Headaches triggered by tension or stress are one of the most common types of headaches in adults. Those suffering from tension headaches may feel a dull pain, tightness, or pressure around their forehead or the back of their head and neck. Their scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles may also feel tender. The person having a tension headache may feel like there is a tight band on their head causing the pain.

People may get an episodic tension headache once or twice per month on average, or they may suffer from chronic tension headaches, which may be continuous and occur for over 15 days a month for at least three months.

Tension headaches most often do not need any treatment as they do not cause severe pain. They may go away on their own. In case they persist or are causing regular discomfort, our expert doctors at Metro Hospitals can provide a comprehensive treatment while following the patient-centric approach.

Treatment Procedures

Before going for additional tests and scans, the doctors at Metro Hospitals will follow a set of procedures to help reduce the occurrence of tension headaches and also determine their cause.

1. Consultation
   Our doctors will ask in-depth questions to figure out the cause and severity of the headaches. Some of these questions may be regarding the time, length, frequency and location of the headaches. Further questions include if there were any recent changes in the patient’s behaviour or personality, do changes in position aggravate the headaches, does the patient have any trouble falling asleep, whether they are going through any recent stress, whether they have had any head trauma or injury, etc. Answer these questions accurately to help doctors reach the correct diagnosis and provide treatment accordingly.
2. Medication
   Following the consultation, doctors will prescribe certain medications to help relieve the headaches. Mostly over-the-counter pain medications work for episodic tension headaches. However, medications should only be used as prescribed or in dire need, and not occasionally, as overuse may cause “rebound” headaches. Depending on the patient’s condition, doctors may prescribe medications combined with caffeine or a sedative drug, as they are more effective than single-ingredient painkillers. Other medications may include anti-depressants and muscle relaxers. In rare cases, narcotics and opioids may be required as well.
3. Diet
   The doctors will ask at length questions about your diet habits. This is because certain diet habits may trigger tension headaches. The doctors will advise you not to skip meals, especially breakfast. They may also ask you to maintain meal logs and see if certain foods trigger your headaches. If so, avoiding these foods may reduce the occurrence of tension headaches.
4. Exercise
   Doctors may also recommend regular exercise sessions of 30 minutes to help reduce tension headaches.
5. Stress management
   Tension headaches may be caused by stress and lack of sleep. You will be recommended certain stress relief techniques that may be helpful in relieving these headaches.

Other alternative treatments for recurring or chronic tension headaches include relaxation techniques, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or Acupuncture. These alternative forms of treatments may be used with medications and lifestyle changes to reduce and eliminate tension headaches.

Further Diagnosis

Tension headaches are usually treated with medication. However, if the aches are chronic or cause severe discomfort, our doctors may run certain tests to determine if they suspect another underlying cause behind them. Some of these tests include:

1. Blood tests
2. CT or CAT scan
3. MRI
4. Sinus X-rays

These tests may help the doctors to see if there are additional underlying medical conditions that may be causing the headaches. We recommend our patients openly ask any queries they might have regarding their condition, medication, or the prescribed diagnostic tests.

Benefits of Tension Headache Treatments

Although tension headaches often cause mild to moderate pain, continuous recurrence may cause discomfort and affect the quality of life. Tension headache treatments are aimed at reducing the occurrence of these headaches as well as managing the pain caused by them. With the correct treatment, patients can live their lives without being severely affected by the pain. The treatment may also eliminate the occurrence of future headaches in the long run.

At Metro Hospitals, tension headache treatment is meant to help patients manage these pains with the use of the right medications, along with alternative treatment plans and lifestyle recommendations. In case the headaches are severe and increasing in frequency, our doctors will perform a thorough examination to eliminate any further causes behind the condition.