What should you know about constant dull headache?

Tight neck and scalp muscles, prolonged screen use, missed meals, poor sleep, or frequent painkiller use can maintain a background ache. Allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis may cause pressure around the face, although facial pressure does not by itself prove sinus disease. A common cold or COVID-19 may bring headache with respiratory symptoms. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can add thirst, weakness, dizziness, or nausea. Dengue fever deserves medical attention when headache occurs with fever, marked body aches, rash, or bleeding.

Generalised anxiety disorder can contribute through muscle tension and disrupted sleep. The pattern and associated symptoms matter more than the word dull.

Drink fluids, eat regular meals, rest from screens, and gently move your neck and shoulders. Stay in a cool place after heat exposure. Keep a brief record of onset, location, triggers, sleep, medicines, and accompanying symptoms. Use pain relief only as directed on the label or by a clinician; frequent use can itself sustain headaches.

Seek urgent care for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, stiff neck with fever, vision loss, repeated vomiting, or a headache after a significant injury. Seek prompt advice for a new persistent headache, worsening pattern, pregnancy, or headache with high fever or unusual bruising.

What features suggest tension, dehydration, sinus disease, infection, or another cause? Could my medicines or screen habits be contributing? Do I need an examination or tests based on my pattern?