What is the primary characteristic of a tension headache?

The primary characteristic of a tension headache is a dull, aching pain and tightness around the head. This type of headache is often described as a feeling of pressure or a tight band squeezing the head, which distinguishes it from other headache types. Tension headaches typically result from muscle tension and stress, leading to a generalized sense of discomfort rather than the more localized pain associated with other headache types.

In contrast to tension headaches, sudden severe pain is typically indicative of a migraine or cluster headache. Pulsating pain localized to one side of the head is characteristic of a migraine, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light. Sharp, stabbing pain can be associated with other types of headaches or neuralgias, but it does not describe the nature of tension headaches, which are more about a consistent and moderate ache rather than episodic or acute sharp discomfort.