8 Signs Your Headache Requires Treatment

By Author: Monica Quinn
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Headaches are one of the most common ailments that can occur in people of all ages. Sometimes, headaches go away on their own, but in some cases, they can be a sign of a severe illness that requires medical attention. Let's look at eight main signs that indicate the need for headache treatment

1. Constant and intense pain
If the headache becomes persistent and unbearable, it may be a sign of a serious illness. Severe pain that doesn’t go away after the use of painkillers requires consultation with a doctor. This could be a symptom of a migraine headache, a cluster headache, or even a brain tumor.

2. Sudden pain
A headache that starts suddenly and reaches its peak intensity within seconds or minutes may be a sign of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. This condition requires immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening.

3. Pain is accompanied by other symptoms
If a headache is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, weakness in limbs, loss of consciousness, or difficulty speaking, it may ...
... be a sign of a stroke, meningitis, or another serious medical problem. In such cases, an ambulance must be called as soon as possible.

4. Change in the nature of the headache
If the type of headache has changed, for example, if it has become more intense or more frequent, this may indicate the development of a new disease. It is important to inform your doctor about any changes, as this will help make an accurate diagnosis and start treatment on time.

5. Headache caused by head injury
If a headache occurs after a head injury, it may be a sign of a concussion, intracranial bleeding, or other serious injury. In such cases, immediate medical attention is required, as the consequences of the injury can be life-threatening.

6. Headaches in people over 50 years of age
Headaches that occur in people over 50, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, maybe a sign of giant cell arteritis. It is an inflammatory vascular disease that can lead to serious complications such as blindness. Treatment of this disease should begin as early as possible.

7. Headache during exercise
If a headache occurs or worsens with exercise, it may be a sign of serious issues such as high blood pressure or cerebrovascular disease. It is important to undergo a complete medical examination to rule out dangerous causes of headaches.

8. Headache accompanied by fever
A headache accompanied by a fever can be a sign of an infection such as meningitis or encephalitis. In such cases, it is necessary to immediately consult a headache doctor for diagnosis and treatment, as these diseases can be life-threatening.

Headache treatment
Treatment of headaches depends on the cause. In some cases, lifestyle changes are enough to relieve pain. Here are some recommendations that may be helpful:
- Maintain a daily routine. Regular sleep and diet help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.
Moderate physical activity. Daily walks in the fresh air and light exercise can improve your overall health and reduce the risk of headaches.
- Avoid stress: Stress is one of the main causes of headaches. Yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can help manage stress.
- Good diet: Avoid foods that can cause headaches, such as chocolate, coffee, alcohol, and certain cheeses.
- Take pain relievers. In some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. However, they should not be used excessively as this can lead to increased headaches.

When to see a doctor
If your headache does not disappear after following the above recommendations or is accompanied by alarming symptoms, you should consult a doctor. Depending on the identified cause of the headache, the specialist will carry out the necessary examination and prescribe treatment.

Greetings, my name is Monica. I graduated from New York Medical College and work as a nurse in Queens Hospital at the moment. The thing I love the most is morning jogging, because it is a wonderful way to keep myself in tonus. I like to communicate with people who care about their health. I became a vegetarian five years ago. Now my daily menu consists mainly of vegetables, fruits and different cheeses. I am a member of water polo team and I love gardening. I like to see how huge flowers grow out of the tiny petal, it dazzles me because I love spending my time outdoors. My goal is to visit all the USA parks, and then all over the world)