What should you know about minor headache?

Headache pain may feel like pressure, tightness, throbbing, or a band around the head. Common triggers include missed meals, poor sleep, dehydration, heat, stress, eye strain, congestion, or an infection. A headache can occur with a cold, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, COVID-19, or heat exhaustion, but the symptom alone cannot identify its cause.

Note when the pain began, where it is felt, how long it lasts, and what happens before it. Repeated headaches, frequent use of pain medicine, or a pattern that is changing deserves a clinical review.

Drink water, eat if you have missed a meal, and rest somewhere quiet with comfortable lighting. Reduce screen glare, loosen tight hair or headwear, and try gentle neck and shoulder relaxation. Avoid excess heat and alcohol while symptoms are present.

If you use an over-the-counter pain reliever, follow its label and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, have kidney or stomach problems, take blood thinners, or use other medicines. Keep a simple headache diary if episodes recur.

Get emergency help for a sudden, extremely severe headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, confusion, a seizure, severe drowsiness, or vision loss. Seek prompt assessment for headache after a head injury, with a stiff neck and fever, or with repeated vomiting.

Arrange a review if headaches keep returning, wake you from sleep, worsen over time, or interfere with normal activity. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can also cause headache and need attention to the wider symptoms.

Ask what pattern your symptoms suggest, whether your medicines or blood pressure need review, how often pain relief can be used safely, and which warning signs should change your plan.