Ano ang tension headache?

The discomfort may feel like a tight band or pressure across the forehead, temples, scalp, or back of the head. It can be mild or strong enough to interrupt concentration, but routine movement generally does not make it markedly worse.

Tension-type headache may come with tenderness in the scalp, neck, or shoulders. Nausea, vomiting, and pronounced sensitivity to light or sound point away from a straightforward tension headache and deserve discussion with a clinician, especially when the pattern is new.

Stress, tiredness, missed meals, dehydration, prolonged screen use, eye strain, and holding the neck in one position can contribute. Keeping a simple note of timing, sleep, meals, activities, and medicines can reveal a repeatable trigger.

Pause screen work, drink water, eat if you have missed a meal, and relax the jaw and shoulders. Gentle neck movement, a quiet rest, or a warm or cool pack may ease muscle tension. Resume activity gradually once the pain settles.

A pharmacist or clinician can help you choose a suitable non-prescription pain reliever after checking pregnancy, allergies, stomach or kidney problems, blood-thinning medicines, and other treatments. Frequent use of headache medicine can itself sustain headaches, so arrange a GP consultation if you need it repeatedly.

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

Book a routine appointment when headaches are becoming more frequent, feel different from your established pattern, wake you from sleep, interfere with daily life, or require repeated pain medicine. A clinician can review blood pressure, vision, neurological signs, medicines, and other possible causes.

Ask whether your symptoms fit tension-type headache, whether any medicine or health condition could be contributing, which pain relief is appropriate for you, and how often it can be used. Bring your headache notes and a list of medicines, supplements, and recent changes in sleep or stress.