Chronic tension headaches are a serious ailment that can detract from enjoyment of daily life.  Daily activities are subject to interruption by painful episodes that can occur any time.  Chronic tension headache can easily lead to depression and a general pain crisis.  It is important that chronic tension headaches be treated as soon as possible.  Fortunately, the medical community has a great deal of experience with the phenomenon of headache, and has several avenues of treatment available for sufferers.  In fact, the medical community has researched headache thoroughly, and has divided the phenomenon into three distinct categories.

The majority of headaches suffered are put into what is known as the primary category.  A primary headache is frequently brought on by emotional or physical stress, and is the most common form of headache by far.  Primary headaches are almost never life threatening, but are known to cause significant discomfort.  This pain can hamper everyday enjoyment of life, making even basic functioning difficult.  Although the actual causes of chronic tension headache are still unknown, it is widely held that the symptoms are brought on by a tightening of the muscles that surround the base of the skull.  This tightening can be initially identified as a band like feeling just above the eyes that gradually grows into a painful sensation. 

Cluster and secondary headaches are a far rarer form of headache that occurs to small portion of the population.  To treat this kind of headache, serious medical attention is required.  Cluster headaches are easily identifiable by the amount of pain they cause.  Patients frequently describe cluster headaches as an icepick sensation behind one or both eyes.  Treatment includes powerful sedatives and pain medications.  Secondary headaches can be a sign of deeper neurological issues.

Chronic tension headaches should be approached from a stress management point of view.  Physical and emotional stress can be a significant source of chronic tension headaches.  Circumstances that trigger significant emotional stress can easily lead to chronic tension headaches.  Prolonged physical stress is another potential cause of chronic tension headaches.  Steps to manage both kinds of stress should be undertaken in order to reduce the occurence of chronic tension headaches.  If these steps do not succeed, then further treatment via pain medications may be necessary.  Chronic tension headaches that do not abate should be a signal to see a doctor.