Discharge Instructions - Tension Headache

As discussed in the Emergency Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with a tension headache.  A tension type headache tends to cause pressure over both sides of the head in the area of the temples.  It is usually triggered by various stressors.

Symptoms of tension type headaches (TTH) include:

-Pressure or tightness around both sides of the head or neck

-Mild to moderate pain that is steady and does not throb

-Pain is not worsened by activity

-Pain can increase or decrease in severity over the course of the headache

-There may be tenderness in the muscles of the head, neck, or shoulders

People with TTH often feel stress or tension before their headache.  Unlike migraine, tension headaches occur without other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to lights and sounds, or an aura.  However, some people have symptoms of both tension and migraine headache.

Some people find that their tension headaches are triggered by certain things.  If you can avoid some of these things, you can lower your chances of getting a headache.  You can also keep a "headache calendar."  In the calendar, write down every time you have a headache and what you ate and did before it started.  That way you can find out if there is anything you should avoid eating or doing.  You can also write down what medicine you took and whether or not it helped.

For tension headaches, your doctor might suggest an over-the-counter medicine such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or Naproxen (Aleve).  There is also a medicine that combines Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine (brand name Excedrin).

Return to the Emergency Department for worsening or persistent headache, vision changes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the face or extremities, fever, inability to tolerate fluids by mouth despite treatment, or any new or concerning symptoms.