Tension Type Headache Research Paper

Headache is perceived as a pain felt inside your head. Depends on the regions of the head, headache can be classified into different types.

The first one, which is also the most common type, is tension-type headache. Tension-type headache can be further subdivided into two forms, episodic and chronic. Episodic tension-type headache is when a patient experience 30-minute or 7-day long headache for less than one day a month with mild or moderate intensity, followed by no nausea or vomiting. On the other hand, chronic tension-type headache is characterised by a headache meeting the above criteria but for more than 15 days a month. (Loder and Rizzoli, 2008)

Another type of headache is migraine. Migraine is viewed as a more severe condition compared to tension-type headache as the frequency of headache attacks increases. Migraine patients can be identified as those who have had at least two headache attacks with aura, in which the symptoms are seeing flashing lights, difficulty in concentration, problems

(Steiner TJ, et al, 2003). However, complications with aspirin or NSAIDs including gastric irritation and frequent ulceration may result (Loder and Rizzoli, 2008).

The most obvious role of pharmacist is giving advices to patients about what medications are suitable for them. For an over-the-counter treatment, especially for headache, the advisory role of pharmacist is highly highlighted. The WWHAM acronym, which is composed by the National Pharmaceutical Association, lead the pharmacist to the conclusion of what over-the counter medications they should give the patient by having them answered a list of questions. That includes “What are the symptoms?”, “Who is it for?”, “How long have the patient had them?”, “Action already taken?”, “Medicines being taken for other