Chronic tension headaches are recurrent headaches marked by mild to moderate pain and tightness in the head. While the specific cause remains unknown, changes in brain chemistry are believed to contribute. In addition, certain factors may trigger headache onset. An understanding of potential triggers may help people who struggle with chronic tension headaches prevent or reduce bothersome symptoms. Doctor's guidance is recommended for people experiencing severe headaches or headaches accompanied by additional symptoms.
Skipping Meals/Fasting
Consuming meals at regular time intervals supports a person's energy and mood balance. Skipping meals, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, may provoke tension headaches in some people. Skipping multiple meals may further increase risk for tension headaches. Research published in "Nutrition and Food Science" in 2001 showed increased instances of tension headaches during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, known as Ramadan, during which participants fast (abstain) from food. Once food is reintroduced following times of fast, headache frequency tends to decline.
Emotional Causes
Emotional factors may contribute to chronic tension headaches. According to the UMMC, emotional stress, anxiety and depression may trigger tension headaches. For these reasons, stressful situations, such as work-related stress, troubled relationships, divorce, bearing children, weddings and losing loved ones may cause tension headaches. While everyone experiences stress, depression and anxiety occasionally, people with depressive disorders, such as major depression, or anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress or obsessive compulsive disorder, experience them more often. Jaw clenching--a potential symptom of anxiety disorder--may also trigger tension headaches.
Awkward Physical Positions
Physical positions may trigger tension headaches, particularly when held for elongated time periods. According to the UMMC, sleeping in awkward positions and holding similar head and neck positions, as people tend to do while working before computers, may cause or exacerbate headache pain.
Physical Exertion, Injuries and Fatigue
Excessive physical exertion and injuries can cause physical pain and tension throughout the body. For this reason, exercising for elongated periods of time or at a level beyond a person's capabilities may trigger headaches. Injuries to the head, neck or back may also cause chronic tension headaches, even years following recovery, according to the UMMC. Fatigue, or physical exhaustion caused by exercise, lack of sleep or other factors, may also trigger tension headaches. Eye fatigue, which may stem from staring at a computer, poor vision or time in the sun without sunglasses, can also contribute.
