Tension Headaches: Cause


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Cause


The cause of tension headaches is not clear. Experts believe there may be more than one factor that causes a tension headache. In the past, doctors believed that tension or spasms of the muscles of the neck, face, jaw, head, or scalp played a role in causing these headaches. Now they think a change in brain chemistry may also help cause a tension headache.



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Last updated: July 30, 2007
Author: Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors: Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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