Tension Headache

A tension headache is a frequent occurence in the lives of most individuals, and is almost always a non-life threatening situation.

Even so, these tension headaches can be very painful under some circumstances. A tension headache is placed in the primary headache category by the medical community, making it by far the most common kind of headache. Tension headache symptoms include a feeling of tightness around the temples and over the eyes. This feeling is typically explained as a band-like pressure. This feeling of tightness typically forms gradually as a painful sensation over the span of a few hours.

This pain can range widely in intensity, although it is usually described as fairly mild. Tension headache symptoms can be brought on by a variety of circumstances, and the exact causes are still a matter of some scientific uncertainty. It is widely held that physical and emotional stress play a role in tension headache. Tension headache symptoms tend to present when the patient is faced with a tough emotional or physical situation, and can develop quickly. The headache usually begins as a tight sensation, developing into pain.

Treatment for tension headache symptoms is fairly simple, and can normally be accomplished with affordable over the counter medications. Any number of pain relievers typically work well enough to relieve tension headache symptoms. Pain relievers such as Aleve and Ibuprofin are well suited to overcoming tension headache symptoms. Primary headaches should occur in a fairly random fashion. Regular headaches are sometimes a sign of a more serious condition, and should be checked out with a doctor. Tension headache symptoms should occur as a result of physical or emotional stress. Headaches occuring frequently and without provocation are cause for a visit to a specialist. This is especially true when symptoms present on a chronic basis.

More serious tension headache symptoms can include severe pain, focusing behind one or more eye. If the pain involved is intolerable or presents with a runny nose/eyes, this may be a sign of a cluster headache. Cluster headaches present as an extremely painful sensation behind the eye. This sensation can be intense enough to drive patients into a pain crisis. Immediate medical care is necessary in these situations