Which statement about episodic tension headaches is true?

• A. They occur almost daily and persist for weeks
• B. They are best treated with antibiotics
• C. They are the most common type of tension headache
• D. They are unrelated to stress

Answer: (C)

Episodic tension-type headaches are the most common form of tension headaches. They typically present as a bilateral, pressing or tightening sensation around the head (a feel of a tight band), of mild to moderate intensity, that lasts from 30 minutes up to several hours. These headaches are not usually worsened by routine activity and are not accompanied by the nausea or vomiting that can occur with other headaches. They can be triggered by stress or muscle tension, but they are not caused by an infection or treated with antibiotics.

The other statements don’t fit because chronic tension-type headaches—marked by headaches occurring on 15 or more days per month for about three months—are different from episodic ones, antibiotics aren’t a treatment for tension headaches, and stress is indeed a common factor associated with tension-type headaches.