Recurring tension headache: what to know

Tension-type headaches commonly feel like a steady band or pressure rather than a throbbing pain. Tight muscles in the scalp, jaw, neck or shoulders can contribute. Stress, long screen sessions, awkward posture, missed meals, dehydration and poor sleep may act as triggers. Migraine and other causes can overlap, so the timing, location and associated symptoms matter more than the label alone.

Keep regular meals, drink water, protect sleep and take short movement breaks during desk or screen work. Relax the jaw and shoulders, and consider gentle neck movement if it does not increase pain. Record timing, activities, sleep, food, medicines and symptoms. Use pain relief only as directed on its label or by a clinician; frequent use can itself contribute to ongoing headaches.

Book a GP consultation if headaches are becoming more frequent, changing character, disrupting work or sleep, or requiring regular pain medicine. Seek urgent help for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, fever with a stiff neck, vision loss, or a headache after a significant head injury.

Does my pattern fit tension-type headache? Could my medicines, vision, jaw or neck be contributing? How often can I use pain relief, and what prevention plan suits me?