What should you know about vertex headache?

A vertex headache is pain felt at the top of the head, and its pattern helps guide assessment and treatment. It may feel like pressure, throbbing, tightness, or tenderness. The location alone does not identify one specific cause.

Headache can accompany dehydration, heat exhaustion, a common cold, allergic rhinitis, or chronic sinusitis. Some people also experience headache during migraine, anxiety, or a viral illness such as COVID-19. A clinician considers timing, severity, triggers, fever, neck symptoms, vision changes, and neurological symptoms together.

Record when the pain starts, how long it lasts, what it feels like, sleep and fluid intake, medicines taken, and any associated symptoms. This can reveal a pattern that is not clear from location alone.

Rest in a quiet, comfortable place, drink fluids if you may be dehydrated, and eat regularly if meals have been missed. Gentle neck and shoulder relaxation may help when muscle tension contributes. Use only pain medicine that is suitable for you and follow the label or clinician's directions.

Arrange a medical review if headaches keep returning, change in character, interfere with daily activities, or need frequent pain medicine. Bring your symptom record and a list of medicines, including products bought without a prescription.

Seek emergency care for a sudden, extremely severe headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, confusion, a seizure, a stiff neck with fever, or new vision loss. Prompt assessment is also needed after a significant head injury or when a severe headache occurs with persistent vomiting.

Ask what features in your history suggest migraine, infection, dehydration, heat illness, or another cause. Ask whether you need an examination or tests, which treatment is safe with your conditions, and how often headaches can occur before review is needed.