Mild headache (tension-type)
Tension-type headache is the most common kind of headache. The pain is usually mild to moderate, felt on both sides of the head — often a band of tightness or pressure across the forehead, sometimes extending into the shoulders and neck. Unlike migraine, it doesn’t usually throb, isn’t made worse by routine activity, and doesn’t come with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. It often settles on its own or with a simple over-the-counter pain reliever, and can be brought on by a cold, stress, poor sleep, eye strain, or skipped meals.
Self-care products available in our shop
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- ASA / Aspirin
- Important: limit over-the-counter pain relievers to no more than ~15 days a month (and products with caffeine or codeine to no more than 10 days a month). Using them more often can actually cause more frequent headaches — known as medication-overuse headache. Rest, hydration, regular meals and sleep, and easing neck/shoulder tension all help.
Treatments our pharmacist can prescribe
For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.
Analgesics: Acetaminophen, Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), Ibuprofen, Naproxen
When to seek further care: Seek emergency care immediately if a headache is sudden and severe (“worst headache of your life”), or comes with fever and stiff neck, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking. See a health-care provider promptly for a new or unusual headache, a change in your usual pattern, headaches first starting at age 50+, headaches more than 15 days a month, or throbbing one-sided pain with nausea or light sensitivity (which suggests migraine, not tension headache).