Head pressure causes and relief.

Common causes of head pressure: sinus, tension and blood pressure issues.

Head pressure happens for many reasons. The most common causes are sinus congestion, tension headaches and changes in blood pressure. Cold weather and seasonal changes can make things worse.

Sinus pressure.

When your sinuses get congested from a cold, seasonal allergies, or infection, pressure builds in your face and head. 

You might feel sinus pressure in your forehead, cheeks, or between your eyes. Once your sinuses clear up, the pressure usually goes away.

Tension headaches.

Stress, tight neck muscles and even poor posture cause tension headaches. 

These create a squeezing sensation across your head, like a band tightening around your skull. Tension-related pressure in your head often improves with rest and relaxation.

Blood pressure changes.

Sometimes, head pressure means your blood pressure is changing. If you have high blood pressure, you might feel it in the back of your head. This is worth getting checked out.

Migraines.

Migraines cause throbbing pressure, usually on one side of your head. They often come with sensitivity to light, nausea, or vomiting. Migraines can last hours or days.

Your body is trying to tell you something. Most head pressure goes away on its own, but some signs mean you need to see a doctor.

How cold weather and barometric changes trigger head pressure.

Winter weather and sudden temperature drops can make head pressure worse. Here's why.

Barometric pressure changes.

When the air pressure outside drops (before storms or during cold snaps), the air pressure inside your head changes too. Your sinuses feel it first. That's why a lot of people get headaches when the weather changes fast.

A 2023 study tracking over 336,000 headache events found strong evidence that barometric pressure drops, humidity and rainfall directly increase head pressure occurrences. 

The study also discovered something fascinating: people often feel pressure up to 6 hours before the weather actually changes. This confirms what many patients say: they can sense a storm coming before it hits.

Cold air and sinuses.

Cold, dry air irritates your sinuses and causes congestion. When your sinuses fill with mucus, pressure builds in your head and face. Winter heating systems make indoor air even drier, worsening the effect.

Seasonal congestion.

Winter colds are common. The combination of cold weather, indoor heating and increased time spent indoors around others creates perfect conditions for head pressure and sinus congestion.

Tension from cold.

Cold weather causes muscles to tense up. This includes the muscles in your neck and shoulders, which can trigger tension-related head pressure.

If you notice that head pressure gets worse during winter or when the weather changes dramatically, barometric pressure might be the reason.

Pressure in head: when to seek urgent care vs. home treatment.

You can usually manage mild head pressure at home. But certain warning signs mean it's time to visit CityMD.

Head pressure you can treat at home:

• Mild pressure that appeared with cold or sinus symptoms
• Pressure that improves with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers
• No fever or only a low-grade fever
• No vision changes or confusion
• Pressure that's getting better over time

If your headache persists or is accompanied by fever or flu-like symptoms, it’s important to visit your nearest CityMD for a thorough evaluation. In the meantime, prioritize rest by relaxing in a dark, quiet room, staying hydrated with plenty of water and warm beverages, and managing discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen.

Head pressure that needs immediate emergency attention: 

• Sudden, severe pressure in your head (worst headache of your life)
• Pressure with stiff neck
• Head pressure with nausea and vomiting
• Vision changes or confusion
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking
• Pressure with chest pain or trouble breathing

Getting checked at CityMD removes guesswork and gets you feeling better faster. Our doctors can examine you, check your blood pressure and recommend the right treatment.

Can allergies cause pressure in the head?

Yes. Allergies cause sinus congestion, which builds pressure in your head and face. Seasonal allergies often worsen in spring and fall, but indoor allergies happen year-round. Managing allergies with antihistamines or nasal sprays can reduce head pressure.

How long should head pressure last?

Most head pressure from colds or sinus congestion improves within 3-5 days as congestion clears. Tension headaches might last hours to days, depending on your stress levels. If head pressure persists longer than a week without improvement, visit urgent care for evaluation.

Visit CityMD for head pressure.

Head pressure is usually manageable, but there's no harm in getting checked if something feels off. That's what we're here for.
CityMD is open early mornings and evenings, most locations until 8 pm, some until 11 pm. No appointment needed. Just walk into your local CityMD urgent care and our doctors will figure out what's going on and help you feel better.