Tension Headache

Tension Headache Video

A tension headache is a frequent occurence in the lives of most individuals, and is almost always a non-life threatening situation.  Even so, these tension headaches are sometimes exceedingly painful.  A tension headache is placed in the primary headache category by the medical community, putting it in the most common categorization.  Tension headache symptoms include a feeling of tightness around the temples and over the eyes.  This feeling is typically explained as a band-like pressure.  This feeling of tightness typically forms into a painful sensation in a gradual fashion.

This pain can vary in intensity, although it is usually described as fairly mild.  Tension headache symptoms can be brought on by a variety of circumstances, and the exact causes are still a matter of some scientific uncertainty.  It is widely held that stressful physical and emotional situations can lead to a tension headache.  Tension headache symptoms tend to present when the patient is faced with a tough emotional or physical situation, and can develop quickly.  The headache usually starts out as a feeling of general tightness in the skull, developing into a painful experience. 

Treatment for tension headache symptoms typically involves a simple regimen of over the counter medication.  Any number of pain relievers typically work well enough to relieve tension headache symptoms.  Pain relievers such as Aleve and Ibuprofin are usually powerful enough to overcome tension headache symptoms.  Primary headaches usually happen on a random basis.  Regular headaches are sometimes a sign of another issue at play, and should be checked out with a doctor.  Tension headache symptoms should occur as a result of physical or emotional stress.  Headaches that begin more randomly, and seemingly without any provocation, may be cause for concern.  This is especially true if the symptoms are chronic, or present with additional symptoms, such as sensory issues.

More serious tension headache symptoms can include severe pain, focusing behind one or more eye.  If the pain involved is intolerable or presents with a runny nose/eyes, this may be a sign of a cluster headache.  Cluster headaches present as an extremely painful sensation behind the eye.  This sensation is sometimes powerful enough to trigger an emotional crisis.  Immediate medical care is necessary in these situations.

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