Pharmacologic options for acute treatment of tension headache. It typically causes throbbing or pulsing pain, which is often on one side of your head. When a child presents with headache, it is important to determine whether the cause is due to primary disorder, as in migraine or tension type headache tth versus secondary, due to a brain lesion or infection. Headache topic sheet spanish national headache foundation. Guideline for primary care management of headache in.
The management of chronic daily headache depends on the type of background headache eg, chronic migraine or chronic tensiontype headache and the presence or absence of medication overuse. It is generally thought of as a headache problem, but. Your headache threshold by this time may be much higher for a variety of reasons better management of stress, exercise program, improved sleep, etc. This collection features the best content from afp, as identified by the afp editors, on headaches and related issues, including cluster headaches, migraines, tension type headaches, and treatment.
Headaches are often treatable with medications andor lifestyle changes. Painkillers, taken only when needed for the pain, work well in most cases. This was a crosssectional study conducted on 210 patients with tensiontype and. Encourage patients to keep a headache diary to monitor headache frequency, intensity, triggering factors and clinical practice brief guideline for primary care management of headaches in adults. Headache is a common complaint of children and adolescents. Cluster headache patient guide the cluster headache.
A tension headache occurs when neck and scalp muscles become tense, or contract. Lipton, mdb,c headaches are acommon reason for visiting aneurologist, a primary care provider, or an emergency department. Tth previously just called tension headache is classified as a primary headache according to the international classification of headache disorders. Dec 22, 2014 headaches are a major cause of morbidity. Chronic is a word doctors use to descr ibe any medical condition that people liv e with for a long time. A tension headache causes a constant ache and tightness around the forehead, temples, or the back of.
An episodic tension headache may be described as a mildtomoderate, constant, bandlike pain or pressure. A migraine usually starts gradually and then becomes more severe. The information in this handout is for general education. Patient leaflets from the bmj group chronic tension headache. Tension headaches tend to worsen as the day goes on. These two types often overlap in their symptoms and their response to medication. The management of chronic daily headache depends on the type of background headache eg, chronic migraine or chronic tension type headache and the presence or absence of medication overuse. Pain selfmanagement strategies if you have chronic pain, this guide can help you manage your pain. A tension headache may feel like a tight band around the head, a dull ache on both sides of the head or a heavy weight on top of the head. Physical factors such as bright sunlight, cold, heat, noise, etc. The criteria used to determine the categorization of the recommendations do, do not do, and do not know are defined at the end of the major recommendations field. Sensitivity to light is a standard symptom of the two most prevalent types.
Tensiontype headaches tth are mild to moderate, bilateral episodes that can be. Most are available in both english and spanish, and we hope they are a useful supplement to any materials you currently give patients. Treatment of chronic migraine and chronic tensiontype. If you are going to exercise to help relieve stress, do so at an intensity level that is. The national headache foundation is a leader in headache and migraine awareness, providing headache research and migraine research and resources for those suffering with severe migraines and headaches.
Pain self management strategies if you have chronic pain, this guide can help you manage your pain. While moderate physical activity is good for stress management, overly vigorous activity can actually contribute to stress levels. Treatment may include manual therapy, pharmacological drugs, physical therapy, and relaxationcognitive therapies. Overthecounter or prescription medications may help, but simply taking good care of yourself also can help prevent a pounding headache. Migraine is a common clinical problem characterized by episodic attacks of head pain and associated symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light, sound, or head movement. When a child presents with headache, it is important to determine whether the cause is due to primary disorder, as in migraine or tensiontype headache tth versus secondary, due to a brain lesion or infection. When the occasional headache strikes, most of us take an overthecounter otc analgesic, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, or a painrelief medication containing caffeine. See overview of chronic daily headache, section on treatment. Physical tension in the muscles of the scalp and neck.
