The pain of a tension-type headache is:
- usually mild or moderate,
- felt as a pressure on both sides of the head (can be described as a tight band around the head),
- constant,
- not aggravated by routine physical activity,
- not associated with nausea or vomiting, and
- sometimes associated with sensitivity to light or noise.
There may also be a feeling of pressure behind the eyes and a tightening of the neck muscles.
A tension-type headche normally comes on during the day and can build gradually throughout the day. In most cases, it lasts a few hours and does not prevent you from doing everyday activities.
Chronic (persistent) tension-type headache occurs on more than 15 days a month, for more than three months.
