CMMC Neuroscience Center

Headaches: Tension and Migraine

Basic Information

Headaches are recurrent syndromes of head pain. There are numerous potential causes including sinus infection, cervical spine disease, ocular disease, pressure abnormalities, and vascular anomalies. Tumors may also cause headache, but this is relatively rare, especially in headaches that occur intermittently. The vast majority of headaches are either tension headaches due to muscular contraction, or migraine headaches due to blood vessel spasm. Migraine headaches are particularly common, affecting up to 20% of the population. Tension headaches affect almost everyone at some point. Some headaches have specific triggers such as dietary factors, lack of sleep, increased stress, and sometimes environmental factors such as bright lights or computer screens. Hormonal changes may affect or cause headaches.

Symptoms

• Recurring pressure or pain in the head or behind the eyes
  
• Pulsating pain on one side of the head
  
• Pain associated with change in vision, bright streaky lights, drooping eyelid, or tearing of one eye
  
• Visual abnormalities with bright streaky lights, without headache, is known as migraine equivalent
  
  

Treatment Available

• Over-the-counter pain-relieving medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen
  
• Combination agents such as Duradrin or Fioricet
  
• Acute therapy includes ergot medications, as well as the newer triptan medications
  
• Numerous medications have been used to prevent headaches, including antidepressants, beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and anti-seizure medications
  
• Behavioral or relaxation therapy including biofeedback
  
• Trigger-point and Botox injections
  

Research

• Gaining increased understanding of the vascular events that lead to migraine
  
• Studies on the stress and lifestyle factors that lead to tension headache
  
• Clinical trials to find new medical and therapy-based treatments
  

Web Site: National Headache Foundation