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Our neurology
physicians at GRMC
are here to assist
with migraines,
headaches,
Parkinson’s, stroke,
Alzheimer’s,
dementia, tremors
and more. Please
call
830.379.1510
for more
information.
Colin
Sanner,
MD
Kevin
McMahon,
MD
When tension targets
your head
If that pain sounds familiar,
you’ve had what’s called a tension
headache.
Headaches are the most common
type of pain we experience, and
tension headaches are the most
common type of headache.
Viselike pain is this headache’s
giveaway symptom. And typically, it
has at least two of these traits. It:
• Is mild to moderate in intensity
• Doesn’t get worse with routine
physical activity, such as bending
over or climbing stairs
• Is characterized by pain with
a tightening sensation—not
throbbing
• Occurs on both sides of your head
Migraine or tension?
Sometimes
it’s tough to distinguish a bad tension
headache from a migraine attack. But
there are differences.
Unlike migraines, tension
headaches never cause vomiting.
And while migraines can cause
a sensitivity both to light and to
sound, these symptoms never occur
together in tension headaches.
Still, be aware that a tension
headache might bring on a migraine.
Triggers and treatments
As
the name implies, stress may bring
on a tension headache. But so might
missed meals or lack of sleep; strained
head and neck muscles; or a medical
condition, such as sleep apnea.
If you only have occasional tension
headaches, you might treat them
with an over-the-counter (OTC) pain
reliever, such as acetaminophen.
But check the label for possible side
effects and to be sure that it’s safe to
take with other medicines.
See your doctor if you have
frequent tension headaches or if OTC
medicines don’t help your pain.
Your doctor will check to see
if an underlying disease might be
causing your headaches and needs
treatment.
Assuming that’s not the case, your
doctor may prescribe a pain reliever
to take when you have a headache
and one to help prevent headaches
if you have more than two or three a
week.
You’ll need to take this preventive
medicine daily, even when you’re
headache-free.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians;
American Headache Society; National Institutes of
Health; UpToDate
You’re up against a tight deadline at work. And you’re
afraid you’re about to miss it. Making matters worse, it
feels as though a belt is tightening around your head.
2 | GRMC Health Currents