Tension Headache (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Tension Headache Overview
- Tension Headache Causes
- Tension Headache Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Tension Headache Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
Prevention
Medications used for prevention of tension-type headache include antidepressants, beta-blockers, and anticonvulsants. These medications are usually worth trying, but they are more likely to be effective if the person also has migraine or cluster headaches. Most doctors choose to start with the newer generation antidepressants, which have fewer side effects, and gradually increase the dose to reach a therapeutic effect. Antidepressants may have to be tried for 1-2 months to determine if they help.
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Headache, Tension »
The International Headache Society (IHS) began developing a classification system for headaches in 1985.
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