8A81
Tension-type headache
Description
A primary and highly prevalent headache disorder, in most cases episodic. Attacks of highly variable frequency and duration are characterised by mild-to-moderate headache without associated symptoms, although pericranial tenderness may be present. In a minority of cases the disorder evolves, with increasingly frequent headache and sometimes loss of episodicity. [1]
Subcategories
8A81.0 Infrequent episodic tension-type headache
Infrequent episodes of headache, typically bilateral, pressing or tightening in quality and of mild to moderate intensity, lasting minutes to days. The pain does not worsen with routine physical activity and is not associated with nausea, but photophobia or phonophobia may be present. [1]
A. At least 10 episodes occurring on <1 day per month on average (<12 days per year) and fulfilling criteria B-D
B. Headache lasting from 30 minutes to 7 days
C. Headache has at least two of the following characteristics: 1. bilateral location 2. pressing/tightening (non-pulsating) quality 3. mild or moderate intensity 4. not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs
D. Both of the following: 1. no nausea or vomiting (anorexia may occur) 2. no more than one of photophobia or phonophobia
E. Not attributed to another disorder
8A81.1 Frequent episodic tension-type headache
Frequent episodes of headache, typically bilateral, pressing or tightening in quality and of mild to moderate intensity, lasting minutes to days. The pain does not worsen with routine physical activity and is not associated with nausea, but photophobia or phonophobia may be present. [1]
A. At least 10 episodes occurring on average 1 to 14 days per month for at least 3 months (more than 12 but less than 180 days per year) and fulfilling criteria B-D
B. Headache lasting from 30 minutes to 7 days
C. Headache has at least two of the following characteristics: 1. bilateral location 2. pressing/tightening (non-pulsating) quality 3. mild or moderate intensity 4. not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs
D. Both of the following: 1. no nausea or vomiting (anorexia may occur) 2. no more than one of photophobia or phonophobia
E. Not attributed to another disorder
8A81.2 Chronic tension-type headache
A disorder evolving from frequent episodic tension-type headache, with daily or very frequent episodes of headache, typically bilateral, pressing or tightening in quality and of mild to moderate intensity, lasting hours to days, or unremitting. The pain does not worsen with routine physical activity, but may be associated with mild nausea, photophobia or phonophobia. [1]
A. Headache occurring on 15 days per month on average for >3 months (180 days per year) and fulfilling criteria B-D
B. Headache lasts hours or may be continuous
C. Headache has at least two of the following characteristics: 1. bilateral location 2. pressing/tightening (non-pulsating) quality 3. mild or moderate intensity 4. not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs
D. Both of the following: 1. no more than one of photophobia, phonophobia or mild nausea 2. neither moderate or severe nausea nor vomiting
E. Not attributed to another disorder
Coded elsewhere
References
- World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (ICD-11 MMS), 2026-01 release. World Health Organization; 2026.
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