| Tension headaches are one of the most common | | | | with caffeine or a sedative drug in a single |
| forms of headaches. Tension headaches can | | | | medication. |
| occur when the patient also has a migraine. | | | | Combination drugs such as this may be more |
| Tension-type headaches account for nearly 90% | | | | effective than are pure analgesics for pain relief. |
| of all headaches. Approximately 3% of population | | | | Avoid situations that may cause a tension |
| suffers from chronic-tension type headache. | | | | headache. Use good posture when reading, |
| Tension-type headaches can be episodic or | | | | working, or involved in activities that may cause a |
| chronic. Episodic tension-type headaches are | | | | headache. Exercise the neck and shoulders |
| defined as tension-type headaches occurring less | | | | frequently. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors |
| than 15 days a month, whereas chronic tension | | | | (SSRIs). Antidepressants such as paroxetine |
| headaches occur 15 days or more a month for at | | | | (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor) and fluoxetine |
| least 6 months. Tension-type headaches can last | | | | (Prozac, Sarafem) produce fewer side effects |
| from minutes to days or even months, though a | | | | than do the tricyclic antidepressants but generally |
| typical tension headache lasts 4-6 hours. Other | | | | are less reliable in preventing headache. Acute |
| causes include eye strain, fatigue, alcohol use, | | | | therapy aims to stop or reduce the pain of an |
| excessive smoking, excessive caffeine use, sinus | | | | existing headache attack. Exercise regularly. |
| infection, nasal congestion, overexertion, colds, | | | | Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, |
| and influenza. Tension headaches are not | | | | swimming or biking, can help reduce the |
| associated with structural abnormalities in the | | | | frequency and intensity of headaches. These |
| brain. Tension headaches result from the | | | | include codeine combined with acetaminophen and |
| contraction (tensing) of neck and scalp muscles. | | | | oxycodone. Massage. Massage is a wonderful way |
| One cause of this muscle contraction is a | | | | to reduce stress and relieve tension. In some |
| response to stress, depression, head injury, or | | | | cases, short term use of prescription medications |
| anxiety. | | | | may be tried. Some patients respond to |
| Tension-type headache is the most common type | | | | antidepressants or beta-blockers. |
| of chronic recurring head pain. Sleeping in a cold | | | | Tension Headaches Treatment Tips |
| room or sleeping with the neck in an abnormal | | | | 1. Avoid situations that may cause a tension |
| position may also trigger this type of headache. | | | | headache. |
| Tension headache may be made worse by jaw | | | | 2. Use good posture when reading, working, or |
| pain from clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism) or | | | | involved in activities that may cause a headache. |
| by head trauma, such as a blow to the head or | | | | 3. Exercise the neck and shoulders frequently. |
| whiplash injury. People with stiff joints and | | | | 4. Treatment for this type of headache usually |
| muscles due to arthritis of the neck or | | | | includes nonprescription pain relievers such as |
| inflammation of the shoulder joints may develop | | | | aspirin or ibuprofen. |
| tension headache. Treatment depends on the | | | | 5. Try to avoid sitting, standing or working in one |
| type of headaches. One reason is that tension | | | | position for long periods of time. |
| headache usually is easy to treat with | | | | 6. Do regular stretching and strengthening |
| over-the-counter medications. Analgesics are pain | | | | exercises for your neck and shoulders. |
| relievers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and a | | | | 7. Applying heat or ice to sore muscles may ease |
| class of drugs known as nonsteroidal | | | | the tension. |
| anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in | | | | 8. Use a heating pad set on low, a hot-water |
| reducing headache pain. Aspirin or acetaminophen | | | | bottle, a warm compress or a hot towel. |
| (or both of these analgesics) are often combined | | | | |