Tension Type Headache Or Muscle Contraction Headache |
| Muscle
Contraction Headache or Acute Tension Type Headache occurs in
about 50% of the population on a monthly basis but is usually low
impact which is why it is not seen a lot in primary care. Typically
the tension headache is mild to moderate only, non-pulsating and
bilateral. Sensory sensitivity to noise or light is more likely
to be associated with migraine.
Difficulties arise when patients who are suffering from migraine
are misdiagnosed as having tension headache. They then do not receive
appropriate management. Patients often describe the pain as a "feeling
of tightness or squeezing'. The causes of tension headache are not
known. It is possible but rare to get tension headache without exacerbations
-causing daily or near daily background symptoms. This is part of
the Chronic Daily Headache
Syndrome and needs managing as such.
Management: Effective management of tension headache usually consists of OTC analgesics such as paracetamol (acetaminophen -USA), aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID) as well as massage, relaxation or even a hot bath. To monitor your stress consider taking the SPI© test Source: Dr Andrew Dowson Publication Date: July 2003
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