Headaches
This factsheet is about the "normal" headaches that people often refer to as "tension headaches" or "stress headaches". The medical term for these is tension-type headaches. They are different to migraine headaches, which typically involve pain on only one side of the head and are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, severe sensitivity to light and visual disturbance.
Tension-type headaches
This type of headache usually affects both sides of the head. They may involve dizziness and mild nausea, but unlike migraines, tension-type headaches rarely prevent people from carrying out normal activities.
Some people describe the pain as pressure, tightness, a constant dull ache, or a squeezing, like a band around the head. The pain may be spread throughout the head or concentrated at the base of the skull or the front of the head.
What causes headaches?
It´s estimated that over 95% of the population suffer from occasional tension-type headaches. Even so, very little is known about the precise causes. Mental or muscular tension is usually associated with these headaches, but does not necessarily cause them. They are most common in women and in people with a family history of headaches. Additional factors that make people more likely to have tension-type headaches have been identified as:
- emotional or psychological problems such as depression, anxiety or stress,
- certain muscular disorders and poor posture,
- the over-use of headache relieving medication.
Occasional headaches are referred to as episodic headaches. They can last from half an hour to a week and may be brought on by obvious factors such as overwork, emotional upset or the approach of a menstrual period.
Chronic headaches
When the headaches are prolonged or very frequent, they are referred to as chronic. About 3% of people suffer from this type of headache - some have a headache nearly every day and this can go on for years. Individuals who suffer from this kind of persistent headache often fear that there may be a serious underlying cause such as brain tumour, but it is extremely unlikely that this is the case.
Some people are prone to both tension-type headaches and migraines. Each condition may require individual treatment.
Rebound heachaches
People who get severe or frequent headaches often tend to take ever-increasing quantities of painkillers. The over-use of these actually reduces their effectiveness, and not only do they not work, they can cause further headaches (known as rebound headaches). If this is the case, it is essential that the use of painkillers is stopped, although initially this may result in withdrawal symptoms such as worsening of the headaches, nausea, vomiting, insomnia and anxiety. The withdrawal symptoms can last from three to 10 days.
When to see a doctor
Most people don’t visit their doctor when they get a headache. However, medical advice should be sought if:
- a severe headache, unlike any you’ve had before, comes on suddenly,
- the headaches are severe or frequent,
- the headache is sudden, severe and a stiff neck develops soon afterwards,
- the pain is worse on waking,
- the headache follows a fall or blow to the head,
- the headache is accompanied by a stiff neck, fever, nausea, vomitting, drowsiness and confusion
- there is also weakness, paralysis, numbness, visual disturbances, slurred speech, confusion, or behaviour changes.
Treatment
For most people, headaches get better on their own and no treatment is required. Occasional, mild headaches can also be treated successfully by simple over-the-counter pain relievers (analgesics) such as paracetamol and aspirin. Ask your doctor for advice and always follow the instructions about dosage.
Pain relievers that contain caffeine and codeine are best avoided for regular use, as these are more likely to cause dependence and over-use.
People who get chronic headaches may need to avoid analgesics altogether. The preferred approach to managing chronic headache is to use preventive medication. Your doctor will discuss these medications with you.
Lifestyle
As tension-type headache is associated with emotional factors such as anxiety and stress, it is important to look at the part these may be playing and to make any changes to lifestyle that are possible. For example, if over-work is causing anxiety and fatigue leading to headaches, the individual´s workload is part of the problem and needs to be addressed.
Various forms of the relaxation have also been tried for the treatment of chronic headache. Studies have shown that it is effective in some people, but for the benefits to last, any relaxation practice needs to be incorporated into day-to-day life. Complementary approaches may be helpful in reducing stress and aiding relaxation. For example, acupuncture, yoga sport and massage, and aromatherapy may be helpful.
Advice on good posture may be beneficial, particularly for people who work at a desk or with computers. A balanced diet and regular exercise will contribute to general health and wellbeing, and this may also help to make tension headaches less likely.