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Tension headache (NBG) is the most common headache, accounting for up to 90 percent of all primary headaches. There are many theories about the mechanisms of its formation, one thing is known for sure - its source is stress. How is tension headache diagnosed? How should the treatment of tension headache work?

Tension headacheprobably everyone knows - this is theheadachethat occurs when you are very tired, overworked, too well you had fun the day before, or when in the evening you realize that you haven't eaten anything since breakfast, and what's worse, you forgot to drink even a glass of water.

Tension headache: causes

The most common sources of tension headaches are:

  • stress,
  • hunger,
  • dehydration,
  • lack of sleep,
  • weather,
  • stimulants,
  • staying in one uncomfortable position for a long time.

Tension headache: symptoms

Tension headache is usually felt around the forehead, temples, sometimes it covers the entire head. Besides, tension pain:

  • is double-sided, spilled, girdling, can be dull, oppressive or crushing;
  • lasts from half an hour to several days of the week;
  • the pain is initially not intense, increasing over time, sometimes up to the level of migraine.

The most common symptoms of tension pain are:

  • sleep disorders,
  • chronic fatigue syndrome,
  • noise sensitivity,
  • decreased appetite,
  • rare: nausea, vomiting, photophobia.

Tension headaches: rare, frequent, and chronic

Tension headache attacks tend to appear more and more frequently, and rare episodes - occurring less than once a month (less than 12 times a year), turn into frequent episodes. We talk about chronic tension pain when the headache affects the patient 15 days a month for at least 3 months. Such attacks can last for hours.

Tension headache: treatment

First of all, avoid the situations that are at the source of the pain: eat regularly, hydrate the body, get enough sleep and keep stress in check using the techniquesrelaxing. Pharmacological treatment of tension headache consists of the emergency intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, ketoprofen) or paracetamol. For chronic pain, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.

Tension headache: risk factors

  • being a woman,
  • hormonal changes,
  • depression and anxiety disorders,
  • genetic factors,
  • trauma in the head and neck area,
  • bruxism (teeth grinding while sleeping)
  • abuse of psychoactive substances and painkillers.

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Category:

Neurology