Use the smallest dose that relieves your pain. Take these medications only when you need them. Always check in with your provider if you feel the need to use pain relievers more than twice a week. Make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle carefully. But overusing pain relievers can cause other problems. Over-the-counter pain relievers are generally safe. Are there any risks to taking medication to treat tension headaches? The antidepressant amitriptyline (Elavil®) has helped some people with chronic tension headaches. Certain medications reduce how often your headaches happen or how much they hurt. If over-the-counter pain relievers don’t help, your provider may prescribe medication. Your provider may recommend you first try one of these options to relieve your symptoms:Īre there any other tension headache medication options? If you get a tension headache every so often, over-the-counter pain relievers may effectively treat your pain. Anyone over age 50 with a new onset headache should see their doctor for an evaluation. Sometimes tension-type headaches may be a sign of an underlying disorder such as thyroid disease or an underlying tumor or a primary headache disorder, such as chronic migraine or new daily persistent headache. While chronic tension-type headaches can disrupt your life, tension headaches don’t tend cause serious health issues. While uncommon, these headaches can take a toll on your quality of life. ![]() Pain may stay at the same level of discomfort for days. People with chronic tension-type headaches can have symptoms that last for months at a time. Episodic headaches usually don’t last longer than a week. They often happen in the middle of the day. In general, episodic tension headache symptoms tend to come on slowly and end sooner. ![]() A tension-type headache may last for 30 minutes or (less commonly) months. How long does a tension-type headache last? Pain that gets worse when you’re near bright lights or loud sounds.Symptoms focused on one side of the head.Migraines and tension headaches tend to cause different symptoms. Migraines are another common headache type. How is a tension-type headache different from a migraine? Better after you take over-the-counter pain relievers.Some people describe tension headache pain as feeling like someone (or something) is squeezing both sides of their head together or a band around their head. People experience tension headache symptoms differently. Stress related to family, work or life challenges, such as starting or losing a job or juggling too many commitments.Pain in other parts of your head and neck caused by problems such as temporomandibular disorders.Eye strain, such as from staring at a computer screen for a long time.You may be more likely to have tension headaches if you have: What are some triggers that may bring on tension-type headaches? Some healthcare providers believe tightened muscles in the back of your head or neck may trigger (bring on) tension headaches. This headache type is not hereditary (run in families). Researchers haven’t identified one single cause for tension headaches. Women get tension headaches more often than men. get tension headaches.Ĭhronic tension headaches are much less common. Researchers estimate that as many as 2 in 3 adults in the U.S. People don’t always see their doctor for a tension headache, which makes exact numbers hard to predict. Chronic tension headaches happen 15 or more days each month for more than three months in a row. Chronic tension-type describe when your headache days outnumber headache-free days. ![]() Your provider may call them “infrequent” if you have one or fewer headaches each month. Episodic tension-type headaches happen less often (fewer than 15 days a month).They base the type on how many headaches you have and how often: Healthcare providers break down tension headaches into two main types. What are the types of tension-type headaches? This is what this headache is called by the official medical publication that classifies all headache disorders. Your healthcare provider may call your tension headache, "tension-type headache. Healthcare providers generally don’t consider tension headaches to be dangerous. ![]() They usually don’t cause other symptoms (like nausea or vomiting). These headaches often cause mild-to-moderate pain around the head, face or neck. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Rarely, severe, sudden head pain can be a sign of a serious health problem, such as a brain tumor. Some headaches may make routine tasks difficult or near impossible. Less commonly, more severe headaches (such as migraines) can cause throbbing pain. Medical experts group headaches into more than 100 types.įor most people, headaches lead to minor aches or pains and happen occasionally (every once in a while). Almost everyone experiences one at some point in life.
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