Saint Vincent Hospital Advices When to Seek Medical Care for Extreme Headaches

June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month

WORCESTER, Mass. – When a headache strikes, most people will reach for an aspirin or Motrin and take a nap. However, headaches can be much more complex than we think. A headache that’s recurring or too severe may make you wonder whether you should see a doctor. A doctor's visit may not be necessary if your headache goes away on its own or with rest or self-care. Yet if it’s so debilitating that it disrupts your daily activities, it may be caused by other underlying conditions that require a thorough evaluation from a neurologist.

June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month, with headaches and migraines being among the most common disorders of the human nervous system. They affect one in every six adults in the US. Headaches usually occur on both sides of the head as well as the forehead, temples and nape. “The ache can range from mild to severe and can be triggered by stress, anxiety, eyestrain and muscle strain. On the other hand, migraine is characterized by symptoms aside from headache, such as nausea, vomiting, trouble tolerating bright lights or loud sounds, and colorful or black-and-white zig-zag patterns in the vision called 'auras',” says Dr. Anthony Izzo, Neurologist with Saint Vincent Hospital.

Dr. Izzo advises that if your headache becomes too severe or too frequent to bear, it may be time to see a primary care doctor. You may be referred to a neurologist if your headache doesn’t improve with initial treatment. A neurologist specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles.

Seek medical help immediately for any of the following:

• This is the first time you have had a headache this painful, and it disrupts your daily activities.
• Your headache suddenly comes on an explosive or violent pain. This is an emergency condition that may be caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain. Call 911 right away or go to an emergency room near you.
• Your headache worsens over 24 hours.
• Your headache happens with a head injury.
• You have a severe headache behind an eye with redness in that eye.
• You have a history of immune system disorder or cancer and start to develop a new headache.
• You experience any of the following along with your headache:
  • Balance loss
  • Confusion
  • Fever
  • Memory loss
  • Nausea
  • Problems moving your limbs
  • Slurred speech
  • Stiff neck
  • Vision changes
  • Vomiting

If possible, take note of the following details so you may mention them to your doctor during your appointment:

• When your headaches occur
• Whether noise or light bothers you during headaches
• How much you slept before your headaches
• Whether you experience vision changes before or during headaches
• Food or drink you consumed in the last 24 hours before your headache
• Any activities you’ve been doing before your headache started
• Any weather changes at the time of your headaches
• Any previous headache diagnosis or treatments you’ve tried

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and other medications to relieve your headache. If they don’t work, you may be given prescription medications. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions about properly taking these medicines, as overusing them may result in a medication-overuse headache.

“Your doctor may recommend lifestyle and diet as treatments, such as exercising regularly, eliminating foods that trigger headaches, using relaxation techniques and managing stress,” says Dr. Izzo. “If there is little to no improvement to your headache despite these treatments, you may be referred to a neurologist who will perform neurological examinations to rule out or identify other conditions that may be causing your headache.”

Don’t wait to call for a doctor’s appointment if you’re suffering from a debilitating headache or if you experience other symptoms along with it, urges Dr. Izzo. See a doctor as soon as possible.

If you have a sudden, severe headache or if your headache is accompanied by a high fever, vomiting, confusion, slurred speech, neck stiffness or changes in your vision, call 911 for an ambulance or go to your local hospital emergency department.

To learn more about headaches and treatments, visit here.