The Nature and Meaning of Tension Headaches

Abstract

Headache is among the commonest symptoms experienced by mankind. During the past 50 years, a wide range of laboratory and clinical studies have increased our knowledge of this fascinating and complex subject. This paper examines the literature with respect to tension headache, including its classic description, its revised classification and recently agreed-upon diagnostic criteria, and the controversy about its pathogenesis involving musclespasm, ischaemia, the autonomic nervous system, platalet activation, psychological factors, and the role of stress. It concludes with an attempt to integrate the foregoing information in a discussion on the meaning of tension headache.