Frequent episodic tension headaches are a common type of headache that can occur less than 15 days a month for at least three months. In some cases, these headaches can become chronic and last for several hours, days, weeks, or even months. Without proper treatment, migraine attacks can last up to 24 hours. The average tension headache usually lasts around four hours, but for some people, the pain can be severe and last much longer.
These “endless headaches” can even cause anxiety. To help diagnose the type of headache you have, it is important to keep track of when you have a headache and how bad it is, as well as details such as what you ate and what you were doing before the headache started. If tension headaches occur regularly or frequently, therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, or biofeedback can reduce or eliminate headaches. If over-the-counter medicines don't stop your headaches well enough or if you have a lot of headaches, your doctor may prescribe medicines to prevent headaches.
Chronic tension headache is a condition where you have a tension headache at least 15 days a month for at least three months. If you have a headache 15 or more days each month for a period of 3 months, you may have chronic tension headaches. Your doctor will ask questions about your headaches, family history, diet, and lifestyle to help diagnose the type of headache you have. Your seasonal headache may be a cluster headache in spring, a summer migraine, or an allergy headache.
While chronic tension headaches can disrupt your life, tension headaches usually don't cause serious health problems. Some studies have estimated that about 1 in 30 adults have chronic tension headaches. Early treatment is important when it comes to migraine attacks and preventing frequent episodic tension headaches from becoming chronic. To prevent medication overuse headaches, it is important to not use medicines more than 10 to 15 days a month. Additionally, therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, or biofeedback can reduce or eliminate headaches.
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