A patient wakes with a dull, pressure-like headache that worsens; which headache type is most consistent?

A patient wakes with a dull, pressure-like headache that worsens; which headache type is most consistent?

• A. Migraine Headache
• B. Tension Headache
• C. Sinus Headache
• D. Cluster Headache

Answer: (D)

Headache type is distinguished by pain quality and pattern. A dull, pressure-like pain described as a band around the head that slowly worsens fits tension-type headache. These headaches are usually mild to moderate, often bilateral, and described as a tight or squeezing sensation rather than throbbing. They may be linked to stress or muscle tension and can persist for hours to days. By contrast, migraines are typically unilateral, throbbing, and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or light and sound sensitivity; sinus headaches involve facial pressure with nasal symptoms; cluster headaches are extremely severe, around the eye, with autonomic features and occur in clusters, often waking the person at night. So the described presentation best matches a tension-type headache.

Headache type is distinguished by pain quality and pattern. A dull, pressure-like pain described as a band around the head that slowly worsens fits tension-type headache. These headaches are usually mild to moderate, often bilateral, and described as a tight or squeezing sensation rather than throbbing. They may be linked to stress or muscle tension and can persist for hours to days. By contrast, migraines are typically unilateral, throbbing, and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or light and sound sensitivity; sinus headaches involve facial pressure with nasal symptoms; cluster headaches are extremely severe, around the eye, with autonomic features and occur in clusters, often waking the person at night. So the described presentation best matches a tension-type headache.