Back of My Head Has Pressure with No Pain

[Joan391]

Dr. I hope you can assist me.  My head has been carry excessive pressure in the Back region only. During the day it gives off a high pitch siren sound like a road block.  I do not know if it is a head cold of congestion or my ears.  I irrigated my ears to clean them with a syringe and put antibotic (antibiotic) ear drops. I have been to a ear specialist no obstructions found.  I am 60 years old and I have been on high blood pressure medication for many years. Clonidine 0.2mg to keep things under control. I had a hip replacement in 2002 and sometimes I will use darvocet to relax an joint discomfort.  What do you think might be causing this annoying discomfort? I take 10 mg of decongestant tablet, hoping if is my sinus cavity, it will dry out. I just been guessing along the way. I took amplicillin 500 mg, I have taken a Z-pak. My head is sirening as I type you this note. Now my jaw bone is hurting when I chew down on food.  

I notice if I am under stress relating to job or home conditions with my family responsibilities this problems begins to work itself up into a roar.  When I relax and try and calm down and think of relaxing things it quiets down to some degree. I go to the YMCA and do Zumba dance classes on Saturday for one hours and it seems to relax me.

Hope you have a great answer for me.  Thank you very much, Joan

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi Joan,
You have described a heaviness/pressure sensation on the back of your head, a high pitched sound in your ears, and pain while chewing.
Stress and mental tension can cause or worsen the pressure/heaviness on the back of the head. In fact, doctors cause this band-like pressure sensation "tension headache". It may not always cause headache with classic pain, but rather may present as heaviness, discomfort, or pressure sensation.
The ringing sound in the ears may have many underlying causes. Doctors call this symptom "tinnitus". Infections, blockage of a tube ("Eustacian tube)" which connects the ear to the throat, wax buildup in the ear canal, are some common causes. In most causes, however, no specific causes can be found. A few treatment options are available, but not uniformly effective. You may read more about this at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus
Jaw pain on chewing food is a relatively common complaint. It may reflect an underlying deficiency of calcium, phosphorus, or some muscle inflammation.
I suggest that you try steam inhalation for 10 to 15 minutes twice daily for the next two weeks. Also do warm saline gargles. Eat a healthy balanced diet, and try yoga for relaxation. If symptoms persist, pl consult a neurologist.
All the best!