Headache or health emergency?

Almost everyone has had a headache at some point in their life. And whether it’s a full-blown migraine complete with auras and sensitivity to light or a tension headache that starts in your shoulders and moves its way up to your temples, there’s no getting around it: A headache can be a real pain.

But the good news is that most headaches aren’t serious and don’t merit a trip to the hospital, according to the National Institutes of Health. In some cases, however, headache pain can be a warning sign of something more serious. So, do you know when it’s OK to take two aspirin and call your doctor in the morning versus heading to the emergency room?

Understanding headaches, and their contributing factors

There are a number of different kinds of headaches and their impact can range from bothersome to completely debilitating. Knowing how to recognize the signs that there might be a more serious problem will help you ensure your best health and feel prepared should you ever need emergency headache care.

Of course, understanding more about headaches, while a great first step, doesn’t negate the importance of regular visits with your doctor. If you’re experiencing minor headache symptoms, your primary care physician can help you understand how to monitor and control triggers and offer treatments that can provide life-changing relief. HCA Florida Healthcare physicians near you are always ready to help.

Headache types

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke classifies headache disorders into four main groups:

• Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches, though usually less frequent and shorter than migraines, are extremely painful. They happen in clusters, usually at the same time of day or night for several weeks and it’s possible to experience more than one cluster headache in a day.
• Migraines: Migraines are mostly described as moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head. These headaches reoccur, often with identifiable triggers like changes in the weather or environment, sleep changes, over exertion, hormonal changes and more. Untreated migraine attacks can last up to 72 hours and cause other unpleasant symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
• Miscellaneous primary headaches: From chronic daily headache to ice pick headaches, miscellaneous primary headache describes several headache types. If your headaches don’t seem to fall neatly into one of these categories, it’s best to talk with a doctor about your specific symptoms.
• Tension headaches: This is the most common type of headache and is usually caused by stressors like intense work, lack of sleep, depression and anxiety and more.

Signs of an emergency

The American Migraine Foundation recommends emergency care if you experience:

• Headache after a head injury: Drowsiness, persistent vomiting or loss of consciousness with a headache could be a sign you have a concussion or, in severe cases, a brain bleed — especially if your symptoms begin after a head injury.
• Headache with neurological symptoms: If the pain in your head is accompanied by neurological symptoms, such as difficulty speaking, vision changes, weakness, numbness or trouble walking, it could be a sign of a stroke or other neurological problem that requires immediate evaluation and treatment.
• Headache with other medical conditions: Seek medical care if your health history includes cancer or HIV, or you’re immunocompromised, and develop a new headache. Some health conditions make you more susceptible to infections and cause complications that can present as headaches but indicate something more serious.
• Headache with stiff neck and fever: A headache with a stiff neck, high fever and light sensitivity could be a sign of meningitis, a life-threatening infection in the membranes surrounding your spinal cord and brain.
• New headache over 50: If you’re 50 years old or older and get your first headache ever, it could be a warning sign that there’s a significant problem with your health, including brain hemorrhage, infection, tumors and disorders related to high blood pressure.
• Sudden, severe headache: If you experience an intense headache that seems to come out of nowhere, reaches peak severity within minutes of its start and doesn’t let up despite any preventive measures you might take, it can be a sign of a significant health emergency, such as a stroke or brain aneurysm.

While most headaches are not a cause for alarm, some require immediate medical attention. Learning to recognize the signs that your headache could point to something more serious can make all the difference. Seek emergency care right away or call 911, if you suspect your head pain is a medical emergency.