Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance or go to the hospital emergency department if you have a sudden, very severe headache and this is the first time this has happened. Or if your headache follows a head injury or it is accompanied by that concern you. Show
What is a tension headache?A tension headache is a mild to moderate pain, tightness or pressure around your forehead or the back of your head and neck. Some people say it feels like a clamp or tight band around the head. They are very common — almost everyone will have a tension headache at some point. When should I call an ambulance?Most headaches are not serious. But headaches can also be a sign of a serious illness, such as a stroke or meningitis. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to the hospital emergency department if you have a headache and:
What are the symptoms of a tension headache?The pain caused by a tension headache is often dull and persistent. It frequently starts at the back of the head or temples, then spreads, becoming like a band around the head. It may feel like pressure or tightness. A tension headache can be chronic, occurring every day for more than half the month, or episodic, where it occurs for fewer than 15 days a month. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use our headache Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. What triggers a tension headache?Tension headaches, despite the name, are not always caused by stress and mental tension. There can be other triggers, including excessive muscle contraction such as frowning and jaw clenching. Other triggers for tension headaches include:
When should I see my doctor?See your doctor if your headaches:
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — Our Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services. ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use our Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. How are tension headaches diagnosed?Your doctor will diagnose tension headaches by talking to you and examining you. There is no specific test to diagnose tension headaches. However, your doctor may do tests to exclude other causes of headache. A tension headache is the most common type of headache. It is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, and is often associated with muscle tightness in these areas.  CausesTension headaches occur when neck and scalp muscles become tense or contract. The muscle contractions can be a response to stress, depression, head injury, or anxiety. They may occur at any age, but are most common in adults and older teens. It is slightly more common in women and tends to run in families. Any activity that causes the head to be held in one position for a long time without moving can cause a headache. Activities may include typing or other computer work, fine work with the hands, and using a microscope. Sleeping in a cold room or sleeping with the neck in an abnormal position may also trigger a tension headache. Other triggers of tension headaches include:
Tension headaches can occur when you also have a migraine. Tension headaches are not associated with brain diseases. SymptomsThe headache pain may be described as:
The pain may occur once, constantly, or daily. Pain may last for 30 minutes to 7 days. It may be triggered by or get worse with stress, fatigue, noise, or glare. You may have difficulty sleeping. Tension headaches usually do not cause nausea or vomiting. People with tension headaches try to relieve pain by massaging their scalp, temples, or the bottom of the neck. Exams and TestsIf your headache is mild to moderate, without other symptoms, and responds to home treatment within a few hours, you may not need further examination or testing. With a tension headache, there are usually no problems with the nervous system. But tender points (trigger points) in the muscles are often found in the neck and shoulder areas. TreatmentThe goal is to treat your headache symptoms right away and to prevent headaches by avoiding or changing your triggers. A key step in doing this involves learning to manage your tension headaches at home by:
Many people can treat their tension headaches with conservative therapy, such as relaxation or stress-management training, including:
When needed, medicines that may relieve a tension headache include:
Be aware that:
If these medicines do not help, talk to your provider about prescription medicines. Outlook (Prognosis)Tension headaches often respond well to treatment. But if the headaches are long-term (chronic), they can interfere with life and work. When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalCall 911 if:
Also, contact your provider if:
PreventionLearn and practice stress management. Some people find relaxation exercises or meditation helpful. Biofeedback may help you improve the effect of doing relaxation exercises, and may be helpful for long-term (chronic) tension headache. Tips to prevent tension headaches:
Massaging sore muscles may also help. Alternative NamesTension-type headache; Episodic tension-type headache; Muscle contraction headache; Headache - benign; Headache - tension; Chronic headaches - tension; Rebound headaches - tension Patient Instructions
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ReferencesGarza I, Robertson CE, Smith JH, Whealy MA. Headache and other craniofacial pain. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 102. Hoffmann J, May A. Diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of cluster headache. Lancet Neurol. 2018;17(1):75-83. PMID: 29174963 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29174963/. Rozental JM. Tension-type headache, chronic tension-type headache, and other chronic headache types. In: Benzon HT, Raja SN, Liu SS, Fishman SM, Cohen SP, eds. Essentials of Pain Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 20. Review Date 11/9/2021Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Where is a stress headache at?A tension headache is the most common type of headache. It is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, and is often associated with muscle tightness in these areas.
What does an anxiety headache feel like?Anxiety causes a heavy head feeling because of tension headaches common in people living with the disorder. Most people describe these headaches as feeling like a tight band wrapped around their heads. A tightening of the scalp and neck muscles also causes an anxiety headache.
What type of headache indicates stress?Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Stress and muscle tension are often factors in these headaches. Tension headaches typically don't cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. They do cause a steady ache, rather than a throbbing one, and tend to affect both sides of the head.
How can I stop getting stress headaches?Advertisement. Keep stress under control. Stress and tension-type headaches often go hand in hand. ... . Ease muscle tension. Tense muscles can trigger tension-type headaches. ... . Relax. Take time to unwind every day. ... . Keep a headache diary. A diary may help you learn what triggers your tension-type headaches.. |
