Headache

Tension Headaches

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

Tension-type headaches usually are diagnosed by the symptoms you describe to your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about the severity, frequency and duration of your headaches as well as other symptoms that occur and any medications you are taking. Keeping a headache journal is a great way to track the location and severity of the pain, the duration of the pain, any medications taken and any possible headache triggers.

If your doctor suspects a tumor or aneurysm, you may undergo one or more of the following tests:

• Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan — A CT scan uses a thin X-ray beam that rotates around the area being examined. A computer processes data to construct a 3-D, cross-sectional image.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) — An MRI uses magnetism, radio waves and computer technology, rather than X-rays, to produce images of your brain. Under the right circumstances, MRI and other imaging procedures allows doctors to actually see how the larger structures in the brain are involved during migraine and headache.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated December 17, 2008