Why does the back of my head feel swollen when I tilt my head backward, and what should I do about it?

Headache or a feeling of fullness in the occipital region when tilting the head backward may be caused by physiological factors as well as pathological conditions such as cervical spondylosis and hypertension. Symptoms can be relieved through general management or medication. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Physiological Factors

If there has been recent overexertion or mental stress, sleep quality may decline, potentially causing a sensation of pressure in the back of the head when tilting it backward. This is generally a normal phenomenon that does not require special treatment; ensuring adequate sleep is recommended.

2. Pathological Factors

1) Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis may lead to conditions such as cervical osteophyte formation and spinal canal stenosis, which can affect nerve function and blood circulation within the spinal canal. This may impair blood supply to the posterior part of the brain, resulting in a sensation of tightness or fullness in the occipital area. Patients may take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or celecoxib capsules under medical guidance.

2) Hypertension
Elevated blood pressure can lead to excessive cerebral perfusion and abnormal cerebrovascular regulation, thereby causing the aforementioned symptoms. Under a doctor's supervision, patients may use medications such as levamlodipine maleate tablets or sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets.

In addition, conditions such as cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism, or intracerebral hemorrhage may also cause similar symptoms. It is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital and cooperate with doctors for early, standardized treatment.