What is the typical characteristic of a tension headache?

A characteristic that is typically associated with a tension headache is the perception of tightness or pressure. Patients often describe this type of headache as a sensation of a band tightening around their head or fullness in the head. This feeling is generally mild to moderate in intensity and is often bilateral, as opposed to unilateral, which is more characteristic of migraines.

In contrast to other headache types, tension headaches do not usually present with neurological symptoms, such as aura or intense sensitivity to light (photophobia) and noise (phonophobia). While some may still have mild sensitivity, it is not as pronounced as seen in migraine headaches. This helps distinguish tension headaches from other headache disorders. Your understanding of the defining characteristic of tension headaches as perceived tightness or pressure is vital in diagnosing and managing headache types appropriately in clinical settings.