Head

HEADACHE

Headaches can come in various intensities and have even more causes.

Tension headache

Tension-type headache is the most common form of headache. Painkillers taken as required work well in most cases. Attention to lifestyle factors such as stress, posture, and exercise may help to prevent headaches. Medication to prevent headaches may help if you have frequent tension-type headaches.

What is tension-type headache and whom does it affect?

Tension-type headache is the common type of headache that most people have at some time. One study found that, on average:

  • About half of adults have a tension-type headache every now and then - less than one a month. This is called infrequent episodic tension-type headache.

  • About a third of adults have two or more tension-type headaches per month, but fewer than 15 a month. This is called frequent episodic tension-type headache.

  • About 3 in 100 adults have a tension-type headache 15 or more times per month - that is, on most days. This is called chronic tension-type headache (sometimes called chronic daily headache).