Facial tension headache

Tension-type headache commonly causes a pressing or tightening sensation on both sides of the head rather than a throbbing pain. The discomfort can spread across the forehead, temples, cheeks, scalp, or around the eyes, with tight neck or jaw muscles. Clenching, teeth grinding, poor posture, missed meals, dehydration, and long periods of close work may contribute. Light or sound sensitivity can occur, but prominent nausea, repeated vomiting, weakness, speech trouble, or visual loss needs a different assessment. Facial pain can also come from dental, sinus, eye, or jaw problems, so location alone cannot confirm a tension headache.

Pause close-up work, relax your jaw so the teeth are not touching, stretch the neck gently, drink water, and use a warm pack on tight muscles. Regular meals, sleep, movement breaks, and a comfortable screen position can reduce triggers. Keep a headache diary with timing, location, activities, sleep, caffeine, and medicines. Follow label directions for any over-the-counter pain medicine and seek advice if you need it often, because frequent use can maintain headaches.

Get emergency help for a sudden explosive headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, confusion, seizure, fever with a stiff neck, or new vision loss. Arrange prompt medical review for a new pattern, worsening pain, headache after a head injury, persistent vomiting, or pain with a red eye. A recurring headache that affects work, sleep, or eating merits a GP consultation.

Does my pain pattern fit tension headache or another facial cause? Could jaw clenching, vision, posture, or medicines contribute? What prevention plan and review timing would suit me?