Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Tension headache risk factors
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Various precipitating factors may cause TTH in susceptible individuals. One half of patients with TTH identify stress or hunger as a precipitating factor; stress, sleep deprivation, irregular meal time (hunger), eyestrain. Other triggers of tension headaches include: alcohol , caffeine, colds, the flu, or a sinus infection, dental problems such as jaw clenching or teeth grinding, excessive smoking and fatigue or overexertion.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Various precipitating factors may cause TTH in susceptible individuals. One half of patients with TTH identify stress or hunger as a precipitating factor;
- Stress – Usually occurs in the afternoon after long stressful work hours
- Sleep deprivation
- Uncomfortable stressful position and/or bad posture
- Irregular meal time (hunger)
- Eyestrain
Other triggers of tension headaches include:
- Alcohol use
- Caffeine (too much or withdrawal)
- Colds, the flu, or a sinus infection
- Dental problems such as jaw clenching or teeth grinding
- Excessive smoking
- Fatigue or overexertion
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sabeeh Islam, MBBS[2]