Tension Headache SymptomsTension Headache Symptoms are really, really common. It is estimated that between 30 and 80% of people will have symptoms of tension headache each year. There are two types of tension headache - Episodic and Chronic. Episodic means that the headaches will come on for a while (few hours or few days) and then go away. Chronic means that they are there more than 50% of the time, and last for months or years. Here we are talking about Episodic Headache. The typical story is a pressure, squeezing, tightness around the whole head, or part of the head. Sometimes it can feel like a heavy weight sitting on top of the head. At other times tension headaches are more like a tight band around the head. Usually this sort of headache will last a few hours at a time. The pain is never that severe, so most people carry on with normal levels of activity. Tension headaches are commonly seen in people with viral illnesses. The label systemic illness headache is used, if this sort of headache happens with infection. Some people with tension headache will experience occasional brief sharp pains called ice-pick headache. To make a diagnosis of tension headache, very small amounts of nausea or intolerance of noise may occur, but usually there are no other symptoms. A doctor's neurological examination will be normal. What Causes Tension Headaches?Nobody really knows what causes them. It used to be thought that the neck and scalp muscles were tense - that is where the name tension-type headache comes from. However, no-one has ever proven that muscle tension is the cause.If you have been diagnosed with tension headache your doctor does not mean that you are a "tense" person - it's just the term that has been passed down over the years. It's maybe better to say "ordinary headache" instead. This type of headache is not due to a serious underlying disease, but it is one of the most common symptoms known to humans. In fact it is in the top 10 of all reasons worldwide to seek medical advice.
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