What is the Cause of Tension Headaches?

What Causes Tension Headaches?

Tension headaches can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'worrying' to 'very serious'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

Diagnose your symptoms now!

check your overall health status
have a doctor review your case (optional)
identify any nutritional deficiencies

Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose tension headaches, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "tension headaches" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):

Iron Deficiency Anemia
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects
Magnesium Need
Sarcoidosis
Low Melatonin
Dehydration
Adrenal Fatigue

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

increased emotional instability

sensitivity to bright light

being in early pregnancy

hoarse voice

partial aspartame/neotame avoidance

irritated eyes

microcytic red cells

high diastolic blood pressure

history of adolescent acne

meal-related bloating

occasional 'chills'

watery eyes

... and more than 140 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of tension headaches:

Cause	Probability	Status
Low Melatonin	91%	Confirm
Adrenal Fatigue	26%	Unlikely
Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects	23%	Unlikely
Iron Deficiency Anemia	4%	Ruled out
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity	0%	Ruled out
Magnesium Need	0%	Ruled out
Dehydration	0%	Ruled out
Sarcoidosis	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate chronic headaches, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Do you get Tension Headaches? This is the most common type of headache where a dull, steady ache usually occurs on both sides of the head.

Possible responses:

→ No / don't know
→ Probably had some/minor episode(s) now resolved
→ Major episode(s) now resolved
→ Current minor problem
→ Current major problem

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either history of tension headaches or current tension headaches, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Allergic Tension Fatigue Syndrome

Allergy to Foods (Hidden)

Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects

Double-blind studies have demonstrated that aspartame causes headaches. [Headache 1988:28(1) pp.10-14, Biological Psychiatry 1993:34(1) pp.13-17, Neurology 1994:44 pp.1787-93.]

Dehydration

Dehydration is an important trigger of migraines and tension headaches. The mechanisms are not entirely clear, but there appear to be several. Dehydration leads to:

Narrowed blood vessels including those in the brain: A contributing factor for headaches
Histamine release to induce thirst: Histamine can trigger migraines
Decreased serotonin production: Changes in serotonin levels can trigger migraines
Oxidative stress: A major trigger of migraines [Dr. Jonathan M. Borkum, Headache, Vol. 58, Issue 1, January 2018: pp.118-35]

Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet

Environmental Illness / MCS

Central nervous system dysfunction is common, resulting in headaches, chronic fatigue, poor short term memory, hyperactivity, and increased appetite leading to food cravings and overeating.

Estrogens Low

Women must first be exposed to elevated estrogen levels before low estrogen levels will trigger headache activity. Constant low levels of estrogen, as in menopause, are less likely to be associated with increased headache pattern.

Hypoglycemia

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement

A 'sluggish liver' often contributes to headaches.

Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency

Low Female Testosterone Level

Migraines are more common among women who have very low testosterone levels.

Low Melatonin Level

Migraines sufferers often are found to have reduced blood levels of melatonin.

Low Serotonin Level

Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Vascular or migraine headaches occur in 10% of lupus patients.