Headache, Tension

Gregory John Ferenchak, MD and Sophia R Barber, D.O. Reviewed 04/2024

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

A bilateral mild to moderate, nonthrobbing head pain or pressure, without other associated symptoms.
Tension-type headache (TTH) replaced the older terms muscle contraction headache; ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Obtain a thorough pain history to rule out other headache disorders, including onset, location, radiation, quality of pain, severity, associated symptoms; concurrent medical condition...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Relief measures include relaxation routines; rest in quiet, dark room; hot bath or shower; massage of back of neck and temples

MEDICATION

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ...

ONGOING CARE

DIET

Identify and avoid dietary triggers.
Regulate meal schedule.

PATIENT EDUCATION

National Headache Foundation: http://www.headaches.org/resources
Family Doctor by AAFP: https://familydoctor...

REFERENCES

Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The international classification of headache disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1–211.

Becker WJ...

ADDITIONAL READING

Viera AJ, Antono B. Acute headache in adults: a diagnostic approach. Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(3):260–268.

CODES

ICD10

G44.209 Tension-type headache, unspecified, not intractable
G44.219 Episodic tension-type headache, not intractable
G44.229 Chronic tension-type headache, not intractable
G44.201 Tension-type ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Typical characteristics include bilateral mild to moderate, nonthrobbing head pain or pressure, without other associated symptoms.
First-line therapy for TTH includes NSAIDs. For preven...

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