Medicine & USMLE

Tension Headache

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Headaches
  1. Tension Headache
  2. Trigeminal Neuralgia
  3. Migraine Headaches
  4. Cluster Headache

Tension Headache is the most common type of headache, and it usually occurs in females.

The pain in a tension headache is often located in a band-like distribution around the head affecting both sides (bilateral). The pain is usually steady and constant (non-pulsatile), and it lasts longer than 30 minutes--usually between 4-6 hours.

Treatments target either acute resolution of pain or chronic prophylaxis. For acute resolution of pain, NSAIDs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be administered. Chronic management involves the use of tricyclic antidepressants,like amitriptyline, which can be prescribed to reduce the number and severity of tension headaches.

Find Tension Headaches and more Headaches among Pixorize's visual mnemonics for the USMLE Step 1 and NBME Shelf Exams.