What should you know about heavy headache?

A headache may feel pressing, throbbing, or heavy and may occur with congestion, fever, nausea, light sensitivity, or neck and shoulder tension. Common contributors include a cold, COVID-19, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, dehydration, heat exhaustion, or generalised anxiety disorder. A symptom does not by itself establish any of these conditions. Notice when it began, where it hurts, how quickly it reached its worst point, and whether movement, light, vomiting, fever, weakness, or vision change accompanies it.

Move to a quiet, cooler place and rest your eyes. Sip water, eat if you have missed meals, and avoid alcohol. Gentle neck relaxation may help if muscle tension is present. Use a suitable pain medicine only as directed on its label or by a clinician, and avoid taking headache medicines repeatedly without advice. Keep a note of triggers, timing, sleep, fluids, medicines, and associated symptoms; this can help a clinician recognise the pattern.

Call emergency services for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, confusion, seizure, severe neck stiffness, loss of vision, or difficulty breathing. Obtain prompt medical advice for a headache after a head injury, with persistent vomiting or fever, during pregnancy, or when it is new, worsening, or unlike previous headaches. Do not drive yourself if you are confused or have vision or movement problems.

Tell the clinician when the pain started, its location and character, and the fastest it became severe. Ask whether dehydration, heat, infection, sinus symptoms, stress, medicines, blood pressure, or another cause fits your pattern and whether examination or testing is needed.