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Muscle Contraction Tension Headache

Updated : September 4, 2023





Background

In terms of main headaches, TTH (tension-type headaches) are the most typical. Muscular contraction headaches, strain headaches, and psychogenic headaches are other names for it. TTH can be classified as chronic tension-type headaches and episodic tension-type headaches (having regular and unexpected subtypes). The number of headache attacks makes these distinct from one another.

Using the IHS (International Headache Society’s) definition or diagnostic standards, TTH is distinguished from many other primaries and secondary headaches. TTH bouts can last between 30 mins to seven days. TTH may have a band-like character and a bilateral placement. Typically, mild to modest in severity, headaches do not get worse with little exercise. The evaluation part includes a list of specific IHS standards for tension-type headaches.

Epidemiology

With a prevalence of nearly one-fifth of the global population, tension-type headaches are the most widespread primary headache problem and one of the most common medical illnesses. According to a Danish analysis of the study, seventy-eight percent of adults have had tension-type headaches at some point in their lives.

Additionally, women are more likely than men to experience tension-type headaches (male to female 1 to 3). The most typical type of headache in youngsters is tension-type headaches.

The age range is still between twenty-five and thirty years old. Although it is challenging to determine the exact prevalence, Danish research found that frequent episodic tension-type headaches occur 14.2 times per 1000 people-years.

Anatomy

Pathophysiology

The supposed pathophysiology of tension-type headaches has been the subject of numerous ideas, although the precise pathophysiology is unclear. Tension-type headache’s potential pathophysiology has been linked to myofascial trigger points.

Typically found at the level of skeletal muscles, trigger points are localized pain-producing sites that, when squeezed, may cause discomfort in a particular region of the body. Tension-type headaches are thought to be triggered by pericranial musculatures.

Excessive contractions of the pericranial musculature can result in ischemia as well as the production of unpleasant chemicals like substance P, which can cause additional discomfort. All such trigger points may develop into latent (pain is palpable only) and active (pain is continual) states throughout time.

According to osteopathic investigations, squeezing the muscles in the upper neck and suboccipital region can cause the dural tissue to “pull” and create painful myodural arches. The etiology of TTH is thought to include autonomic failure, particularly as a result of sleep disruption.

Lack of sleep can make you more tired, which might make your sympathetic nervous system work harder, which could make your headache worse or even make it worse. Tension-type headaches could potentially be brought on by cortical brain malfunction.

The face’s nociceptive channels are located in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, which sends pain messages to the ventral posteromedial thalamus. The nociceptive channels in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis are blocked in response to orexin-stimulated stimulation.

According to a study, insufficient sleep causes a decrease in orexin secretion, which leads to decreased trigeminal nucleus caudalis blockage and headaches. A chronic headache of this nature can also be caused by NO-mediated processes.

A portion of this is attributable to the therapies, which have demonstrated that blocking NO is successful in treating headaches of the chronic tension variety. At this moment, further research is being done in this area.

Etiology

It is unclear what causes TTH exactly. However, there are connections to a number of factors, notably heredity, environment, and muscle factors. Vitamin deficits have been linked to TTH in a large number of correlational research. Turkish children have been examined for a potential association with vitamin B-12.

In this study, seventy-five kids between the ages of eleven and fifteen who were in the placebo group experienced headaches and had serum B-12 levels below two hundred.

With a vitamin B-12 level below one sixty, some individuals had what experts classified as a serious B-12 shortage. Overall, eighteen of these children stopped experiencing headaches after receiving vitamin supplements. Likewise, data indicates that a vitamin D deficit and TTH are related.

Researchers examined a hundred cases with persistent tension-type headaches to hundred normal participants in a randomized control experiment. A quarter of the participants in the control group exhibited a Vitamin D insufficiency, compared to nearly seventy percent of the cases with chronic tension-type headaches.

Other potential causes of TTH include ecological and muscle factors. The two main factors seem to be strain and position. Both have unclear pathogenesis that is not fully understood.

Moreover, poor posture puts extra strain on the atlantoaxial joint and upper cervical vertebrae, like prolonged neck flexing while using a computer or playing video games. To lessen the strain that causes muscle spasms and the tension headache, the shoulders try to make up for this by hunching forward.

Genetics

Prognostic Factors

Tension-type headaches typically have a favorable prognosis. The majority of people treat the situation. In 549-person Danish research, roughly fifteen percent of patients with episodic tension-type headaches advanced to newly acquired chronic tension-type headaches, whereas about fifty percent of patients with episodic tension-type headaches had remission.

