Episodic tension-type headaches

The episodic subtype of tension headaches is seen in around 80% of people from time to time (1).

The clinical features of an episodic tension-type headache include:

• headache lasting from 30 minutes to 7 days
• has at least two of the following characteristics
  • bilateral location
  • pressing (not pulsating) quality
  • mild or moderate intensity
  • not aggravated by routine exercise
• both of the following
  • no nausea or vomiting (anorexia may occur)
  • either photophobia or phonophobia
• the pain may spread to or begin from the neck (1)
• cannot be attributed to another disease
• there might be increased pericranial tenderness recorded by manual palpation (1)

There are two subtypes:

• infrequent episodic tension-type headache
  • at least 10 episodes occuring on 1< day per month on average.
• frequent episodic tension-type headache
  • at least 10 episodes occuring on >=1 but <15 days permonth for at least 3 months (3)

Reference:

• (1) British Association for the Study of Headache 2007. Guidelines for All Healthcare Professionals in the Diagnosis and Management of Migraine Tension-Type, Cluster and Medication-Overuse Headache
• (2) Headache classification subcommittee of the international headache society. The international classification of headache disorders.2nd edition. Cephalagia 2004; 1:24
• (3) Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) 2008. Diagnosis and management of headache in adults