Tension vs Headache vs Meningitis: Difference and Comparison

Key Takeaways

1. Tension headache is a common headache caused by muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders.
2. Meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition caused by inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
3. Tension headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication, while meningitis requires prompt medical attention.

What is Tension?

Tension is the body’s response to pressures and other stressful events in life.

The symptoms of tension are different for people. The main signs of tension are sleeplessness, tiredness, depression, eating too much or too little, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, anxiety, muscle pain, dizziness, etc.

Tension can happen due to work, family, or personal stress.

Long-term tension can also lead to other health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity.

What is Headache?

Headaches are common that most people will experience in their lives. Frequently described as throbbing, constant, intense, or dull pressure, headaches are pains in the head or face.

The symptom of a headache is a pain in the face or head.

Most headaches are not dangerous. Some of the primary factors of headaches are alcohol, certain food, changes in sleep or lack of sleep, nicotine, poor posture, skipping meals, etc.

What is Meningitis?       

Meningitis is an infection or inflammation of fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges.

Meningitis is caused by a viral infection but can also be caused due to parasites, fungi, or bacteria.

The cases of Meningitis can improve without treatment in a few weeks, while some require emergency antibiotic treatment.

Some of its symptoms are sudden high fever, stiff neck, headache, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness, trouble waking, no appetite, etc. Serious complications from meningitis can occur. The longer the illness goes untreated, the higher the danger of seizures and long-term neurological damage for you or your child, like hearing loss, brain damage, shock, kidney failure, etc.

Difference Between Tension and Headache and Meningitis

1. While headaches are pains in the head or face that are frequently described as throbbing, continuous, severe, or dull pressure, tension is the body’s reaction to pressures and other stressful life events, and meningitis is an infection or inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
2. Stress-related to work, family, or personal matters can cause tension, while alcohol, certain foods, changes in sleep or lack of sleep, nicotine, poor posture, missing meals, etc., can cause headaches. A viral infection brings on Meningitis, although bacteria, fungi, or parasites can also bring it on.
3. The symptoms of tension are different for people. The main signs of tension are sleeplessness, tiredness, etc., while the symptom of a headache is pain in the face or head. Some of the Meningitis symptoms are sudden high fever, stiff neck, headache, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness, trouble waking, no appetite, etc.

Comparison Between Tension and Headache and Meningitis

Parameter of Comparison	Tension	Headache	Meningitis
Definition	Tension is the body’s response to pressures and other stressful events of life.	Frequently described as throbbing, constant, intense, or dull pressure, headaches are pains in the head or face.	Meningitis is an infection or inflammation of a fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms	The symptoms of trnsion are different for people. The main signs of tension are sleeplessness, tiredness, depression, eating too much or too little, headahces, constipation, diarrhoea, anxiety, muscle pain, dizziness, etc.	The symptom of a headache is pain in the face or head.	Some of Meningitis symptoms are sudden high fever, stiff neck, headache, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness, trouble waking, no appetite, etc.
Spread	Tension depends on the person.	Headache depends on the person.	Meningitis can spread through Coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing a toothbrush, cigarette, or sharing utensils.
Duration	Tension depends on the person.	Headache depends on the person.	Meningitis develops over several hours or maybe a over a few days.
Causation	Tension can happen due to stress related to work, family, or personal issues.	Some of the primary factors of headaches are alcohol, certain food, changes in sleep or lack of sleep, nicotine, poor posture, skipping meals, etc.	Meningitis is caused by a viral infection but can also be caused due to parasites, fungi, or bacteria.

References

1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12098-017-2403-4
2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejm198410043111401

Last Updated : 30 July, 2023