Generally, if the pain starts during a state of stress or anxiety and increases or decreases depending on the level of stress, then it is mostly caused due to anxiety/stress.
However, only a doctor may be able to diagnose the exact cause of the discomfort. Sometimes head pressure may also be a result of pressure inside the skull caused due to serious conditions like tumor, internal bleeding and meningitis.
If you have constant recurrent headaches that have been occurring from over a month, or if you had a head injury or impaired vision or phases of confusion, it’s best to get medical help.
Certain conditions at home tend to increase head pressure caused due to anxiety / stress. For instance dim lighting will increase the pressure. Either switch of the lights or opt for bright lighting, especially while watching television or working on the computer.
Some home remedies to get relief from these painful symptoms are as follows:
- Sit upright; slouching will put pressure on the neck and shoulder. Walking around also helps because it keeps the body straight.
- Avoid air-conditioners. Cold air or wind can increase headaches.
- Drink lots of warm water or warm tea or coffee.
- Place on your forehead, a wet towel which has been heated for a minute in the microwave.
- Steam inhalation can help. You can add peppermint or lavender oil to the water.
- Applying light pressure, massage forehead, temple and base of neck.
- Tie some dry roasted caraway seeds (easily available at Indian groceries across America) in soft cloth and sniff it.
- Each morning for 7-8 days, have chopped apples (without skin) sprinkled with a dash of salt, before you have anything else.
- Have a head and neck massage with rosemary oil.
References:
- http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/signs/head-pressure
- http://www.medindia.net/homeremedies/headache.asp
answered by A S