Tension Headache Quiz

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Reviewed By:

Unnati Patel

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (GP / Family doctor)

Dr Patel graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine. She worked in clinical research at the University of Illinois in Chicago and University of Nevada in Las Vegas focused on culturally adapted health interventions for preventive medicine in the community setting. Received her Master's of Science in Global Health (concentration in Health Policy) from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. Unnati went on to complete her family medicine residency in Chicago, Illinois at Norwegian American Hospital. | | She is currently working as a primary care physician in the city of Chicago and completing her Master's of Business Administration at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and Fellowship in Leadership in Value-Based Care.

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

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Learn more about Tension headache

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

What is tension headache?

A type of headache with band-like, pressing sensation at the forehead and sides. The causes include physical stress e.g. long periods of desk work and driving, or mental stress.

Symptoms of tension headache

  • Headache

  • Headache improved with warmth / bathing / showering

  • Headache worsens after long hours of desk work

  • Headache worsens with emotional stress

  • Neck pain or stiffness

  • Dizziness

  • Pain over the temples

  • Headache with a squeezing, heavy, or tight pain

Questions your doctor may ask to check for tension headache

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose tension headache

  • Do you have headaches or does your head feel heavy?

  • Does your headache improve when you warm up? Such as taking a bath/shower?

  • Does your headache worsen after long hours of desk work?

  • Does your headache worsen when you are stressed or anxious?

  • Do you have neck pain or stiffness?

Treatment for tension headache

Treatment is with lifestyle changes and medications. Getting more sleep, improving your posture, and reducing workload may help with relieving symptoms. Medications such as painkillers and muscle relaxants can help too. Nevertheless, patients should be aware than overusing these medicines can cause a different type of headache (medication overuse headache).

View the symptoms of Tension headache

References

  • Tension headaches

    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tension-headaches/

Reviewed By:

Unnati Patel

Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (GP / Family doctor)

Dr Patel graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine. She worked in clinical research at the University of Illinois in Chicago and University of Nevada in Las Vegas focused on culturally adapted health interventions for preventive medicine in the community setting. Received her Master's of Science in Global Health (concentration in Health Policy) from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. Unnati went on to complete her family medicine residency in Chicago, Illinois at Norwegian American Hospital. | | She is currently working as a primary care physician in the city of Chicago and completing her Master's of Business Administration at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and Fellowship in Leadership in Value-Based Care.

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

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