Tension headache: clinic, diagnosis, treatment

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Abstract

Tension headache (TH) is a neurological disorder characterized by attacks of mild to moderate headache with few associated symptoms. According to the data of 5 population studies, TH lifetime prevalence in adults is 46% (range 12-78%). The underlying cause of TH is unknown. Diagnosis is based on history and examination. Many patients self-manage their acute attacks and seek medical care when attacks become frequent or chronic. Behavioral therapy, relief of pain episodes and preventive treatment are recommended for HT treatment. Acute attacks of TH are usually treated with simple analgesics (paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen]. The situation with pain relief in TH has changed with the emergence of fastacting forms of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in particular ibuprofen, since rapidly absorbing salts of ibuprofen act significantly faster, have a more pronounced and prolonged analgesic effect.

About the authors

Olga V. Kotova

International Society "Stress under Control"

Email: ol_kotova@mail.ru
канд. мед. наук, невролог, вице-президент Moscow, Russia

Anton A. Belyaev

Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Medicine

мл. науч. сотр. Moscow, Russia

Elena S. Akarachkova

International Society "Stress under Control"

д-р мед. наук, врач-невролог, президент Международного общества «Стресс под контролем» Moscow, Russia

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