Fortunately, most headaches are not life-threatening and can be treated without the need for a hospital visit. They can, however, have a significant impact.
However, just because you don’t need to rush to the hospital doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get care, especially if you have frequent headaches.
In the world, headaches are one of the most common conditions. In the last year, up to 75 percent of adults around the world have had a headache.
To begin, let us discuss when it is absolutely necessary to seek medical attention for a severe headache.
Infection, bleeding, clotting, and tumors are all serious and urgent causes of headaches, according to Natasha Yates – A general practitioner and assistant professor at Bond University.
If you observe one or more of the following, don’t hesitate to rush to the hospital right away (by ambulance or with a trustworthy driver):
- sudden onset of the worst headache you’ve ever had
- headache that worsens with exercise or sexual intercourse
- neck stiffness (new since the headache started)
- high fever that doesn’t lower with over-the-counter pain medication
- headache after trauma to your head or neck
- personality changes and/or strange behaviour
- weakness/numbness on one side of your body.
Three scenarios, in particular, are also critical:
- Women who are pregnant or have recently given birth who get an intense headache suddenly
- Immunocompromised individuals (such as someone living with HIV or on strong immune-suppressing medications)
- people who have had any COVID-19 vaccine in the last four to 42 days and are suffering with a persistent headache despite taking simple medicines
If you’re reading this and recognize yourself in any of the above, stop reading right now and get to the hospital, recommends the expert.
What else can cause a headache?
According to the doctor, “Possible common causes include dehydration, eye/neck strain, teeth grinding, lack of sleep or caffeine withdrawal. Even taking regular painkillers can cause “medication overuse” headaches; the cure can become the cause.
Where is the pain in your head?
“Sometimes the location of the pain gives a clue. For example, about 35% of headaches are “tension headaches”, which feel like a tight band around both sides of your head. Another 4% are “cluster headaches”, which start behind one eye (which can go red and watery) and are often associated with a stuffy nose.”
Other symptoms that may trigger a headache
An “aura” (such as flashes of light) may precede a migraine attack, and symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, heightened sensitivity to noise and light, and blurred vision are common.
Fevers, a change in your sense of smell, fatigue, and ear pressure are all symptoms of acute sinusitis.
According to the doctor, “Certain headaches, such as migraine episodes or tension headaches, may have triggers that set them off, including certain foods, sleep deprivation, particular smells, or emotional stress.
“Hormonal headaches track with menstrual cycles. Once an association is noticed, you may be able to pre-empt and treat headaches early.”
But, Migraines are worth noting because they can be so debilitating and misunderstood.
Many people misdiagnose “migraines” on their own. A bad headache, on the other hand, is not the same as a migraine attack, and some migraine attacks aren’t even accompanied by a headache!
If you suspect you’re having migraine attacks, have them correctly diagnosed and treated.
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