Last updated on November 28th, 2022 at 12:04 pm
When a person experiences a headache along with a stiff neck, decreased reflexes, loss of memory, neurological symptoms, confusion, or fever they must get immediate help from healthcare professionals.
Headache that is accompanied by pain in other parts of the body or red eye is also an indication of severe health conditions.
Sudden severe headache
Sudden severe headache is the most common type of headache and does not increase the intensity gradually. Instead, the suffering experiences intense and painful head pain as soon as it starts.
A sudden headache also known as a thunderclap headache indicates live threatening conditions. A patient must get immediate medical attention the moment they experience a thunderclap headache.
According to doctors, it can either be a benign cause that is not very harmful. But the patient must get an immediate diagnosis and treatment to find out the cause.
The symptoms of thunderclap headaches are similar even though there are different causes.
- Painful feelings in different parts of the head
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme headache that starts suddenly
- Headache along with painful neck
Studies suggest that a sudden headache will reach its peak in around 30 to 60 seconds. Sometimes the patient may get relief within an hour but it can also stay for more than a week.
How do I know if a headache is serious?
When a headache comes on suddenly and gives severe pain along with a change in vision, slurred speech, memory loss, or confusion, it is an indication of some serious underlying medical conditions.
Sudden severe headache and neck pain
Patients suffering from strong tension headaches may experience pain in the shoulder and stiff neck as well. Problems with muscles or joints, and emotional stress can also cause the condition.
Constant headaches every day
According to headache specialists, the cause of chronic headaches is not fully understood. Conditions that may result in non-primary chronic headaches include problems in the blood vessel around the brain, inflammation, and stroke or head injury.
As discussed before no specific cause of regular headaches is unknown. Studies suggest that following certain things and maintaining a headache diary can help prevent or reduce the intensity of headaches.
Preventing headache triggers is one of the first steps to reducing chronic head pain. Doctors recommend keeping away from things that can trigger the condition.
It may sometimes include food and activities that result in headaches. If a person can identify headache triggers they can easily avoid them.
One must stop the overuse of counter medication immediately. It is observed that the consumption of headache medication more than twice a week can increase the cigarette and frequency of headaches. Individuals that take medication for a longer period should consult a medical care expert before making any changes.
- Getting sufficient sleep is an important factor that affects chronic headaches. Typically adults need 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep.
- Lifestyle changes not only improves overall health but also reduces chronic headaches. It is always beneficial to select activities that a person enjoys.
- Everyone is aware of the fact that stress is a common trigger of chronic headaches. Therefore using stress reduction techniques can help reduce the symptoms.
- Excess consumption of caffeine-based beverages should be stopped. It is known for aggravating the headache condition in the long run.
- Occasional headaches do not require medical attention but if it turns out to be a chronic condition. Consulting with a headache specialist is necessary.
Why do I get a lot of headaches?
Many people ask this question why do they have frequent headaches? Sinus headaches can occur from time to time and usually goes away with or without treatment.
However frequent headache is not common and can be an indication of a life-threatening condition. It can take a toll on everyday life and work.
Unfortunately, a large number of patients suffering from headaches do not seek medical help. They rely on counter pain relievers instead of visiting a specialist.
Consulting with a primary key doctor about headache symptoms can help get some amount of treatment. If the condition is more serious then the doctor may refer the patient to a ct scan specialist.
At present, there are several effective treatments to cure symptoms of chronic migraine. It is also helpful in reducing future attacks.
Patients must understand diagnosis is critical to determine the type of headache and its treatment. Medical practitioners look for the causes and symptoms to come up with an effective treatment plan.
The intensity of the different types of headache can range from mild to disabling. Some patients may experience episodes or chronic pain if they do not take proper medical attention.
Tension headache every day
A person can suffer from tension headaches when the scalp and neck muscles become tense or contract. Muscle contractions are an impact of depression, anxiety, stress, or head injury.
Chronic daily headache can affect a person of any age but are usually seen in older teens and adults. It is more common in women if there is a family history of tension headaches.
Activities that require the head to be in one position for a longer duration can result in a headache. It can include working on a computer or finding work with hands.
Some of the common headache triggers include excess consumption of alcohol, mental or physical stress, excess consumption of caffeine-based products, smoking, high blood pressure, etc.
Tension-type headaches can also affect a person if they have migraine. It is important to note that this type of condition is not associated with any brain disease.
Constant headache for a week
Any type of headache is extremely painful for the suffering. It can cause substantial damage to overall health and everyday life.
The condition turns worse when the headache is constant and is felt all the time. There is a long list of causes for constant headaches that affect the side of the head.
It is important to note that some conditions behind secondary headaches are not serious while others can result in serious problems.
Even experts do not completely understand what is happening in the skull during a headache. The most common explanation for the cause is something causing the blood vessels to swell and stretch the nerves around them.
Various reasons result in different forms of headaches like cluster tension and migraine.
If a patient feels constant headaches then it is likely to be a red flag. Recurring headaches mean that the person should see a doctor as early as possible.
Is it normal to have a headache every day?
Getting a headache every day is not normal. The majority of people suffer from headaches from time to time. But if it starts occurring almost every day then it might be a form of chronic headache.
Also, it can be an indication of severe health conditions. If the head pain keeps coming back and medication does not help it is best to see a emergency room doctor.
When the primary headaches start occurring twice a week it can be a chronic headache. Around 5% of people suffer from this condition.
The pounding feeling in the head is very annoying but not necessarily a sign of a bigger problem.
Individuals worried about frequent headaches believe that they have a medical emergency like an aneurysm or a brain tumor.
If it is a primary pain then it is not caused by another condition. Unfortunately, doctors do not know what causes most types of headaches.
According to some estimates only, 10% of occasional headaches have a known cause. But there are several contributing factors to conditions like chronic headaches.
FAQ relating to what headaches to worry about
When should I be worried about a headache?
Primary headache disorders did not always cause harm but it might be a symptom of a more serious condition. If the patient gets an early diagnosis it can be treated to reduce complications.
What type of headaches are serious?
According to experts, cluster headache is the most severe type of primary headache. It occurs in groups or clusters and causes a lot of discomfort to the patient.
The person will feel the pain 1 to 8 times every day during the cluster period. The headache pain can last two weeks to 3 months.
Intense pain with a burning or stabbing sensation is very common in cluster headaches. It is usually located behind one of the eyes in the eye region without changing sides.
If a person is suffering from frequent headaches and it is very severe then they can reach out to a health care provider. One can start the diagnosis with a primary care physician.
It is crucial to diagnose migraine headaches appropriately so that specific therapy can be started to make the person feel better. A doctor will conduct a complete physical examination and discuss the medical history to learn about persistent headaches symptoms.
The conversation is important for the overall headache evaluation and treatment plan.
What does a brain Tumor headache feel like?
For most patients, pain from a brain tumor is localized to a particular area and is intense during the early morning or night. They suffer experience a dull pressure-like headache that turns worse during coughing or sneezing.
What is a warning headache?
According to doctors, some patients feel a warning symptom commonly known as aura. The condition may occur with or before severe headaches.
Symptoms include visual disturbances like blind spots or flashes of bright light, tingling feeling on one side of the face or arm, difficulty in speaking, etc.
