The most common causes are headache, migraine, or infection. Most conditions that cause pressure in the head go away on their own or respond to over-the-counter pain medication. However, intense or persistent pressure in the head may indicate a severe underlying medical condition.
Causes of pressure include allergies, sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, and headache disorders. More serious causes include ICP, brain aneurysm, and brain injury.
If the pressure or pain in the head is sudden and severe, seek emergency care. If you have recurring head pressure or pain, especially with symptoms like loss of balance or coordination, mood changes, fever, or nausea, you should call your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical care.
Classic signs of intracranial pressure include a headache and/or the feeling of increased pressure when lying down and relieved pressure when standing. 3 Nausea, vomiting, vision changes, changes in behavior, and seizures can also occur.
Use a heating pad set on low, a hot water bottle, a hot shower or bath, a warm compress, or a hot towel. Or apply ice or a cool washcloth to the forehead. Massage also can relieve muscle tension — and sometimes headache pain.
Another common symptom for people who struggle with anxiety is pressure in your head, or headaches, or what some describe as their head feeling heavy. There are other reasons your head may feel tight or heavy but it can also be related to a case of whiplash, a head injury, migraines, fatigue, or a muscle strain.
Most conditions that cause pressure in the head go away on their own or respond to over-the-counter pain medication. However, intense or persistent pressure in the head may indicate a severe underlying medical condition.
Here's the reassuring truth: Headache, by itself, is rarely caused by a tumor. According to a neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins' Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center, the chance that your headache is a sign of a brain tumor is very remote.
Intracranial hypertension (IH) is a build-up of pressure around the brain. It can happen suddenly, for example, as the result of a severe head injury, stroke or brain abscess. This is known as acute IH. It can also be a persistent, long-lasting problem, known as chronic IH.
In some people, idiopathic intracranial hypertension can get better by itself but recurrence (relapse) of symptoms is common. For many other people, a combination of medical and surgical treatment can help to control their symptoms well. However, some people can still have troublesome symptoms despite treatment.
Anxiety causes a heavy head feeling because of tension headaches common in people living with the disorder. Most people describe these headaches as feeling like a tight band wrapped around their heads. A tightening of the scalp and neck muscles also causes an anxiety headache.
Imaging tests.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to help diagnose brain tumors. Sometimes a dye is injected through a vein in your arm during your MRI study.
Symptoms of a brain tumour
seizures (fits) persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness. mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality. progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
In general, the most common symptoms of a brain tumor may include: Headaches. Seizures or convulsions. Difficulty thinking, speaking or finding words.
Stress or anxiety: Worrying, overthinking, and conflicts can trigger a tension headache.
Stress is a common trigger of tension-type headaches and migraine. It can also trigger other types of headaches or make them worse. Stress is a particularly common headache trigger in children and young adults.
Episodic tension-type headaches can last from 30 minutes to a week. Frequent episodic tension-type headaches occur less than 15 days a month for at least three months. Frequent episodic tension-type headaches may become chronic.
Feelings of pressure in the head and dizziness may occur together. Head pressure may be a type of headache or may happen alongside a headache. Head pressure and dizziness can often occur due to migraine. Any chronic or very severe and sudden symptoms may warn of a serious underlying condition.
Difficulty thinking, speaking, or finding words. Changes in personality or behavior. Weakness, numbness, or loss of movement in one part or one side of the body. Difficulty with balance or dizziness.
Some brain tumours such as pituitary gland, pineal region and germ cell tumours can change the levels of certain hormones and chemicals in your body. You may have blood tests to check for specific hormones and markers to help diagnose a brain tumour.
Depression and anxiety, especially if either develops suddenly, may be an early symptom of a brain tumor. You may become uninhibited or behave in ways you never have before. Changes in speech (trouble finding words, talking incoherently, inability to express or understand language)