The most common of the primary headache types is that of the tension headache. Although this name was not what the headache has always been known by, in 1988 the International Headache Society renamed it. This particular headache is attributed to tension in any muscle which is attached to the head and can include muscle groups in the neck, back and face. The tension type headache accounts for 90% of the headaches people all over the world have to endure on a daily basis and out of those 90%, three percent of them suffer from chronic tension headaches which can occur over and over again.
The tension headache can be classified as chronic or episodic. The tension headaches that are classified as chronic are those that occur for more than 15 days out of every month for a period of no less than 6 months. Anything less than this number is considered to be episodic. Furthermore, although the average tension headache only lasts for four to six hours, it can last as short as only a few minutes or as long as a few months.
The tension headache is a constant pressure that feels as if the person who is having one has their head in a vice and it is placing a constant pressure on it. In general this pain is bilateral which simply means that the pain is felt on both sides of the head in equal amounts. These headaches can be moderate or even severe depending on the specific cause as well as the amount of pain and the length of time in which it stays active.
The most common causes of a tension headache are that of stress, sleep deprivation, bad posture, hunger, eyestrain and even caffeine withdrawal. In general, these are the most commonly known triggers, but in reality the exact causes of the headache are still unknown. It is commonly thought that the tension headache is actually an ailment of the central nervous system and that the actual causes can be numerous and not defined by one particular action. In other words, just because you clench your teeth does not mean that this alone is the cause.
In general the episodic tension headaches can be treated by simple over the counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen while the chronic tension headaches need analgesics and antihistamines to help dull the pain.
It is important to remember that if you suffer from tension headaches, the best means of prevention is to reduce the amount of stress you have to undergo on a daily basis. This reduction of stress helps to reduce the tension on the muscles which are caused by stress and therefore lowers your risk of reoccurring tension headaches.
