• Headache
  • Dull, pressure-like
  • Generalized, worse in the scalp, temples or back of the neck
  • Not one sided
  • Feels like a tight band or vise on the head
  • Occurs as an isolated incident (or occurs constantly or daily)
  • Worsened or triggered by stress, fatigue, noise, glare, etc.
• Difficulty sleeping

A headache that is mild to moderate, not accompanied by other symptoms, and which responds to home treatment within a few hours may not need further examination or testing. If a neurologic examination is performed, a tension headache causes no abnormal findings but musculoskeletal tenderness is often present.

The health care provider should be consulted (to rule out other disorders that can cause head pain) if a headache is severe, persistent or if other symptoms accompany the headache.

Headaches that disturb sleep, occur whenever the person is active, or that are recurrent or chronic may also require examination and treatment by a health care provider.