Pounding headache for days: what should you know?

A prolonged headache can occur with migraine, viral illness, sinus symptoms, dehydration, heat exposure, anxiety, or medication overuse. Notice whether it is one-sided or widespread, steadily present or episodic, and worse with movement, light, or sound. Congestion, cough, fever, thirst, reduced urination, neck discomfort, nausea, or visual changes add useful clues. The duration does not establish a diagnosis by itself.

Reduce noise and bright light, rest, drink fluids, and eat a light meal if you have missed food. Avoid alcohol and note sleep, heat, screen time, illness symptoms, and every pain medicine dose. Follow label directions and do not combine products containing the same ingredient. Contact a clinician when the headache is continuing for days, particularly if this is a new pattern or your usual treatment is not helping.

Use emergency services for a sudden explosive headache, or pain with weakness, facial drooping, confusion, fainting, seizure, difficulty speaking, vision loss, severe neck stiffness, or repeated vomiting. Seek urgent assessment for headache after injury, new fever with marked illness, pregnancy-related severe pain, or a rapidly worsening pattern. Do not wait for a routine appointment when these features are present.

What examination or tests, if any, fit this pattern? Could my medicines, sleep, hydration, or recent illness be contributing? What plan should I use if the pain returns, and which symptoms mean I should go to emergency care?