By: Matthias C.
Tension-type headache is the most common form of headache. Painkillers taken 'as required' work well in most cases. Attention to lifestyle factors such as stress, posture, and exercise may help to prevent headaches. Medication to prevent headaches may help if you have frequent tension-type headaches.
Who gets tension-type headaches?
Most people have a tension-type headache from time to time. It is common to have 1 or 2 each month. Sometimes they develop more often, typically during times of stress. Some people have frequent headaches. About 3 in 100 people have a tension-type headache on most days.
What causes tension-type headaches?
Some, but not all, may be due to tension. The term 'tension-like headache' is now used rather than 'tension headache' as the cause is often not clear. Many tension-type headaches develop for no apparent reason. Other causes include the following.
Emotional tension, anxiety, or stress may cause some headaches.
Physical tension in the muscles of the scalp and neck may lead to a headache. For example, poor posture at a desk may cause the neck and scalp muscles to tense. If you squint to read because you cannot see well, this may tense your scalp muscles too.
Something may trigger a tension-type headache. For example: a food, bright sunlight, illness, a side-effect of medication, depression, cold, heat, tiredness, noise, caffeine, etc. Note: painkillers that you may take regularly can sometimes cause headaches similar to tensiontype headaches. For example, you may take a lot of painkillers for a bad spell of headaches. You may end up using painkillers every day, or on most days. Your body then becomes used to painkillers. A 'withdrawal' headache then develops if you do not take painkillers each day. (This is called 'medication headache'. A separate leaflet discusses this further.)
What are the symptoms of a tension-type headache?
Typically, the pain is like a tightness around the 'hat-band' area. Some people feel a 'squeezing' or 'pressure' on their head. It usually occurs on both sides of your head, and often spreads down your neck, or seems to come from your neck. Sometimes it is just on one side. The pain is usually moderate or mild, but sometimes it can be severe.
A tension-type headache can last from 30 minutes to 7 days. Most last a few hours or so.
The headache normally comes on during the day, and gets worse as the day goes on.
There are usually no other symptoms. Some people don't like bright lights or loud noises,
and don't feel like eating much when they have a tension-type headache.
How can I be sure it is not a more serious type of headache?
With tension-type headaches, you are normally well between headaches, and have no other ongoing symptoms. A doctor diagnoses that headaches are tension-type by their description. Also, there is nothing abnormal to find if a doctor examines you. Tests are not needed unless you have unusual symptoms, or something other than tension-type headaches is suspected. Compared to migraine (the other common type of headache that comes and goes), a tension-type headache is usually less severe, and is constant rather than throbbing. Also, migraine usually causes a one-sided headache, and many people with a migraine feel sick or vomit. In general, unlike migraine, you are usually able to continue with normal activities if you have a tension-type headache. Some people have both migraine and tension-type headaches at different times.
What are the treatments for tension-type headache?
Relaxation
A walk, some exercise, or simply taking a break from the normal routine may help. A neck and shoulder massage may help. A hot flannel on your neck or a warm bath may also help.
Painkillers
Paracetamol usually works well. It is best to take a full dose as soon as a headache starts. This may 'ward off' the headache better than treating it after it has fully developed. You can take a second dose after four hours if necessary. (For headaches, it is best not to use combination tablets that contain paracetamol and codeine such as co-codamol. They are more likely to cause 'medication headaches' as described above.) Anti-inflammatory painkillers are alternatives. For example, ibuprofen which you can buy at pharmacies, but you need a prescription for other types. Anti inflammatory painkillers may be more effective than paracetamol. However, some people develop side-effects such as stomach problems. Always read the leaflet which comes with the medicine packet. You should not take painkillers for headache for more than a few days at a time. Also, do not take them for more than 15 days in any month. If you take them more often, you may develop medication headaches (see above). Do not take painkillers all the time to prevent headaches. Take each day as it comes. See a doctor if you need painkillers for headaches on most days.
How can I prevent frequent tension-type headaches?
Diary
It may help to keep a diary if you have frequent headaches. Note when, where, how bad, and how long each headache lasts. Also note anything that may have caused it. A pattern may emerge and you may find a trigger to avoid. For example, hunger, eye strain, bad posture, stress, anger, etc.
Stress and depression
Stress is a common trigger for headaches. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible. Sometimes a stressful job or situation cannot be avoided. Learning to cope with stress and to relax may help. Breathing and relaxation exercises, or coping strategies, may ease anxiety in stressful situations and prevent a possible headache. There are books and tapes which can teach you how to relax. Sometimes a referral to a counsellor or psychologist may be advised. Depression can also cause frequent headaches. See a doctor if you feel that you are depressed.
Regular exercise
On average, tension-type headaches are more common in people who do not take much exercise compared to those who do. If you do not do much exercise, it may be worth trying some regular exercise like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, etc. (This will have other health benefits too apart from helping with headaches.) It is not clear how exercise helps. It may be that exercise helps to ease stress and tension which can have a knock-on effect of reducing headaches.
Medication
Amitriptyline is sometimes used to prevent frequent headaches. This is not a painkiller. It is an antidepressant medicine and you have to take it every day. (One effect of some antidepressants is to ease pain and prevent headaches even in people who are not depressed.) A low dose is started at first and may need to be increased over time. Once the headaches have been reduced for 4-6 months, the amitriptyline is stopped. Other medicines are sometimes tried if all else fails.
