Do Tension Headaches Come and Go?

A tension-type headache may last for 30 minutes or (less commonly) months. In general, episodic tension headache symptoms tend to come on slowly and end sooner. They often happen in the middle of the day.

Can tension headaches come and go throughout the day?

These headaches can last 30 minutes to a few days. The episodic kind usually starts slowly, often in the middle of the day. Chronic ones come and go over a longer period of time. The pain may get stronger or ease up through the day, but it's almost always there.

Why do my tension headaches come and go?

Many chronic tension headaches develop for no apparent reason. Working long hours bent over a computer may trigger them. Some people get tension headaches if they drink too much caffeine or alcohol, if they don't drink enough water or if they go for a long time between meals and become tired and hungry.