Tension-Type Headache (TTH)

Description of the Disease

Tension-type headache (TTH) is classified into two types: episodic and chronic. Episodic headaches may occur in response to stress, whereas chronic headaches can recur almost daily and may not be related to stress. Symptoms may include sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, low mood, reduced ability to work, and decreased interest in favorite activities. The pain may temporarily improve with physical activity, alcohol consumption, or painkillers, but the relief is usually short-lived.

Symptoms

Tension-type headaches occur approximately three times more often in women than in men and most commonly affect people between the ages of 15 and 50 years. The pain is typically felt throughout the head and is described as constant and pressing, with periods of increasing or decreasing intensity. It is usually present throughout the day and is not typically experienced at night.

Diagnosis

Episodic tension-type headache is diagnosed when headaches occur on fewer than 15 days per month, last from 30 minutes to 7 days, are bilateral, have a pressing or tightening quality, do not worsen with routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs, and are not accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Sensitivity to light or sound may be present.

Chronic tension-type headache is diagnosed when headaches occur on more than 15 days per month for longer than 3 months (more than 180 days per year). The primary difference from the episodic type is the frequency and duration of the headaches.

Treatment

Episodic tension-type headache is treated with psychophysiological techniques, physiotherapy, and painkillers used no more than two to three times per week to avoid medication-overuse headache.

Chronic tension-type headache is treated with preventive therapy while minimizing the use of painkillers. For example, if anxiety is present, appropriate anxiolytic therapy may b

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology