There is a fairly reasonable chance that someone you know has experienced some sort of headache today, just because there are so many different kinds of headaches around. These forms of headache could be the result of dehydration, missed meals, migraines or other kinds of headache like a tension headache or even a chronic tension headache.

While a tension headache feels like a tight rubber band around your head, the pain from tension headaches goes away after a short time. Now imagine having to suffer from a tension headache every day. This sort of tension headache is classified as a chronic tension headache because the pain is experienced at least 15 days a month for a period of several months.

In the case of chronic tension headaches, the symptoms of the headache are similar to those of tension headaches, except for the fact that the pain never really seems to go away. People who have experienced chronic tension headaches describe the pain as if they were wearing a pressure band around their heads. Other people may describe severe chronic tension headache pain as a hooded cape that drapes down onto their shoulders.

In the case of both tension headaches and chronic tension headaches, the pain can be located at the forehead region, sides of the head and sometimes even at the back of the head. At its usual strength the chronic tension headache is a dull, aching pain, although sometimes the pain is like a pressurized tightness. Generally the pain is mild to moderately intense.

The severity of the pain differs with the general physical state of the individual concerned and it can also vary with the different kinds headaches. A lot of people begin to experience chronic tension headaches the moment they awake in the morning, whereas others say that their chronic tension headaches do not start until the early hours of the day.

Normal tension headaches are more common than chronic tension headaches, however twice as many women as men suffer from chronic tension headaches. The duration and the severity of the pain is about the same as a normal tension headache, although the pain from the chronic tension headache is almost a daily occurrence and is also of a continuous nature.

Those who suffer from chronic tension headaches are supposed to be more prone to anxiety and depression than non-sufferers of chronic tension headaches. It is also well-documented that chronic tension headaches are more common during or after heightened periods of stress and anxiety. Furthermore, anyone who has mood disorders like depression or anxiety ought to have these conditions treated before getting their chronic tension headache seen to.

Those who suffer from chronic tension headaches can lead normal and fulfilling lives with the proper medical advice and treatment. Over time, they may understand what the triggers of their headaches are and how avoiding these triggers can prevent the onset of a bout of chronic tension headaches.