Tension-type headaches

Whento seek medical help

There's usually no need to see your GP if you only get occasional headaches. However, see your GP if you get headaches several times a week or your headaches are severe.

Your GP will ask questions about your headaches, family history, diet and lifestyle to help diagnose the type of headache you have.

You should seek immediatemedical advicefor headaches that:

come on suddenly and are unlike anything you've had before
are accompanied by a very stiff neck, fever, nausea, vomiting and confusion
follow an accident, especially if it involved a blow to your head
are accompanied by weakness, numbness, slurred speech or confusion

These symptoms suggest there could bea more serious problem, which may require further investigationand emergency treatment.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for tension-type headaches

Introduction

A tension-type headache is the most common type of headache and the one we think of as a normal, everyday headache.

Most people are likely to have experienced a tension headache at some point. They can develop at any age, but are more common in teenagers and adults. Women tend to suffer from them more commonly than

Whento seek medical help

There's usually no need to see your GP if you only get occasional headaches. However, see your GP if you get headaches several times a week or your headaches are severe.Your GP will ask questions abou

What causes tension headaches?

The exact cause of tension-type headaches isn't clear, but certain things have been known to trigger them, including: stress and anxiety squinting poor posture tiredness dehydration missing meals

Howare tension headachestreated?

Tension-type headaches aren't life-threatening and are usually relieved by painkillers or lifestyle changes.Lifestyle changesRelaxation techniques can often help with stress-related headaches. This ma

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