What should you know about prolonged tension headache?

Tension-type headache commonly feels pressing or tightening rather than throbbing. It may affect both sides of the head and spread into the scalp, neck, jaw, or shoulders. Stress, poor sleep, prolonged screen posture, dehydration, missed meals, and muscle tension can contribute. Migraine and other causes can overlap with these features, so a familiar label should not delay review when the pattern is new, unusually persistent, or different from previous headaches.

Drink water, eat regular meals, take screen breaks, and gently relax the neck and shoulders. A quiet routine and consistent sleep may reduce triggers. Use pain medicine only as directed and keep a record of doses, because frequent use can itself maintain headaches. A GP consultation can help distinguish a tension-type pattern from migraine, medication-overuse headache, or another cause and can guide prevention.

Arrange review if the headache persists, recurs often, needs repeated pain medicine, or affects work, sleep, vision, or daily activity. Seek emergency help for a sudden explosive headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, confusion, seizure, fever with a stiff neck, or headache after a significant head injury.

Ask what features support tension-type headache, whether your medicines or posture may contribute, and whether you need examination or referral. Bring a diary showing timing, location, severity, associated symptoms, sleep, meals, stress, and medication use.