What should you know about bad headache?

Headache can feel like pressure, throbbing, tightness, or pain around the face, scalp, or neck. Congestion may accompany allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, or a common cold. Fever and body aches can occur with COVID-19 or dengue fever, while heat exhaustion and dehydration may cause headache with thirst, dizziness, or weakness. Anxiety can contribute to muscle tension, but a new severe pattern should not be assumed to be stress.

Rest in a quiet, cooler room and drink fluids if you may be dehydrated or overheated. Eat if you have missed meals, reduce bright light, and note possible triggers such as poor sleep, heat, congestion, or prolonged screen use. Use only pain relief that is suitable for you and follow its label; avoid taking repeated doses beyond the instructions. A symptom diary can show whether timing, associated symptoms, or medicines are affecting the pattern.

Get emergency help for a sudden explosive headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, severe neck stiffness, repeated vomiting, or a major change in vision. Seek prompt assessment after a head injury, during pregnancy, with a high fever and marked illness, or when headache follows substantial heat exposure. Arrange a clinical review for a new, persistent, recurrent, or progressively worsening headache.

Ask whether the pattern fits a primary headache or points to another illness, whether an examination or testing is needed, and which treatment is safe with your medicines. Describe onset, location, severity, duration, triggers, associated symptoms, and anything that relieves or worsens it.