Most headaches are tension headaches. Some people get them often, especially if they have a lot of stress in their lives.
This kind of headache may cause pain or a feeling of pressure all over your head. Sometimes it's hard to know where the center of the pain is.
If you get a lot of these kind of headaches, it can help to talk to your doctor. You can work together to find the treatment that works best for you.
Where can they cause pain?
Tension headaches can cause pain:
In your upper back and neck.
At the base of your head.
Around your ears.
In your jaw.
Above your eyes.
What causes tension headaches?
The cause of tension headaches isn't clear. A change in brain chemistry may cause them. They can be brought on—or triggered—by stress, hunger, being tired, and not sleeping enough.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of tension headaches include a constant headache, usually with pain or pressure on both sides of your head. You may feel tightness around your forehead that feels like a "vise grip." You may also have aching pain at your temples or the back of your head and neck. The pain usually isn't severe.
How are they diagnosed?
A doctor can usually diagnose tension headaches by doing a physical exam and asking questions about how often the headaches happen, what the symptoms are, and about your overall health and lifestyle. In some cases, imaging and other tests may be done to rule out other health problems. But this isn't common.
How are tension headaches treated?
You can treat most tension headaches by taking over-the-counter pain medicines. Prescription medicines may help if you keep having headaches or if your headaches are very bad. Avoiding the things that trigger your headaches can also help.
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