2008/01/10 by Elizabeth Loder, Paul Rizzoli · 2 citations
Medicine · #Migraine and Headache Studies #Sympathectomy and Hyperhidrosis Treatments #Trigeminal Neuralgia and Treatments
paper · doi:10.1136/bmj.39412.705868.ad
openalex publication_date 2008/01/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
#### Summary points Tension-type headache is a neurological disorder characterised by a predisposition to attacks of mild to moderate headache with few associated symptoms. The diagnosis is based on the history and examination. Over the past few decades research on headache has centred on migraine, and much of the best quality evidence for the treatment of tension-type headache is decades old. Some consensus based treatment guidelines are available (see Additional Educational Resources box towards the end of this article). Treatment has changed little over the past two decades. Many patients self treat acute attacks and seek advice when attacks become frequent or chronic. This review focuses on how to identify and manage patients who require medical advice about acute attacks and preventive treatment to minimise further attacks. Box 1 summarises the criteria for tension-type headache outlined in the second revision of the international classification of headache disorders, in which such headache is classified according to whether it is episodic or chronic and whether muscle tenderness is present.1 #### Box 1 Diagnostic criteria for tension-type headache*