What kind of headaches should i worry about

What signs can help you distinguish between an ordinary headache caused by stress, one occurring as part of a migraine attack, and one caused by something much more serious, such as stroke or a brain tumor?

Another clue is when the headache is accompanied by other symptoms that are new to you. If in doubt, be safe rather than sorry and call or go to the emergency room, Dr. Mauskop says. It may not always be possible to distinguish the pain of a headache caused by stroke from a tension-type headache or a migraine attack.

Usually, a headache caused by stroke happens suddenly and abruptly, while a migraine attack has a slower, more gradual onset, usually stretched over several hours. In addition, stroke generally causes negative symptoms, indicating loss of neurologic function, such as weakness, numbness, slurred speech, and blindness. But some migraine symptoms can resemble those of stroke. For example, a person who has migraine with aura may experience loss of sight for short periods; tingling and numbness in the face, hands, or other areas of the body; and speech and language problems such as being unable to say words, slurring, or mumbling during a migraine attack.

A person with familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine may have the same symptoms as those that occur in migraine with aura as well as motor, or muscle, weakness on one side of the body. A stroke requires immediate treatment for the best chance of recovery, so anyone experiencing symptoms of stroke should get to a hospital emergency department as quickly as possible. Untreated hypertension can lead to a variety of ailments, including stroke , heart attack, and kidney failure.

The pain of a brain tumor can be hard to distinguish from a regular headache, though sometimes head pain from a brain tumor is worse early in the morning or when lying down. A brain tumor can also be accompanied by seizures, forceful vomiting, weakness, double vision, speech impairment, personality changes, and confusion.

Gradual warm-ups or treatment with an anti-inflammatory medication before exercise can help. Sexual intercourse may also trigger headaches; some men note only dull pain, but others suffer from severe attacks called orgasmic headaches.

Modern medicine depends on tests to diagnose many problems. For most headaches, though, a good old-fashioned history and physical will do the job. Still, these tests can be vital in patients with warning signs or other worrisome headaches. For most of us, an occasional headache is nothing more than a temporary speed bump in the course of a busy day. Even so, most men can ease the problem with simple lifestyle measures and nonprescription medications.

Relaxation techniques, biofeedback, yoga, and acupuncture may also help. But for some of us, headaches are a big problem. Learn to recognize warning signs that call for prompt medical care. Work with your doctor to develop a program to prevent and treat migraines and other serious headaches. And don't fall into the trap of overusing medications; for some gents, rebound headaches are the biggest pain of all.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin. Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media.

Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Pain Headache: When to worry, what to do April 15, Print This Page Click to Print.

Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Sign Up. Close Thanks for visiting. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

I want to get healthier. If you suspect you or someone else may be suffering from meningitis, get medical help immediately.

Your doctor will determine the necessary course of treatment. Head injuries should always be evaluated by a medical professional. Even if the injury appears to be minor, they should rule out any serious damage that might not be immediately obvious. A headache after a blow to the head may not be serious, but it could indicate that you have suffered a concussion or other brain injury.

In that case, tests and scans should be conducted to determine the severity. Symptoms of a concussion include loss of consciousness, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. If you suspect someone has suffered a concussion, take them to the emergency room immediately. If you are the one affected, have someone drive you.

Do not drive yourself. You may experience symptoms such as headache and trouble concentrating for up to months after the initial injury. These symptoms generally go away with time and rest, but they should be monitored.

Your doctor can help you manage these symptoms. It is not unusual for nausea and occasional vomiting to happen with a bad headache, especially if you are suffering from a migraine. Migraines are typically associated with symptoms such as vision disturbances and dizziness that can lead to nausea and vomiting.

These symptoms are unpleasant and sometimes debilitating, but they are generally not life-threatening and go away with time and treatment. If you experience frequent vomiting that goes on for longer than a day or two, it's best to seek medical care. Continued vomiting can cause dehydration, which can lead to serious complications.

The most serious causes of headache pain include: hemorrhagic bleeding stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in your brain breaks and bleeds. A bulge or ballooning blood vessel in the brain. A bacterial or viral infection that causes swelling in the protective lining of your brain. When to seek emergency care for a headache If you develop a headache with no history of a similar headache, here are seven signs that it could be dangerous and require an emergency evaluation: It comes on suddenly less than five minutes to maximum pain.

It is the worst headache of your life. You take a blood thinner. You have problems with your immune system, such as diabetes or HIV, or being treated with steroids or chemotherapy. You have arm or leg numbness or weakness, slurred speech, seizures or other neurological symptoms.

You have pain in the back of your head or pain that travels down your neck.