Tension Headaches - Cause
The cause of tension headaches is not clear. In the past, doctors believed that tension or spasms of the muscles of the neck, face, jaw, head, or scalp played a role in causing these headaches. Now they think a change in brain chemistry may also help cause a tension headache.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They can be brought on-or triggered-by things such as stress, depression, hunger, and muscle strain. Tension headaches may come on suddenly or slowly.
Hemicrania continua, or continuous headache, is a rare type of headache that doesn't stop. The pain is usually felt on one side of the face or head. It varies in severity. Patients with hemicrania continua describe a dull ache or throb that is interrupted by periods of pain that is: jolting sharp stabbing These attacks usually happen three to five times a day. Some patients will have these headaches steadily for months or years. In others, the pain will go away for weeks or months...
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Your headache may go away after you relax or take a pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Chronic tension headaches often occur along with other health problems such as anxiety or depression. Rarely, serious problems such as tumors or infections may cause a headache.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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