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[Tension-type headache--diagnosis and therapy]
1Klinik für Neurologie, Kantonsspital, St. Gallen.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Episodic and chronic tension-type headaches are common, often mild, and undertreated. Caution with pain relievers is advised to prevent medication overuse headache, favoring relaxation and cognitive therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Tension-type headache (TTH) is classified by the International Headache Society into episodic and chronic forms.
- TTH is often less severe than migraine, leading many patients to avoid medical consultation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the treatment considerations for patients with tension-type headache.
- To highlight the risks associated with analgesic overuse and suggest alternative management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of TTH classification, clinical presentation, and treatment options.
- Analysis of the potential for medication overuse headache (MOH) from frequent analgesic use.
Main Results:
- Patients with TTH may not seek medical help due to lower pain severity.
- Overuse of analgesics poses a significant risk for developing chronic daily headache, a form of MOH.
- Non-pharmacological approaches like relaxation techniques and cognitive training demonstrate efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Cautious use of analgesics is crucial in TTH management to prevent medication overuse.
- Amitriptyline is widely regarded by experts as a preferred long-term medication for TTH.
- Non-pharmacological interventions are valuable adjuncts or alternatives in TTH treatment.