I have a headache: what should I know?

A tight pressure around the head can occur with tension or poor sleep. Headache with a blocked nose or facial pressure may accompany a cold, allergic rhinitis, or sinus disease. Fever, vomiting, marked thirst, dark urine, or recent heat exposure can point towards an illness or fluid loss. The pain pattern alone cannot establish a diagnosis.

Rest in a quiet, comfortable place, drink fluids, eat if you have missed meals, and take breaks from screens. Gentle neck and shoulder movement may help when muscles feel tense. Use pain medicine only as directed on its label or by a clinician, and avoid repeatedly taking it without advice. Record onset, location, severity, triggers, and associated symptoms.

Seek emergency care for a sudden, severe headache, headache after a head injury, new weakness or numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, stiff neck with fever, vision loss, or difficulty speaking. Get prompt advice for a new persistent pattern, worsening pain, repeated vomiting, or headache during pregnancy or with a serious medical condition.

Explain when the pain began, how it feels, what makes it better or worse, and any fever, congestion, nausea, visual change, or neurological symptom. Ask whether your medicines, sleep, hydration, blood pressure, or another condition could be contributing.