Tension Headaches

Many headache experts believe that tension-type headaches are simply a milder form of migraine headaches with many of the same headache triggers. (See Migraine Headache Triggers.) As a result, treatment options may include many of the same therapy approaches.  You may have tension-type headaches if you have the following symptoms. (Chances are you will not experience all, or even most, tension-type headache characteristics.)

Key Tension-Type Headache Characteristics:

• Tension-type headaches affect women more frequently than men.
• Pain is more intense as the day advances.
• Pain is episodic (occurring randomly and lasting for hours to days at a time) or chronic and persistent (occurring daily).
• Associated with sensations of tightness, pressure, or band-like constriction around the head.
• Associated with changes in muscle tension in the neck or head.

Be aware that what appears to be a "daily" tension-type headache may actually be a rebound reaction to pain-relief medications. See Rebound Headache.