The most common types of chronic daily headache are chronic migraines and. While otc analgesics can help relieve headache pain they must be taken correctly or they could actually make your headaches worse. Both are characterized as dull, aching and nonpulsating pain and affect both sides of the head. Manage stress workbook department of veterans affairs. Treatment of chronic migraine and chronic tensiontype headache. Gently massage your temples, scalp, neck and shoulders with your fingertips, or gently stretch the neck. Patient is aware of headache, but able to continue daily routine with minimum alterations. Edema management handout hand rehabilitation foundation. Use a heating pad set on low, a hot water bottle, a hot shower or bath, a warm compress, or a hot towel. The pain may spread to the whole head or move into the neck and shoulders. Your uhs clinician is available to evaluate your symptoms and help you find strategies for headache relief.
In general, there is a decrease in headache intensity and an increase in the incidence of atypical symptoms of migraine vertigo, ear pain, bowel symptoms, etc as patients mature. Refer to the top patient handout food triggers, caffeine and migraine attacks for more information. May 10, 2019 massage also can relieve muscle tension and sometimes headache pain. A tension headache may cause pain or a feeling of pressure all over your head. Often, patients will live with headache pain for months or even years before seeking care. The most common types of chronic daily headache are chronic migraines and chronic tensiontype headaches. Many lifestyle factors influence migraine and other headache conditions. A tension headache causes a constant ache and tightness around the forehead, temples, or the back of the head and neck. Conclusion a clinical practice guideline for the canadian health care context was created using a guideline adaptation process to assist multidisciplinary primary care practitioners in. Lie down on your back or sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor. Most headaches that cause a medical visit are benign in nature in that the pain is selflimited and mortality or irreversible morbidity. Now in its third edition beta version, this system includes a tension type headache tth category, further defined as either episodic or chronic. This learn to cope strategy may be best for all but those impossible to manage in this manner.
Some advice is also provided for the diagnosis and investigation of secondary headache disorders and the management of cervicogenic headache. Youll quickly discover there is no silver bullet to stop cluster headaches. Identifying and correcting one or more triggers may reduce headache frequency and severity. Home care when you have the headache, take pain relief and rest in a dark room. Gradually increase the number of repetitions and try to regain your full range of movement as soon as you can. Often, patients will live with headache pain for months or even years. May 19, 2017 treatment of chronic migraine and chronic tension. Talk to your doctor about stress management or sign up for our stress management class by calling the health education department at 301. Edema management handout 2015 bryan a spinelli, pt, ms, ocs, cltlana traditional edema management elevation exercise massage modalities compression tubigrip, edema gloves complete decongestive therapy phase i. Headaches and migraines university health services. Headache remains the most common cause of neurological consultation in clinical practice for which correct diagnosis and treatment are essential. In addition, an explanation of the evidence source i. Now in its third edition beta version, this system includes a tensiontype headache tth category, further defined as either episodic or chronic. Managing the difficult headache patient request pdf.
Exercise for the management and treatment of cervicogenic. Nov 21, 2017 the international headache society ihs began developing a classification system for headaches in 1985. Tension headaches are often associated with stress, fatigue or muscle strain. Tension type headaches are the most common, affecting upwards of 75% of all headache sufferers. Over the counter or prescription medications are often useful in pain management of migraines.
If you keep getting tension headaches, the best thing you can do to limit them is to find out what is causing them and then make changes in those areas. If you have answered yes to two or more of the questions above, you may be having tension headaches. Migraine and tension headaches health note my doctor online. Reduction phase skin and nail care manual lymphatic drainage compression bandaging exercise. Conclusion a clinical practice guideline for the canadian health care context was created using a guideline adaptation process to assist multidisciplinary primary care practitioners in providing evidenceinformed care for patients with headache. A tensiontype headache may appear periodically episodic, fewer than 15 days per month or chronically more than 15 days per month. An integrative approach to recurring headaches determine if headaches are from medication overuse create a plan for discontinuation of pain medication. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach, and at times disturbed vision. Encourage patients to keep a headache diary to monitor headache frequency, intensity, triggering factors and medication use. If a red flag for a secondary cause of headache is present, magnetic resonance imaging of. Therefore, taking care of these lifestyle factors may help reduce. The guidelines main focus is primary headache disorders eg, migraine, tension type, and cluster headache and medicationoveruse headache. Nearly everyone is familiar with the pain of tensiontype headaches.