Clinical History

Physical Examination

Age group

Associated comorbidity

Associated activity

Acuity of presentation

Differential Diagnoses

Laboratory Studies

Imaging Studies

Procedures

Histologic Findings

Staging

Treatment Paradigm

by Stage

by Modality

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Surgical Interventions

Hormone Therapy

Immunotherapy

Hyperthermia

Photodynamic Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant

Targeted Therapy

Palliative Care

Medication

 

butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine 

Two tablets or capsules of 50 mg/300-325 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, with a maximum of 6 tablets or capsules per day
One tablet or capsule of 50 mg/500 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, with a maximum of 6 tablets or capsules per day
One tablet or capsule of 50 mg/750 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, with a maximum of 5 tablets or capsules per day
Between 15-30 mL of solution should be taken orally every 4 hours, with a maximum of 180 mL of solution per day
The maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen for any form or regimen is 4 g



butalbital/aspirin/caffeine/codeine 

1-2 tablets or capsules orally every 4 hours, with a maximum daily limit of 6 tablets or capsules
When discontinuing treatment, gradually reduce the dosage by 25% to 50% every 2-4 days while closely monitoring for any symptoms or signs of withdrawal



codeine, acetaminophen, butalbital and caffeine 

1 to 2 tablets/capsules orally every 6 times a day; should not exceed more than 6 tablets/capsules in a day
To discontinue medication, reduce the dosage by 25% to 50% each 2 to 4 days; monitoring for withdrawal symptoms/signs. If withdrawal symptoms develop, return to the prior dose level, and taper more gradually, by either increasing the time interval between decreases, reducing the dose change, or both. In the physically dependent patient, do not abruptly discontinue treatment.



peppermint oil 

Whenever needed, topically apply every 15 to 30mins



isometheptene, dichloralphenazone and acetaminophen 

1 or 2 capsules orally 6 times a day; should not exceed more than 8 capsules in a day



 

butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine 

For individuals who are at least 12 years old: two tablets or capsules of 50 mg/300-325 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, but the total number of tablets or capsules should not exceed 6 per day
one tablet/capsule of 50 mg/500 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, but the total number of tablets or capsules should not exceed 6 per day
one tablet/capsule of 50 mg/750 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, but the total number of tablets or capsules should not exceed 5 per day
15-30 mL of the solution should be taken orally every four hours, but the total amount of solution should not exceed 90 mL per day
In addition, no more than four g/day of acetaminophen should be taken in any form or regimen, as safety and efficacy for individuals under 12 years old has not been established



butalbital/aspirin/caffeine/codeine 

Age (≥16 years)- 1-2 tablets/capsules orally every 4 hours, ensuring not to exceed a maximum of 6 tablets/capsules within a 24 hours



codeine, acetaminophen, butalbital and caffeine 

Below 12 yrs: Safety & efficacy were not established
Above 12 yrs: 1 to 2 tablets/capsules orally every 6 times a day; should not exceed more than 6 tablets/capsules in a day (should not exceed acetaminophen more than 4 g/day); To discontinue medication, reduce the dosage by 25% to 50% each 2 to 4 days; monitoring for withdrawal symptoms/signs. If withdrawal symptoms develop, return to the prior dose level, and taper more gradually, by either increasing the time interval between decreases, reducing the dose change, or both. In the physically dependent patient, do not abruptly discontinue treatment.



 

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562274/

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Muscle Contraction Tension Headache

Updated : September 4, 2023




In terms of main headaches, TTH (tension-type headaches) are the most typical. Muscular contraction headaches, strain headaches, and psychogenic headaches are other names for it. TTH can be classified as chronic tension-type headaches and episodic tension-type headaches (having regular and unexpected subtypes). The number of headache attacks makes these distinct from one another.

Using the IHS (International Headache Society’s) definition or diagnostic standards, TTH is distinguished from many other primaries and secondary headaches. TTH bouts can last between 30 mins to seven days. TTH may have a band-like character and a bilateral placement. Typically, mild to modest in severity, headaches do not get worse with little exercise. The evaluation part includes a list of specific IHS standards for tension-type headaches.

With a prevalence of nearly one-fifth of the global population, tension-type headaches are the most widespread primary headache problem and one of the most common medical illnesses. According to a Danish analysis of the study, seventy-eight percent of adults have had tension-type headaches at some point in their lives.

Additionally, women are more likely than men to experience tension-type headaches (male to female 1 to 3). The most typical type of headache in youngsters is tension-type headaches.

The age range is still between twenty-five and thirty years old. Although it is challenging to determine the exact prevalence, Danish research found that frequent episodic tension-type headaches occur 14.2 times per 1000 people-years.

The supposed pathophysiology of tension-type headaches has been the subject of numerous ideas, although the precise pathophysiology is unclear. Tension-type headache’s potential pathophysiology has been linked to myofascial trigger points.

Typically found at the level of skeletal muscles, trigger points are localized pain-producing sites that, when squeezed, may cause discomfort in a particular region of the body. Tension-type headaches are thought to be triggered by pericranial musculatures.

Excessive contractions of the pericranial musculature can result in ischemia as well as the production of unpleasant chemicals like substance P, which can cause additional discomfort. All such trigger points may develop into latent (pain is palpable only) and active (pain is continual) states throughout time.

According to osteopathic investigations, squeezing the muscles in the upper neck and suboccipital region can cause the dural tissue to “pull” and create painful myodural arches. The etiology of TTH is thought to include autonomic failure, particularly as a result of sleep disruption.

Lack of sleep can make you more tired, which might make your sympathetic nervous system work harder, which could make your headache worse or even make it worse. Tension-type headaches could potentially be brought on by cortical brain malfunction.

