Usually, there is no need to visit your GP if you only get occasional headaches. However, see your GP if:

• your headaches are frequent or severe
• your headaches come on suddenly and are unlike anything you have had before
• your headaches are accompanied by a very stiff neck, fever, nausea, vomiting and confusion
• your headaches followed an accident, especially if it involved a blow to your head
• you also experience weakness, numbness, slurred speech or confusion

Diagnosis

Your GP will ask you about your family history, diet and lifestyle. They will also ask you how long your headaches last, how frequent and severe they are, where they are located and when they occur.

Your GP may diagnose tension-type headache if the following apply:

• The headaches last from 30 minutes to seven days.
• The headaches have at least two of the following characteristics:
  - the pain affects both sides of the head
  - the pain is pressing or tightening
  - the pain is mild or moderate
  - the pain is not aggravated by routine physical activity, such as walking
• There is no nausea or vomiting.
• The headache is not caused by another condition.

The frequency of tension-type headaches varies from person to person.

Referral

Most tension-type headaches (and other headaches not caused by an underlying condition) can be managed by your GP and investigations are rarely needed.

However, you may be referred to a neurologist (specialist in the nervous system) if your GP thinks there may be a serious underlying cause.