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Pure Tension-type Headache Versus Tension-type Headache in the Migraineur

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Abstract

Primary headache disorders include tension-type headache and migraine. These headache types can be differentiated based on strict clinical definitions that depend on the patient’s signs and symptoms. However, some of the clinical features can overlap, and in addition, the same comorbid conditions can occur in both headache types. Distinction between these headache types on occasion can be difficult due to comorbid conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorders and myofascial pain with forward head posturing, which may be present in both headache disorders, and thus result in similar features in both conditions. Furthermore, chronification, particularly of migraine, leads to a decrease in the associated symptoms of migraine, such as nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia, so that these headaches more closely resemble tension-type headache. Finally, in some patients, both tension-type headache and migraine may occur at different times.

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Disclosures

Dr. Andrew Blumenfeld serves as a consultant for Allergan, MAP Pharmaceuticals, GSK, Pfizer, and Nautilus, and has received honoraria from Allergan, Zogenix, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Merck and Co, Forrest Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Jack Schim serves as a consultant for Allergan and MAP Pharmaceuticals; has received honoraria from Zogenix, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Co., and Merck and Co.; has received payment for developments of educational presentations from Allergan; and has received travel expense compensation from Allergan and Zogenix. Jessica Brower: none.

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  1. The Headache Center of Southern California, 320 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA, 92024, USA

    Andrew Blumenfeld, Jack Schim & Jessica Brower

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  1. Andrew Blumenfeld
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  2. Jack Schim
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  3. Jessica Brower
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Correspondence to Andrew Blumenfeld.

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Blumenfeld, A., Schim, J. & Brower, J. Pure Tension-type Headache Versus Tension-type Headache in the Migraineur. Curr Pain Headache Rep 14, 465–469 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-010-0147-1

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