When should I be worried about a headache?

See a doctor if you experience headaches that: Occur more often than usual. Are more severe than usual. Worsen or don't improve with appropriate use of over-the-counter drugs.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

How do I know if my headache is serious?

See your provider soon if: Your headaches wake you up from sleep, or your headaches make it difficult for you to fall asleep. A headache lasts more than a few days. Headaches are worse in the morning.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medlineplus.gov

When should you go to the doctor for a headache?

Seek immediate medical attention if you're experiencing the worst headache you've ever had, lose vision or consciousness, have uncontrollable vomiting, or if your headache lasts more than 72 hours with less than 4 hours pain-free.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cedars-sinai.org

What type of headache is alarming?

Headaches that are accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures. Headaches that are accompanied by a painful red eye. Headaches that are accompanied by pain and tenderness near the ...

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.harvard.edu

What are the chances my headache is serious?

The good news is most headaches are not harmful or dangerous. But, about 10 percent of headaches are a sign of a serious health condition and require an emergency evaluation.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on allinahealth.org

When Should You Worry About Headaches? | Cedars-Sinai

23 related questions found

What do I do if my headache won't go away?

See a doctor for a headache that never goes away, and for a constant headache that keeps occurring in the same area of the head. People should seek immediate medical attention if they experience the following: a sudden, severe headache. a headache accompanied by neck stiffness.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

Is it bad to have a headache for 3 days?

See your doctor if your headaches are frequent, you've had a headache for more than a few days, or your headaches are causing you stress or worry. Rarely, a headache might be a sign of a serious medical condition.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.qld.gov.au

Why am I having headache for so long?

Conditions that might cause nonprimary chronic daily headaches include: Inflammation or other problems with the blood vessels in and around the brain, including stroke. Infections, such as meningitis. Intracranial pressure that's either too high or too low.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

What does an aneurysm headache feel like?

Symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm usually begin with a sudden agonising headache. It's been likened to being hit on the head, resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before. Other symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm also tend to come on suddenly and may include: feeling or being sick.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

How do I know my headache is not a tumor?

Brain tumor headaches cause intense pain that people may confuse with migraine or tension-type headaches. However, brain tumors cause other symptoms in addition to headaches, including: fatigue. weakness.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

What does a dehydration headache feel like?

You may feel pain all over your head or in just one spot, such as the back, front or side. The pain is usually like a dull ache, but it can also be sharp. You may have a throbbing (pounding) headache, or the pain might be constant. The pain might get worse when you bend over, shake your head or move around.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

Is it normal to have a headache for 4 days?

Normally, tension headaches are not severe enough to prevent you doing everyday activities. They usually last for 30 minutes to several hours, but can last for several days.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhsinform.scot

Why won't my headache go away after taking medicine?

Taking OTC pain relievers too often, or at a higher dose than advised, could cause more problems. Once the drug wears off, withdrawal symptoms start. This leads to more head pain and the need for more medicine. Doctors call this a rebound headache.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

Is it normal to have a headache every day?

No, it's NOT normal to get headaches everyday

Most people have headaches from time to time. But if you have a headache more days than not, you might have chronic daily headaches, which come in many forms – most of them pretty disabling.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on gradyhealth.org

Why shouldn't you go to sleep with a headache?

Going to sleep with an untreated migraine is commonly a mistake as it may worsen during the night and become difficult to treat in the morning. If a migraineur is sleep deprived, he or she can expect more migraines, while those who oversleep may wake with attacks that are very resistant to therapy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on headaches.org

What does a high blood pressure headache feel like?

What can a hypertension headache feel like? Headaches triggered by high blood pressure typically cause a pulsing sensation that's felt all over the head rather than on just one side. If your headache is severe, happens suddenly, or is accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath, get immediate medical attention.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on khealth.com

What does a stroke headache feel like?

The easiest way to differentiate between the two is to pay attention to sensations. A migraine headache produces sensations like auras, flashing lights, or tingling skin, while a stroke-related headache causes sensations to be lost, such as a loss of vision or feeling.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on premierneurologycenter.com

What gets rid of a headache fast?

In this Article
  1. Try a Cold Pack.
  2. Use a Heating Pad or Hot Compress.
  3. Ease Pressure on Your Scalp or Head.
  4. Dim the Lights.
  5. Try Not to Chew.
  6. Hydrate.
  7. Get Some Caffeine.
  8. Practice Relaxation.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

How do I know if I have a migraine or just a headache?

The easiest way to distinguish a headache from a migraine is by the severity. Unlike headaches, which range from dull to acute pain, migraines are often so debilitating that the acronym POUND is sometimes used to summarize key migraine signs and symptoms.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nkch.org

Where are brain tumor headaches located?

Brain tumor headaches tend to cause pain that's worse when coughing or straining. People with brain tumors most often report that the headache feels like a tension headache. Some people say the headache feels like a migraine. Brain tumors in the back of the head might cause a headache with neck pain.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

How do I know if my headache is from stress?

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Stress and muscle tension are often factors in these headaches. Tension headaches typically don't cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. They do cause a steady ache, rather than a throbbing one, and tend to affect both sides of the head.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org

Is a headache for a week serious?

You should seek a professional opinion if you experience a headache that lasts longer than a week. If you are having trouble functioning in daily life or have to frequently take medications to manage the pain, talk with your doctor.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on advanceer.com

Is it OK to have a headache for 5 days?

Have you ever experienced a headache that lasted for several days? If so, this is not normal. Although this isn't a sign of a serious or life-threatening health problem, it is a sign that you may have a headache disorder or an underlying problem such as TMJ disorder.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tmjsleepapnea.com

Where are blood pressure headaches located?

Paroxysmal headaches are severe, may have a persistent or pulsatile quality, and are usually located in the frontal or occipital region. Headache is typically accompanied by perspiration, palpitations, anxiety, and facial pallor, and is known to occur simultaneously with sudden elevation of blood pressure.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov