Tension headache

A common primary headache disorder causing usually bilateral pressing or tightening pain. It typically occurs without nausea or vomiting and may involve tenderness in the head, neck, or shoulders.

Nociception: The nervous system’s encoding and processing of potentially tissue-damaging stimuli. Pain sensitivity in this disorder involves both peripheral input and central processing.
Primary headache disorder: A headache condition in which the headache itself is the disorder, rather than a symptom of another disease. Tension headache is classified as primary when no underlying cause accounts for the attacks.
Paracetamol: An analgesic and fever-reducing medicine also known as acetaminophen. It is one option for acute relief in some people with tension headache.
Episodic tension-type headache: Tension-type headache occurring on fewer than 15 days per month. This form describes attacks that remain below the chronic frequency threshold.
Pericranial tenderness: Increased tenderness of muscles and soft tissues around the skull, often assessed by palpation. It is a common examination finding, especially in frequent or chronic tension headache.
International Classification of Headache Disorders: The diagnostic classification system published by the International Headache Society. Its criteria define episodic and chronic tension-type headache.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug: A class of medicines that reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes. Medicines in this class are commonly used for acute tension-headache pain.
Chronic tension-type headache: Tension-type headache occurring on 15 or more days per month for over three months. This form brings persistent burden and preventive treatment into focus.
Central sensitization: Increased responsiveness of central nervous system neurons to sensory input. It may help sustain pain in chronic tension headache beyond local muscle tenderness.
Migraine: A primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent attacks, often with nausea, light sensitivity, or sound sensitivity. Migraine can also cause head pain, but its associated symptoms and pain patterns often differ.

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