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What Causes Pressure in The Head and What to Do About It

What Causes Pressure in The Head and What to Do About It

woman with headacke

Head pressure can stem from headaches or ear infections, yet it can also be a tell-tale sign of more serious conditions, such as a concussion or tumour. It might come alongside other symptoms like dizziness.

Several conditions can prompt a sensation of tightness, heaviness, or pressure in the head, varying from mild to severe.

The majority of conditions causing head pressure aren’t usually a cause for alarm. Common ones include tension headaches, migraines, sinus-related issues, and ear infections.

Occasionally, abnormal or severe head pressure may indicate a serious medical problem, like a brain tumour or aneurysm. However, these are rare occurrences.

Wondering why you’re experiencing pain and pressure in your head?

Pressure, aches, and pain in the head can have numerous potential triggers. Tension headaches and migraines are among the most common.

Tension Headaches

How it feels

Pain from tension headaches is usually mild to moderate in intensity. Some liken it to an elastic band squeezing their head.

What it is

Also referred to as tension-type headaches (TTH), these are the most common type of headache. The lifetime prevalence of TTH ranges between 30–78%. However, their causes remain poorly understood.

Causes:

Sinus Headaches and Other Sinus Conditions

Causes:

Ear Conditions

Causes:

Migraine

Other Headaches

Concussions and Other Head Injuries

Brain Tumour

Brain Aneurysm

Other Conditions

Various other conditions can lead to head pressure, including dehydration or hunger, dental infections, fatigue, high blood pressure, infections such as meningitis and encephalitis, muscle strain in the head or neck, and stroke or transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke).

What are the Symptoms of Head Pressure and Pain?

Head pressure may occur alone or alongside other symptoms.

Are there Home Remedies for Head Pressure?

For head pressure without serious underlying causes, some home remedies and lifestyle changes may help alleviate symptoms.

For instance, tension headaches, often linked to stress, poor sleep, depression, anxiety, or menstrual cycles, might benefit from:

How Do I Treat Head Pressure and Pain?

The treatment your doctor recommends depends on the underlying cause of your head pressure and pain.

In cases where the cause isn’t apparent, or symptoms suggest a more serious issue, your doctor may order a CT scan or an MRI scan for a detailed brain image.

For recurring headaches, your doctor might prescribe medication to prevent them, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, or other pain relievers.

Lifestyle changes and alternative therapies, focusing on stress and tension relief, can also be effective in treating tension headaches.

Takeaway

While tension headaches and migraines are the most common causes of head pressure and pain, it’s essential to seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

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