Tension headache all the time: what to know

Tension-type headache is often described as pressure or tightness rather than a throbbing sensation. Stress, jaw clenching, neck strain, poor sleep, and long screen sessions can maintain muscle tension. However, a headache that never fully clears may also reflect medication overuse, migraine, an eye problem, infection, or another condition. The continuing pattern is the reason to arrange an assessment; it does not identify one diagnosis by itself.

Write down whether the pain is continuous or fluctuates, where it is strongest, and whether activity, light, nausea, movement, or sleep changes it. Note every medicine, supplement, caffeine drink, and dose used for headache. Keep meals, hydration, and sleep as regular as possible, and take breaks from close screen work. Avoid increasing pain medicine without advice, because repeated use can make headaches harder to control.

Get urgent help if the headache begins suddenly and severely, follows a head injury, or occurs with weakness, numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, fever and neck stiffness, or new speech or vision problems. Seek prompt clinical advice if the pain is progressively worsening, wakes you repeatedly, comes with unexplained vomiting, or feels unlike your previous headaches.

Ask what examinations may help identify the cause, whether your current medicines could be sustaining the pain, and what a safe prevention plan would involve. Tell the clinician about blood pressure concerns, vision symptoms, snoring, teeth grinding, recent stress, and changes in sleep.