Migraine headache cause moderate or severe pain, affecting one or more area around the head, often as a result of stress. Tension headaches are often the result of stress or bad posture, which causes a tightening of the muscles in the neck and scalp. Tension headaches usually last only a few hours, but some people may have chronic headache that continue for several days or weeks. Recurrent tension headache. e often affect people with depression or those who are under continuous stress due to difficulties at work or at home. Tension headache are often made worse by noise and hot, stuffy environments. This type of headache occurs mostly in women over age 20.

How are the symptoms?

Symptoms often begin late in the morning or in the early afternoon and may persist for several hours. They include: pain that is usually constant and may be throbbing. Pain is felt above the eyes or more generally over the head. Feeling of pressure behind the eyes. Tightening the neck muscles. Feeling of tightness around the head.

Feeling of tightness around the head, people who have persistent headaches may find it difficult to sleep. They may also become depressed and feel depleted of energy. Dislike of bright light or loud noises. A migraine may last from a few hours to few days but eventually clears up. After a migraine, you may feel tired and unable to concentrate.

What can we do?

Self-help measures, such as taking over the counter analgesics, may help relieve a tension headache. However, the prolonged use of analgesics may eventually cause headache. If you have a severe headache that lasts for more than 24 hours, does not respond to self help measures, or is associated with other symptoms, such as vomiting or blurry vision, consult your doctor immediately.

What might the doctor do?

Your doctor will ask about the severity and frequency of your headache and may look for signs of stress or depression. A diagnosis of tension headache is often clear from the symptoms, but you may need further tests, such as MRI or CT scanning of the brain, to check for an underlying cause. Your doctor may recommend way for you to deal with stress, such as yoga or relaxation exercises. If you are suffering from depression, he or she may prescribe antidepressant drugs. Once stress or depression has been relieved, tension headache usually clear up, but they may recur in the future.