What is the most likely diagnosis for a headache described as a tightening sensation lasting multiple days with no associated nausea or light sensitivity?

A headache that is characterized as a tightening sensation, lasts for multiple days, and presents without additional symptoms such as nausea or light sensitivity aligns closely with the features of a tension headache. Tension headaches are often described as a band-like pressure or tightness around the head and can occur with varying intensity. The absence of nausea, vomiting, or photophobia (light sensitivity) helps distinguish this type of headache from migraines, which typically involve more profound symptoms.

Tension headaches are often triggered by stress, anxiety, or muscle tension in the neck and scalp, and their duration can extend over days, which is consistent with the headache described. This distinct profile of a non-pulsating, bilateral headache that is not aggravated by routine physical activity also supports the diagnosis of a tension headache as the likely cause.

In contrast, migraines are usually unilateral, can be accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity, and may last for shorter periods. Cluster headaches present with severe, unilateral pain and often come with autonomic symptoms like tears or nasal congestion. Medication-overuse headaches result from the frequent use of pain relief medications and often have specific characteristics related to the overuse history, typically exacerbating the original headache type rather than presenting solely as a tightening sensation.