What should you know about a headache?

Tension-type headaches often feel like pressure or tightening around the head and may follow stress, poor sleep, eye strain or neck tension. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can cause headache with thirst, weakness, dizziness or heavy sweating. A common cold, allergic rhinitis or sinus inflammation may add congestion and facial pressure.

Headache with fever, cough, sore throat or loss of smell can occur with infection, including COVID-19. Dengue fever may cause a significant headache with fever, body aches, nausea or a rash, particularly after mosquito exposure. The pattern, associated symptoms and examination matter more than the word headache alone.

Rest in a quiet, comfortably cool room, drink fluids, eat if you have missed a meal, and take breaks from screens. Gentle neck movement can help when tension is contributing. If you use an over-the-counter pain medicine, follow its label and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, have another condition or take regular medicines.

Keep a diary of timing, location, severity, possible triggers and accompanying symptoms if headaches recur. Arrange a medical review when headaches are frequent, changing, interfering with work or sleep, or requiring pain medicine repeatedly.

Seek emergency care for a sudden, extremely severe headache; weakness or numbness on one side; trouble speaking, walking or seeing; fainting, confusion, seizure, stiff neck or a high fever. Get urgent advice after a head injury, or when severe headache occurs during pregnancy or with persistent vomiting.

Ask: Does the pattern fit tension, migraine, infection or another cause? Could dehydration, heat, vision or a medicine be contributing? Do I need an examination or tests? Which change in symptoms should prompt emergency care?