The face’s nociceptive channels are located in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, which sends pain messages to the ventral posteromedial thalamus. The nociceptive channels in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis are blocked in response to orexin-stimulated stimulation.

According to a study, insufficient sleep causes a decrease in orexin secretion, which leads to decreased trigeminal nucleus caudalis blockage and headaches. A chronic headache of this nature can also be caused by NO-mediated processes.

A portion of this is attributable to the therapies, which have demonstrated that blocking NO is successful in treating headaches of the chronic tension variety. At this moment, further research is being done in this area.

It is unclear what causes TTH exactly. However, there are connections to a number of factors, notably heredity, environment, and muscle factors. Vitamin deficits have been linked to TTH in a large number of correlational research. Turkish children have been examined for a potential association with vitamin B-12.

In this study, seventy-five kids between the ages of eleven and fifteen who were in the placebo group experienced headaches and had serum B-12 levels below two hundred.

With a vitamin B-12 level below one sixty, some individuals had what experts classified as a serious B-12 shortage. Overall, eighteen of these children stopped experiencing headaches after receiving vitamin supplements. Likewise, data indicates that a vitamin D deficit and TTH are related.

Researchers examined a hundred cases with persistent tension-type headaches to hundred normal participants in a randomized control experiment. A quarter of the participants in the control group exhibited a Vitamin D insufficiency, compared to nearly seventy percent of the cases with chronic tension-type headaches.

Other potential causes of TTH include ecological and muscle factors. The two main factors seem to be strain and position. Both have unclear pathogenesis that is not fully understood.

Moreover, poor posture puts extra strain on the atlantoaxial joint and upper cervical vertebrae, like prolonged neck flexing while using a computer or playing video games. To lessen the strain that causes muscle spasms and the tension headache, the shoulders try to make up for this by hunching forward.

Tension-type headaches typically have a favorable prognosis. The majority of people treat the situation. In 549-person Danish research, roughly fifteen percent of patients with episodic tension-type headaches advanced to newly acquired chronic tension-type headaches, whereas about fifty percent of patients with episodic tension-type headaches had remission.

butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine 

Two tablets or capsules of 50 mg/300-325 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, with a maximum of 6 tablets or capsules per day
One tablet or capsule of 50 mg/500 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, with a maximum of 6 tablets or capsules per day
One tablet or capsule of 50 mg/750 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, with a maximum of 5 tablets or capsules per day
Between 15-30 mL of solution should be taken orally every 4 hours, with a maximum of 180 mL of solution per day
The maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen for any form or regimen is 4 g



butalbital/aspirin/caffeine/codeine 

1-2 tablets or capsules orally every 4 hours, with a maximum daily limit of 6 tablets or capsules
When discontinuing treatment, gradually reduce the dosage by 25% to 50% every 2-4 days while closely monitoring for any symptoms or signs of withdrawal



codeine, acetaminophen, butalbital and caffeine 

1 to 2 tablets/capsules orally every 6 times a day; should not exceed more than 6 tablets/capsules in a day
To discontinue medication, reduce the dosage by 25% to 50% each 2 to 4 days; monitoring for withdrawal symptoms/signs. If withdrawal symptoms develop, return to the prior dose level, and taper more gradually, by either increasing the time interval between decreases, reducing the dose change, or both. In the physically dependent patient, do not abruptly discontinue treatment.



peppermint oil 

Whenever needed, topically apply every 15 to 30mins



isometheptene, dichloralphenazone and acetaminophen 

1 or 2 capsules orally 6 times a day; should not exceed more than 8 capsules in a day



butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine 

For individuals who are at least 12 years old: two tablets or capsules of 50 mg/300-325 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, but the total number of tablets or capsules should not exceed 6 per day
one tablet/capsule of 50 mg/500 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, but the total number of tablets or capsules should not exceed 6 per day
one tablet/capsule of 50 mg/750 mg/40 mg should be taken orally every 4 hours, but the total number of tablets or capsules should not exceed 5 per day
15-30 mL of the solution should be taken orally every four hours, but the total amount of solution should not exceed 90 mL per day
In addition, no more than four g/day of acetaminophen should be taken in any form or regimen, as safety and efficacy for individuals under 12 years old has not been established



butalbital/aspirin/caffeine/codeine 

Age (≥16 years)- 1-2 tablets/capsules orally every 4 hours, ensuring not to exceed a maximum of 6 tablets/capsules within a 24 hours



codeine, acetaminophen, butalbital and caffeine 

Below 12 yrs: Safety & efficacy were not established
Above 12 yrs: 1 to 2 tablets/capsules orally every 6 times a day; should not exceed more than 6 tablets/capsules in a day (should not exceed acetaminophen more than 4 g/day); To discontinue medication, reduce the dosage by 25% to 50% each 2 to 4 days; monitoring for withdrawal symptoms/signs. If withdrawal symptoms develop, return to the prior dose level, and taper more gradually, by either increasing the time interval between decreases, reducing the dose change, or both. In the physically dependent patient, do not abruptly discontinue treatment.



https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562274/

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