What should you know about tension headache what to do?

Tension-type headache is commonly described as pressure, tightness, or a band-like ache. Long periods at a screen, awkward posture, stress, poor sleep, jaw clenching, dehydration, or missed meals can make the surrounding muscles and pain pathways more irritable. The trigger is not always obvious, and several factors may overlap.

A short symptom diary can reveal a pattern. Record sleep, meals, fluids, screen time, stress, jaw clenching, medicines, and how the pain responds. This is more useful than guessing at a single cause.

Move away from close screen work and let your eyes rest. Sip water, have a balanced snack or meal, and relax your shoulders and jaw. Gentle neck movement or warmth across the neck may be comfortable; stop if it increases pain. Keep regular sleep and meal times when possible. If you use an over-the-counter pain reliever, follow the package directions, check for interactions or health restrictions, and do not combine products that contain the same ingredient. Repeated headaches or frequent medicine use call for a GP review.

Get urgent help for a sudden severe headache, weakness, numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, new speech or vision trouble, fever with a stiff neck, or pain after a head injury. Book a GP consultation when headaches are new, frequent, worsening, different from your usual pattern, or interfering with work or sleep. Bring your symptom diary and medicine list.

Ask which pain relievers are appropriate with your other medicines, how often they can be used, and whether posture, jaw tension, eyesight, sleep, or stress may be contributing. Ask what headache changes should prompt urgent care.