How is tension headache diagnosed?

The key to diagnosis of any headache, is the story of the patient. Health professionals ask the right questions to understand when the headache started, learn about the quality, quantity and duration of pain, and ask all the associated symptoms. History voltages are headache, which was mild to moderate, which is located on both sides of the head, described as tightness, which is a throbbing, not worsened by activity. There will be no associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light.

Physical examination, it is important to stress, headaches, because it must be normal for a diagnosis. The only exception is that there May be some sensitivity of the scalp and neck muscles. If a health worker is an anomaly, they have seen the diagnosis of tension headache.

As the tension headache?

Tension headaches are often painful and patients are upset that the diagnosis is "only" tension headaches. Although not life-threatening, stress, headaches can affect your normal daily activities.

Most people who face the same success with over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics to control the tension headache. The following works well for most people:

Aspirin

ibuprofen (motrin, Advil)

acetaminophen (Tylenol) and

naproxen (Aleve)
If it fails, the other supportive therapies are available. Recurrent headache should be the message to seek medical help. Massage, biofeedback and stress management could be used as a supplement to control the headaches.

It is important to note that drugs without a prescription, and drugs are safe and can have side effects and possible interactions with prescription drugs. It is good to ask, nurse or pharmacist if you have questions about prescription drugs and their use. This is particularly important with non-prescription painkillers, because patients often use both.

It is important to read the ingredients of OTC analgesics. Often a combination of OTC drug ingredients, while the second or third component of the May be possible drug interactions or contraindications with medications the patient is present. For example:

Some OTC medicines include caffeine, which can cause rapid heartbeats in some patients.

Night to prepare) diphenhydramine (Benadryl can be added. It can cause drowsiness and driving or operating heavy machinery May not be suitable for the use of drugs.
Another example would be careful to include the following:

Aspirin should not be used in children and adolescents, because the risk of the syndrome, Reye, a disease in which unconsciousness, brain damage and death can occur with viral illnesses, such as the use of aspirin.

Aspirin and ibuprofen interfering and May cause stomach bleeding. Should be used with caution in patients with peptic ulcer or thinners, which is in the blood such as warfarin (coumadin) and clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix).

Paracetamol, when used in large quantities can cause liver damage or injury. Should be used with caution in patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol or have liver disease.

The cause of chronic tension headaches is excessive use of painkillers. When using painkillers for a long time, headaches, May be repeated because of drug activity holiday. Therefore, headache is a symptom of drug withdrawal (rebound headache).