Symptoms of tension headache:

• Steady, constant, dull, non-throbbing ache.
• Characterized by pressure and tightness in the headache. Often described as one's head feeling as if it's in a vise.
• Although pain may shift, it generally affects both sides of the head and spreads to the forehead.
• Affects males:females 40:60.
• More severe in afternoon and evening.
• To the sufferer, the pain may seem very severe, but as headache pain is measured, it is mild to moderate.
• Areas of the head and neck may be touch sensitive.
• Is not accompanied by aura, nausea and vomiting, or photophobia and phonophobia.
• Not generally made worse by movement.

• Poor appetite.
• Weakness/tiredness/fatigue.
• Depression.
• Sleep disturbances.

The pain of tension headaches occurs when the muscles in the head and neck tighten, pulling and stretching tissues and leading to the painful sensation of pressure. The most common trigger is stress and anxiety, physical and/or mental. There may be physical factors as well including, persistent noise, eye strain, too much caffeine, or grinding one's teeth. If you think you are having tension headaches, but aren't sure what's causing them, keeping a headache diary can be a great help.

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Tension Headaches