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.
Diagnostic criteria:
A. At least 10 episodes of headache occurring on 1-14 days per month on average for >3 months (≥12 and <180 days per year) and fulfilling criteria B-D
B. Lasting from 30 min to 7 days
C. At least two of the following four characteristics:
- 1. bilateral location
- pressing or tightening (non-pulsating) quality
- mild or moderate intensity
- not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs
D. Both of the following:
- no nausea or vomiting
- no more than one of photophobia or phonophobia
May be classified as
- Infrequent – headache occurring on <1 day per month on average (<12 days per year)
- Frequent – headache occurring on 1-14 days per month on average for >3 months (≥12 and <180 days per year)
- Chronic – headache occurring on ≥15 days per month on average for >3 months (≥180 days per year)
Source
Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) (2013). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia 2013; 33: 9-807.