by pain and tension in the forehead or behind the head and neck. Tension headaches are often described as being like a string tied tightly around the head.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. This condition can be experienced by anyone, but is more common in adolescents and adults, especially women.
Although quite annoying, tension headaches are generally not too severe. This condition can be treated with medication and a healthy lifestyle. However, an examination by a doctor is still necessary to rule out the possibility that tension headaches are caused by a dangerous condition.
Causes and Risk Factors Tension Headache
Tension headaches occur when muscles in the face, neck, and scalp contract or tighten. It is not known why this happened. However, each person with tension headaches can have different triggers.
Some of the things that are known to trigger tension headaches are:
- Stress
- Depression
- Starving
- Dehydration
- Squinting too much
- Fatigue or lack of sleep
- Lack of activity or lack of exercise
- Smoke
- Bad posture or wrong sleeping position
- The scorching sun
- Certain scent
- Noise
- Consumption of too many caffeinated or alcoholic beverages
- Other conditions, such as the flu, sinus infection, bruxism, or disorders of the teeth and jaw
Tension Headache Symptoms
Symptoms of tension headaches are generally pain and heaviness in the forehead or the front of the head, both sides of the head, the scalp, or the back of the head and shoulders. The pain may appear intermittently or continuously throughout the day. Headaches can also be felt on the top of the head.
Other symptoms that may appear are:
- Insomnia
- Difficult to concentrate
- Easily angry
- Tired easily
- Stiffness in the neck and upper back
- Slightly sensitive to light and sound
Based on the duration of symptoms, tension headaches can be divided into two, namely:
- Episodic tension headacheThese headaches can last from 30 minutes to 1 week. A patient is said to have an episodic tension headache if the symptoms occur less than 15 days a month, over a period of 3 months.
- Chronic tension headachesChronic tension headaches can last for hours or be persistent. Patients can be said to suffer from chronic tension headaches if the symptoms appear more than 15 days a month, for a period of 3 months.
Keep in mind, tension headaches are different from migraines. In migraine sufferers, physical activity will usually make the condition worse. Migraine symptoms can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. In contrast, physical activity does not make tension headaches worse.
When to go to the doctor
Tension headaches that occur only occasionally do not require medical attention. However, you should consult your condition if tension headaches occur several times a week or if the symptoms are very bothersome.
Immediately consult a doctor if you or those around you experience headaches with the following characteristics:
- Happened suddenly and felt really bad
- Appears after an accident, especially if there is a blow to the head
- Accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, stiff neck, confusion, convulsions, weakness in limbs, slurred speech, double vision, and numbness
Diagnosis of Tension Headache
Tension headaches can usually be diagnosed only from questions and answers and some physical examination. In the process, the doctor will ask about the symptoms experienced by the patient, such as the characteristics of the pain experienced, the location, and the level of the headache felt.
The doctor may also perform a simple physical examination in the form of pressing the muscles around the neck and shoulders or tapping the scalp and face areas. At this stage, the patient usually feels pain. The doctor may also perform an examination to see if there is stiffness in the patient's neck.
If the questions and answers and physical examination reveal that the patient's complaints are severe, very disturbing, or do not go away, the doctor may suggest some supporting examinations, such as:
- Imaging of the head with a CT scan or MRI, to detect or see if there is an abnormality in the brain that is causing the headache
- Visual acuity test, to detect whether there is a refractive error that causes the patient to squint frequently
- Sleep study, to detect whether there are sleep disorders that can cause the patient to lack quality sleep
Treatment Tension Headache
Treatment of tension headaches aims to relieve symptoms as soon as possible and prevent headaches from recurring. As a first step to dealing with tension headaches, patients can immediately take over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, as soon as symptoms appear.
If these drugs do not relieve symptoms, the patient is advised to consult a doctor. The doctor will evaluate the patient's previous medication use and may prescribe stronger medications, such as:
- Naproxen
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Indomethacin
For long-standing (chronic) tension headaches, your doctor may prescribe other medicines in addition to pain relievers, such as:
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, or other types of antidepressants
- Anticonvulsants or muscle relaxants
Complications of Tension Headaches
If not treated properly, tension headaches can recur frequently. Tension headaches that recur frequently can interfere with daily activities and interfere with sleep, especially if the pain is severe.
Other complications that can occur are: rebound headache, namely headaches due to excessive use of drugs to treat tension headaches. Rebound headache occurs when the body becomes used to the drug being used, so headaches occur when the drug is discontinued.
Therefore, it is important for patients to always consult a doctor before taking medication or when these drugs do not relieve symptoms.
Tension Headache Prevention
Tension headaches need to be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle and good stress management, so they don't develop into chronic conditions. In addition, this method can also support the treatment process.
Some ways to manage stress that can be done are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, to help manage stress and reduce the frequency and severity of tension headache symptoms
- Relaxation therapies, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing techniques, to help patients relax when under stress
- Massage therapy, to help relax tense muscles, especially in the shoulder, neck, and head area
- Acupuncture therapy, to stimulate the release of endorphins that can reduce pain
In addition to the above preventive measures, patients are also advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as:
- Get enough rest
- Exercise regularly
- Drink a lot of water
- Improve posture
- Eat healthy food with balanced nutrition
- Limiting consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
- Limiting sugar intake
- Do not smoke