There is a fairly reasonable chance that someone you know has had some sort of headache today, only because there are so many different kinds of headaches around. These forms of headache could be the result of dehydration, missed meals, migraines or other kinds of headache like a tension headache or even a chronic tension headache.
A tension headache can feel like a tight elastic band wrapped tightly around your head, however, the pain from a tension headache goes away after a short while. But imagine having to suffer from a tension headache every day – for weeks on end. This form of tension headache is called a chronic tension headache because the symptoms is experienced at least 15 days a month for a period of several months.
In the case of chronic tension headaches, the symptoms of the headache are similar to those of tension headaches, except for the fact that the pain never really seems to go away. People who have experienced chronic tension headaches describe the pain as if they were wearing a pressure band around their heads. Other people may describe severe chronic tension headache pain as a hooded cape that drapes down onto their shoulders.
In the case of both tension headaches and chronic tension headaches, the pain can be located at the forehead region, sides of the head and sometimes even at the back of the head. At its usual strength the chronic tension headache is a dull, aching pain, although sometimes the pain is like a pressurized tightness. Generally the pain is mild to moderately intense.
The severity of the pain varies with the general physical state of the individual concerned and it can also vary with the various sorts headaches. A lot of people start to experience chronic tension headaches the moment they awake in the morning, whereas others say that their chronic tension headaches do not start until the early hours of the day.
Normal tension headaches are more common than chronic tension headaches, however twice as many women as men suffer from chronic tension headaches. The duration and the severity of the pain is about the same as the normal variety in this form of headache, however the pain from the chronic tension headache is almost a daily occurrence and is also continuous.
Individuals who get chronic tension headaches are supposed to be more prone to anxiety and depression than non-sufferers of chronic tension headaches. It is also known that chronic tension headaches occur during or after heightened periods of stress and anxiety. Anyone who has mood disorders like depression or anxiety should have these conditions treated prior to getting their chronic tension headache attended to.
People who suffer from chronic tension headaches can lead normal and fulfilling lives with the proper medication and treatment. Over time, they may understand what the triggers of their headaches are and how avoiding these triggers can prevent the onset of a bout of chronic tension headaches.
