Tension-type headache is one of the most common forms of headache among children and adolescents, alongside migraine. The prevalence of tension-type headache in this demographic is variable, with studies reporting a range from 0.9% to 73%, largely due to differing diagnostic criteria. The typical onset age is between 5 and 12 years.
These headaches are more frequently observed in females during adolescence. Unlike migraines, genetics play a less significant role in tension-type headaches. The exact pathophysiology remains unclear but may involve trigeminal nerve activation. Characteristically, tension-type headaches present as bilateral, dull, and pressure-like pain of variable intensity, sometimes accompanied by phonophobia, and can last from minutes to days.