Most often people prefer to treat their headaches at home. As long as it is just a rare occasion and there is no significant underlying cause to worry about the decision may turn out alright.
Nonetheless, such may not be the case always. Many a times a headache might just be the warning sign of something severe, something life threatening for example meningitis, stroke or encephalitis.
When to make a visit to the emergency?
Sometimes you might be required to immediately visit the casualty of the nearest hospital or dial the emergency number. Such a need shall arrive if you are having a sudden and too intense headache or the headache is accompanied by any of the following warning signs and symptoms.
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Difficulty in comprehending speech
- Difficulty in walking
- Dizziness or fainting
- High grade fever (temperature is more than 102 F)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Numbness, tingling, weakness or paralysis on half side of the body (hemiparesis or hemiplegia)
- Slurred speech
- Stiffness in the neck
When to fix an appointment to the doctor
At times the signs and symptoms may not indicate an immediate threat but still mandate an appointment with the doctor. If you have any of the following warning signs and symptoms it’s time to take that appointment
- No improvement even after the over-the-counter painkillers. Sometimes it may even deteriorate after medication
- Starts interfering with your routine activities, sleep or work
- The headaches are too frequent than usual
- There is an increase in the headaches severity from before
When to See a Doctor in #Headache?
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— Zigverve.com (@zigverve) November 6, 2015
Suggested reading
1. Headache – definition and causes
