All-over headache: causes, self-care and warning signs

A tight or pressing pain across both sides may occur with muscle tension, poor sleep, missed meals, dehydration or illness. A clinician considers the whole pattern rather than using the pain location as a diagnosis.

Note whether the pain came on gradually or suddenly, whether it presses or throbs, and whether movement makes it worse. Fever, nasal symptoms, vomiting, light sensitivity, neck stiffness, weakness or recent heat exposure can change the likely explanation and the urgency.

Headache can accompany dehydration, heat exhaustion and viral infections. Chronic sinusitis may cause facial pressure with nasal blockage, but head pain without nasal features does not establish a sinus problem. Stress and anxiety can also tighten scalp and neck muscles without making the pain imaginary.

Rest somewhere quiet, drink fluids steadily and eat if you have missed a meal. Reduce screen glare, loosen a tight hairstyle and gently move the neck and shoulders. Avoid strenuous activity in the heat.

If you use a non-prescription pain reliever, follow its label and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have kidney or liver disease, have stomach ulcers, or use other medicines containing the same ingredient. Keep a brief record of onset, triggers, associated symptoms and what helped.

Seek emergency help for a headache that reaches maximum intensity suddenly, follows a significant head injury, or occurs with fainting, confusion, a seizure, new weakness, facial droop, trouble speaking, loss of vision, severe eye pain, a stiff neck with fever, or persistent vomiting.

Arrange a clinical assessment if headaches are new and recurrent, steadily worsening, waking you from sleep, appearing during pregnancy or after childbirth, or requiring pain medicine frequently. A change from your established headache pattern also deserves review.

Ask which features point toward a primary headache or another illness, whether your medicines or caffeine pattern could contribute, and what limit to place on pain-reliever use. Also ask which new symptoms should prompt urgent reassessment and whether a headache diary would guide treatment.