{"id":16837,"date":"2022-05-10T11:49:13","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T09:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neurologiaclinica.es\/neurological-diseases-and-disorders\/tension-headache\/"},"modified":"2025-04-16T18:40:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T16:40:39","slug":"tension-headache","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neurologiaclinica.es\/en\/neurological-diseases-and-disorders\/tension-headache\/","title":{"rendered":"Tension headache"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Tension headache<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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What is tension-type headache or tension headache?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt is a primary headache that presents with oppressive pain, bilateral, of mild or moderate intensity and does not usually interfere with activities of daily living. It is convenient to differentiate it from chronic migraine and headache secondary to cervical or cranial muscular pathology (myofascial syndrome), since they have similar symptoms. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What factors influence the development of tension headache?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe cause of tension headache is unknown, although factors that can trigger it have been identified, such as:\n\n
  • Genetic factors:<\/strong> there is often a family history of tension headache.<\/strong> <\/li>\n
  • Psychological factors<\/strong> such as stress, anxiety and depression can aggravate this type of headache.<\/li>\n
  • Lack of sleep<\/strong> or poor sleep quality can influence the onset of tension-type headache. Insufficient rest adversely affects the nervous system and may increase susceptibility to headaches. <\/li>\n
  • Peripheral mechanisms:<\/strong> people with tension headache often have pain on palpation in the muscles of the neck and head, due to an activation of the “peripheral pain receptors”.<\/li>\n
  • Central mechanisms:<\/strong> the presence of chronic pain in tension headache is associated with an increased sensitivity of the brain to different stimuli and a decreased pain threshold. <\/li>\n
    Tension headache is a multifactorial disorder in which the interaction between various elements, such as emotional stress, lack of sleep, and central and peripheral sensitization of the nervous system, can trigger episodes of headache. Understanding these causes is essential for the effective management of this headache. It is therefore important to seek medical attention for more specialized treatment. <\/br>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    What are the symptoms of tension headache?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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  • Pain of mild to moderate intensity<\/strong>, which usually does not prevent the performance of activities of daily living. <\/li>\n
  • Sensation of Pressure.<\/strong> The pain is usually oppressive, like a helmet or a tight band on the head. <\/li>\n
  • Localization of pain. <\/strong>It usually affects both sides of the head and may be located in different areas, including the forehead, temples, top of the head or nape of the neck. This diffuse distribution contributes to the generalized feeling of discomfort. <\/li>\n
  • Frequency.<\/strong> The duration of the episodes ranges from hours to several days and the frequency varies from patient to patient. The most severe form is chronic tension headache, with more than 14 days of headache per month. <\/li>\n
  • Associated symptoms.<\/strong> In general, tension headache is characterized by the absence of accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, characteristic of migraine. Some patients present sensitivity to light or sound coinciding with the headache. <\/li>\n
  • Pain not aggravated by physical activity.<\/strong> Unlike migraine, tension headache is not usually aggravated by routine physical activity and affected individuals can continue with their daily activities, even if the discomfort persists. The pain is usually more frequent at the end of the day. <\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    How is tension headache diagnosed?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe diagnosis of tension headache involves careful evaluation of the patient’s symptoms and exclusion of other possible causes of headache. It is based on the following aspects: \n