What is tension headache?

A common primary headache disorder, characterized by a dull, non-pulsatile, diffuse, band-like (or vice-like) pain of mild to moderate intensity in the head; scalp; or neck. There is no clear cause even though it has been associated with muscle contraction and stress.

How do members experience tension headache?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with tension headache*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for tension headache*

*Data from patients with tension headache, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with tension headache*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Tylenol)
Perceived effectiveness
for tension headache (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
tension headache (2)
Treatment

(Aspirin Low Dose)
Perceived effectiveness
for tension headache (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
tension headache (1)
Treatment

(Naproxen Prescription)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
tension headache (1)

*Data from patients with tension headache, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has tension headache on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 11
20s 139
30s 411
40s 523
50s 461
60s 310
70+ 130

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 515
Female 1,417