When is a Severe Headache an Emergency?

When it comes to dizziness, vision problems, difficulty speaking or loss of balance, with fever, stiff neck, or vomiting, many patients may find themselves in need of an emergency room visit for headache or migraine. After experiencing severe headaches for a long time, you may reach the “gout that fills the glass” and can no longer cope with the problem. A headache can be a symptom of a serious condition, such as stroke, meningitis, or encephalitis. The pain threshold varies from person to person.

However, a patient should go to an emergency department if he has a severe headache with or without nausea and vomiting. People often describe pain as throbbing and severe throbbing (pain in a series of regular heartbeats or a rhythm) on one side of the head. Migraine symptoms vary from person to person. In general, migraine headaches last about four hours, but if they are severe, they can last longer than three days.

In this situation, a person may need to see a doctor, regardless of the intensity of the pain. Some people may have migraines every few days, while others get migraines once or twice a year. Common types of migraines can occur with or without aura and are characterized by one-sided headaches. Most people who go to an emergency room for severe headache or migraine don't get lasting results from medications given in the emergency room, so it's very important to have a good long-term plan and relationship with an outpatient doctor who treats their headache disorder.

Tension headaches: Tension headaches are characterized by a tight band of pressure and pain around the head. Some people are due to chronic headaches or migraine problems that don't go away with treatment, and in other cases, headache is a symptom of another medical problem. A migraine headache is a severe headache that is often accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to sound and light. Most headaches come on gradually, and if you pay attention to your body, you can prevent the headache from getting worse.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes migraines; however, other headaches, such as tension headaches, have more specific triggers and causes. Cluster headaches: A cluster headache is a sharp, burning pain that is localized on one side of the head. Symptoms of migraine that a person with another type of headache does not usually experience include nausea, vomiting, worsening with mild exercise, debilitating pain, eye pain, throbbing headache. If you have the typical severe headache or migraine, and you don't have any new symptoms, the chances that these tests will be helpful are extremely low and you have the right to refuse them (see 5 things patients and doctors should question with migraine and headache). This type of migraine includes vision changes or neurological symptoms that usually occur before the actual headache.

If you describe your headache as “the worst headache of your life” you should go to an emergency room. In addition to tension headaches and migraines, there are times when a headache can be a sign of emergency such as stroke, meningitis or brain tumor. Reviewed for accuracy by subject matter experts, headache specialists and medical advisors from the American Migraine Foundation with in-depth knowledge and training in headache medicine. Headaches are one of the most common diseases that Americans suffer from and it is very likely that you will experience a headache during your lifetime. It is important to be aware of when your headache could be an emergency situation so that you can seek medical attention as soon as possible if needed. Severe headaches accompanied by dizziness, vision problems, difficulty speaking or loss of balance should always be taken seriously as they could be signs of stroke or meningitis.

If your headache is accompanied by fever or stiff neck then it could be meningitis so it is important to seek medical attention immediately. If your headache has been going on for days or weeks then it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible as this could be a sign of something more serious than just a regular headache. It is also important to pay attention to any new symptoms that may arise during your headache, such as nausea or vomiting as these could be signs of something more serious. It is important to remember that everyone's pain threshold is different so what may seem like a mild headache for one person could be severe for another so it is important to pay attention to your body and seek medical attention if needed. In conclusion it is important to pay attention to any new symptoms that arise during your headache, especially if it has been going on for days or weeks as this could be a sign of something more serious than just a regular headache. If you experience any dizziness, vision problems, difficulty speaking or loss of balance then it is important to seek medical attention immediately as these could be signs of stroke or meningitis.

Debora Lehneis
Debora Lehneis

Award-winning food advocate. Subtly charming bacon practitioner. Alcohol enthusiast. Proud travel aficionado. Incurable twitter scholar.

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