What should you know about common cold and headache?

Nasal swelling can make the face or forehead feel heavy, especially when bending forward. Blocked breathing can disturb sleep, while feverishness and reduced fluid intake can leave you washed out. A cold headache often appears alongside a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, sneezing or cough.

Headache with cold symptoms does not identify one particular cause. Facial pain that becomes pronounced, symptoms that worsen after initial improvement, or persistent thick nasal discharge may need assessment for sinusitis. Ear pressure or earache can also follow congestion.

Sip water or another suitable fluid, rest in a quiet room, and use saline spray if nasal blockage is making pressure worse. A warm shower may feel soothing. Take paracetamol or another recommended pain reliever only as directed on the label, and avoid doubling ingredients in combination cold products.

Keep the room comfortably ventilated and avoid smoke. Ask a pharmacist before using a decongestant if you have high blood pressure, heart problems, glaucoma, or take regular medicines.

Get urgent help for a sudden, unusually severe headache, confusion, fainting, weakness, a stiff neck, trouble speaking, or severe breathing difficulty. Contact a clinician if headache is persistent, recurrent, worsening, linked with repeated vomiting, or accompanied by a fever that does not settle. Seek advice sooner for a child, pregnancy, or significant medical condition.

Could congestion be contributing to my headache? Which pain reliever is compatible with my medicines? Do my facial or ear symptoms need an examination?