The main culprits of chronic tension headaches are said to be stress and over-exertion. If you work long and hard for continuous number of hours, the muscles in the upper body will become stiff and the area around the head and shoulder will tighten resulting in severe headaches.
Chronic tension headache can occur several times in a month. The rigourousness of the pain depends on the person, so no general level can be drawn. It is common among people of all ages although more often seen in adults. You would know that your tension headache is lasting if it happens several times a month and for a few months consecutively. Like the severity of the pain, the duration of the headache too varies between a headache for just 30 minutes a day to one that lasts for several days.
There is however a clear distinction between a migraine and a chronic tension headache. It is crucial to be aware of these differences if you want to take over the counter prescriptions as drugs used for migraine do not always work for a chronic tension headache.
Slurred speech is not always a part of chronic tension headaches
Chronic tension headaches do not bring about vomiting or nausea
Unlike in migraine, in chronic tension headaches you will feel the pain all over the head
Although chronic tension headaches can become a bother, it usually does not obturate daily activities
The symptoms of a chronic tension headache can include loss of appetite, a dull pain in the head, tightness around the head and around the neck and shoulders and sometimes even fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Often, fretfulness and sensitivity to noise may also be a symptom.
Let’s explore what you can do to prevent chronic tension headaches.
Always maintain a good posture, especially if you are going to be in one place for a long period of time. Assure that you re comfortable. Get yourself a comfortable chair or pillow to provide support for your neck and shoulders
Take regular breaks from work as working too hard can cause the headaches.
Exercise whenever possible
Get enough sleep at night and here too, ensure that you re comfortable so as not to worsen the tightness in the muscles
Consult a physician for help if the headaches continue because you are more likely to be suffering from chronic tension headaches if over the counter medicine does not work.
Source : migraine chart