After this period of time, you can slowly reintroduce foods one group at a time to see if the headaches return. Treatment of tensiontype headache typically involves the use of overthecounter analgesics. Signs of a tension headache include a dull or constant throbbing pain above the eyes and across the back of the head. Patient leaflets from the bmj group chronic tension headache most people get headaches from time to time. Cluster headache patient guide the cluster headache support. It can occur at any age, but it is most common in teens and adults. A tension headache is pain or discomfort in your head, scalp, or neck. Oa patient information handout on tension headaches, written by the authors of. Please click on the links below for the following documents updated may 2012. Algorithm 1 approach to headache evaluation algorithm 2 headache action plan target population background definitions. Chcs are encouraged to alter these patient education handouts, in order to personalize them for each individual organization. It may start in childhood and disappear and reappear in new forms throughout an individuals life. In the diagnosis of any pathology, it is as important to know what other pathologies mimic a tension headache. But if you have chronic tension headache, you have a headache most days.
Tension type headaches are classified by the international headache society as chronic tension type headaches when they occur for 15 daysmonth or more and episodic tension type headaches when less than 15 daysmonth. A sample headache diary is included on the back of this handout. Stay on the headache elimination diet for 3 months. Patient level information uptodate offers two types of patient education materials. These headaches may last from 30 minutes to several days. Guideline for primary care management of headache in adults. Attention to lifestyle factors, such as stress, posture and exercise, may help to prevent headaches. There may also be aching and tightness in the neck and shoulders.
Migraine headache a migraine headache is caused by the swelling of blood vessels in the brain. Women are 3 times more likely to have migraines than men. This may ward off the headache better than treating it after it has fully developed. Guideline for primary care management of headaches in adults. Tension headache is the most common form of headache.
Mar 14, 2018 tension headache is the most common form of headache. But sometimes you can have a migraine without a headache. Welcome to our new patient guide, where you will learn what cluster headache is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what you can do to manage this painful condition. Tension type headache tth is a significant cause of sickness absence and impaired ability at work.
Find out more about the symptoms and treatment here. Possible bridge therapy naproxen sodium or meclofenamate sodium or prednisone acupuncture raskin protocolmost effective for severe rebound headaches identify and remove headache triggers. Headache hygiene is the practice of taking care of yourself in a way that will reduce the likelihood, frequency, intensity, and severity of headaches. Exercise the following exercises can be done three to four times a day. Activities that put the head and neck in a tense, prolonged posture i. Tensiontype headache tth american migraine foundation. A tension type headache may appear periodically episodic, fewer than 15 days per month or chronically more than 15 days per month. About 50% of patients had a headache every day of their lives that may persist for 1030 years or more. Tension headaches may occur from time to time or daily. This collection features the best content from afp, as identified by the afp editors, on headaches and related issues, including cluster headaches, migraines. Please work with your health care practitioner to use the information in the best way possible to promote your health. The international headache society ihs began developing a classification system for headaches in 1985. The treatment of tension headache, chronic daily headache. Physical activity increases endorphins, improves sleep, raises selfesteem, and releases muscle tension.
Migraine and tension headache guideline kaiser permanente. Apply heat or ice to relieve tense neck and shoulder muscles. Avsheadachediary and the handout your headache log internal. Sep 09, 2018 welcome to our new patient guide, where you will learn what cluster headache is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what you can do to manage this painful condition. However, the upper cervical spine also receives afferent inputs from muscles. Migraine headache patient handout migraine is an episodic disabling headache and affects 12% of the american adult population. This style of trigger management rather than avoidance leads to successful headache management for many. To manage tension headaches, you will need to coordinate the use of medications, physical therapy, biofeedback, sometimes psychological counseling, nutrition, and an orthotic for orofacial pain.
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