Tension Headaches

Cause

From Healthwise

The cause of tension headaches is not clear. Experts believe there may be more than one factor that causes a tension headache. In the past, doctors believed that tension or spasms of the muscles of the neck, face, jaw, head, or scalp played a role in causing these headaches. Now they think a change in brain chemistry may also help cause a tension headache.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tension headaches include:

• A constant headache that does not throb or pulse. You usually feel the pain or pressure on both sides of your head.
• Tightness around your forehead that may feel like a "vise grip."
• Aching pain at your temples or the back of your head and neck.

Unlike migraines, tension headaches do not often occur with nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to both light and noise (but you may have one or the other), and they are not usually disabling. Episodes of tension headaches last from 30 minutes to several days. Tension headaches are considered chronic when they occur at least 15 days or more a month.

Chronic tension headaches frequently occur along with other conditions such as anxiety or depression. While not common, serious conditions such as tumors or infections may cause a headache.