Tension headache Flashcards
What percentage of headaches are tension-type?
80-90%
What is the definition of a tension-type headache?
Chronic daily and recurrent headaches
Which sex are these headaches more common in?
females
What population group are tension-type headaches more common in?
young adults
How can tension-type headaches be separated?
Chronic and episodic
What is meant by episodic tension-type headaches?
Occurs fewer than 15 days in a month
What is meant by chronic tension-type headaches?
Occurs more than 15 days each month
What may chronic tension-type headaches be more indicative of?
- more likely to be medication-induced
- more likely to be associated with comorbidities e.g. depression
What is the clinical presentation of TTH?
- often generalised headache - mild-moderate pain
- typically describes as a pressure/tightness around the head (like a vice or tight band)
- pain may radiate to the neck
- can be disabling for a few hours but does not have migraine symptoms (NO photophobia, photophobia, visual or sensorimotor disturbance)
When compared to migraine onset TTH is?
more gradual onset whereas migraine is more sudden
In comparison to migraine, the duration is…
more variable, migraines tend to last 4-72 hours
in comparison to migraines, the severity of TTH is?
less severe
In terms of the ‘quality’ consistency of a headache, TTH compared to migraine?
TTH tends to be more constant in quality
What is the diagnostic criteria for TTH?
2 of the following in the last 10 headaches?
- bilateral or generalised headache of mild- moderate severity
- frontal-occipital
- non-pulsatile (pressing/tightening)
- Not aggravated by physical activity
Does TTH need investigations?
TTH is a clinical diagnosis, investigations would only be carried out if the diagnosis was uncertain
