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Episodic tension-type headaches

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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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:


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