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Tension‐Type Headache – The Normal and Most Prevalent Headache
Author(s) -
Jensen Rigmor Højland
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/head.13067
Subject(s) - migraine , medicine , medical diagnosis , epidemiology , differential diagnosis , population , comprehension , intensive care medicine , physical therapy , pediatrics , psychiatry , pathology , environmental health , linguistics , philosophy
Premise Tension‐type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent form of primary headache in the general population but paradoxically the least studied headache. Problem In this article, the epidemiology and diagnostic challenges of TTH are presented and discussed. The typical features and differential diagnosis of TTH are highlighted and the situations more likely to raise doubts are discussed. Potential Solution A structured approach to the patient and a better comprehension of the very frequent coexistence of migraine and medication overuse headache in the clinical population are emphasized. According to the IHS classification, several diagnoses should be applied but still some clinicians prefer to apply a single combined diagnosis in the severely affected patients, namely chronic migraine. Such uneven practice may complicate the diagnostic comparability and the entire management of TTH. The present treatment strategies for TTH are summarized and hopefully an increased awareness of TTH can translate into better quality of care and a more specific diagnosis and treatment for the numerous TTH sufferers.