Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

How Tension-Type Headache Presents

  • Reference work entry
Handbook of Headache

  • 1216 Accesses

Abstract

The substantial societal and individual burdens associated with tension-type headache (TTH) constitute a major public health issue that has previously been overlooked. Tension-type headache is extremely prevalent, affecting up to 78% of the general population; roughly 3% suffer from chronic tension-type headache. Tension-type headache is the most featureless of headaches. An accurate diagnosis, in which the individual headache episode is distinguished from migraine and from a secondary headache, especially medication overuse headache, is essential. The use of a diagnostic headache diary is helpful for treatment planning. Possible triggers and comorbidity with other disorders, in particular depression, should also be assessed before treatment is initiated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 279.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andlin-Sobocki P, Jonsson B, Wittchen HU, Olesen J (2005) Cost of disorders of the brain in Europe. Eur J Neurol 12(Suppl 1):1–27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bendtsen L (2000) Central sensitization in tension-type headache – possible pathophysiological mechanisms. Cephalalgia 20:486–508

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bendtsen L, Jensen R (2006) Tension-type headache: the most common, but also the most neglected, headache disorder. Curr Opin Neurol 19:305–309

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bendtsen L, Jensen R, Jensen NK, Olesen J (1995) Pressure-controlled palpation: a new technique which increases the reliability of manual palpation. Cephalalgia 15:205–210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berg J, Stovner LJ (2005) Cost of migraine and other headaches in Europe. Eur J Neurol 12(Suppl 1):59–62

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society (2004) The international classification of headache disorders: 2nd edition. Cephalalgia 24(suppl 1):1–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Holroyd KA, Stensland M, Lipchik GL, Hill KR, O'Donnell FS, Cordingley G (2000) Psychosocial correlates and impact of chronic tension-type headaches. Headache 40:3–16

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen R (1999) Pathophysiological mechanisms of tension-type headache: a review of epidemiological and experimental studies. Cephalalgia 19:602–621

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen R, Stovner LJ (2008) Epidemiology and comorbidity of headache. Lancet Neurol 7:354–361

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen R, Symon D (2005) Epidemiology of tension-type headaches. In: Olesen J, Goadsby PJ, Ramadan N, Tfelt-Hansen P, Welch KM (eds) The headaches. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 621–624

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyngberg AC, Rasmussen BK, Jorgensen T, Jensen R (2005a) Has the prevalence of migraine and tension-type headache changed over a 12-year period? A Danish population survey. Eur J Epidemiol 20:243–249

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lyngberg AC, Rasmussen BK, Jorgensen T, Jensen R (2005b) Incidence of primary headache: a Danish epidemiologic follow-up study. Am J Epidemiol 161:1066–1073

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyngberg AC, Rasmussen BK, Jorgensen T, Jensen R (2005c) Prognosis of migraine and tension-type headache: a population-based follow-up study. Neurology 65:580–585

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lyngberg AC, Rasmussen BK, Jorgensen T, Jensen R (2005d) Secular changes in health care utilization and work absence for migraine and tension-type headache: a population based study. Eur J Epidemiol 20:1007–1014

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen BK (1995) Epidemiology of headache. Cephalalgia 15:45–68

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen BK, Jensen R, Olesen J (1991a) A population-based analysis of the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society. Cephalalgia 11:129–134

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen BK, Jensen R, Schroll M, Olesen J (1991b) Epidemiology of headache in a general population – a prevalence study. J Clin Epidemiol 44:1147–1157

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen BK, Jensen R, Olesen J (1992) Impact of headache on sickness absence and utilisation of medical services: a Danish population study. J Epidemiol Commun Health 46:443–446

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Russell MB, Rasmussen BK, Brennum J, Iversen HK, Jensen R, Olesen J (1992) Presentation of a new instrument: the diagnostic headache diary. Cephalalgia 12:369–374

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz BS, Stewart WF, Lipton RB (1997) Lost workdays and decreased work effectiveness associated with headache in the workplace. J Occup Environ Med 39:320–327

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stovner L, Hagen K, Jensen R, Katsarava Z, Lipton R, Scher A, Steiner T, Zwart JA (2007) The global burden of headache: a documentation of headache prevalence and disability worldwide. Cephalalgia 27:193–210

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tassorelli C, Sances G, Allena M, Ghiotto N, Bendtsen L, Olesen J, Nappi G, Jensen R (2008) The usefulness and applicability of a basic headache diary before first consultation: results of a pilot study conducted in two centres. Cephalalgia 28:1023–1030

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Danish Headache Centre and Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, DK-2600 Glostrup, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Dr. Lars Bendtsen & Dr. Rigmor Jensen

  2. Division of Headache and Pain, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospitals, 1153 Centre Street, 02130, Boston, MA, USA

    Dr. Elizabeth W. Loder

Authors
  1. Dr. Lars Bendtsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dr. Rigmor Jensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dr. Elizabeth W. Loder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lars Bendtsen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Paolo Martelletti

  2. Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Timothy J. Steiner

  3. Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Timothy J. Steiner

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Lifting The Burden

About this entry

Cite this entry

Bendtsen, L., Jensen, R., Loder, E.W. (2011). How Tension-Type Headache Presents. In: Martelletti, P., Steiner, T.J. (eds) Handbook of Headache. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1700-9_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1700-9_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1699-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1700-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation