High tension headache: what to know

Tension-type headache commonly causes a pressing or tightening sensation across the forehead, temples, or back of the head. It may affect both sides and can occur with tenderness in the scalp, neck, or shoulders. Bright light or noise may be uncomfortable, but repeated vomiting and prominent visual changes are less typical. Stress, poor sleep, prolonged screen use, jaw clenching, dehydration, and missed meals can contribute, although a headache can occur without an obvious trigger.

Headache is a symptom with many possible causes. A pattern that is new, changing, frequent, or interfering with work and sleep deserves a proper review rather than repeated self-treatment.

Take a break from close screen work, drink water, eat if you have missed a meal, and relax your jaw and shoulders. Gentle neck movement, a quiet room, regular sleep, and a warm or cool pack may be useful. If you take a pain reliever, follow its label and avoid using it repeatedly without advice, because frequent use can contribute to medication-overuse headache. A diary of timing, triggers, medicines, and associated symptoms can reveal a pattern.

Get urgent help for a sudden severe headache, weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, fainting, seizure, confusion, fever with a stiff neck, or a headache after a significant head injury. Seek prompt assessment for new headache with persistent vomiting, vision loss, pregnancy, cancer, or a weakened immune system. Arrange a GP Consultation when headaches are recurring, changing, waking you from sleep, or requiring pain medicine often.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a tension-type pattern, whether your medicines or sleep need review, what warning signs matter for you, and how to make a prevention plan. Bring your headache diary and a complete medicine list.