6 Signs Your Headache Could Be Something Way Worse

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Nearly everyone gets headaches—from dehydration, allergies or just because you're overworked and overtired. Most are nothing to be worried about, except when they are. Here, doctors give the scoop on your head pain: What it means and how to know if you need medical attention.

Your head is throbbing
It's estimated that around six percent of men and 18 percent of women suffer from migraines. If you happen to fall into that group, you know how painful and debilitating they can be. Though the first time you feel it coming on, you might worry something is terribly wrong, migraine sufferers become experts at the warning signs. Neurologist Isha Gupta, MD, explains, "Severe migraines can be described as intense throbbing or pounding sensations, with sensitivity to light or sound. Other types of severe headaches can be described as sharp stabbing pain in the face or around the eye. Some people have severe tension headache described as a band-like squeezing." Though it's important to talk to your doctor if you continuously experience migraine-like symptoms, they can be managed with medicine and therapy.

You have numbness or slurred speech

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Dr. Gupta says that because of their singular symptom—a headache— aneurysms are often hard to diagnose and catch. However, there are a few indicators that the pain between your eyes or in the back of your head is more than just having one-too-many drinks, and could actually be quite dangerous and life-threatening. The biggest one? Dr. Gupta explains that aneurysms "are sometimes associated with difficulty speaking, slurred speech, difficulty thinking or understanding other people, difficulty moving your arms or legs, numbness or tingling in the body, vision changes, or face drooping." She says that if you notice any of those side effects, it's time to go to the emergency room, ASAP.

You can't concentrate
Concussion awareness is at an all-time high in schools and professional sports. You need to be every bit as cautious and concerned with your own noggin, says Dr. Gupta. Oftentimes, you won't know you have a concussion until you experience post-trauma—you're struggling to concentrate or have sudden memory loss. If this happens, you should seek medical attention and stay awake until you see a professional.

A headache is so bad it wakes you up

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This isn't going to sound good, but one of the toughest cancers to diagnose is brain cancer, according to Dr. Gupta. Because there are many forms of brain cancer, few specific symptoms will tip you off to its presence. As with skin cancer, you're best off watching for abrupt changes for your best clue. She explains that if a headache is so severe that it wakes you up or is specifically really intense only in the mornings, it's worth bringing up with your doctor. "The only way to completely rule out causes of a more serious headache is to see a doctor who will order either a CT scan or MRI of your brain and possibly blood vessels, based on your symptoms," she explains.

If your neck is stiff or you have a fever
With only 20,000 cases in the U.S. each year, meningitis is thankfully rare. This bacterial infection causes a dangerous inflammation of the membranes covering your brain and spinal cord. If your headache is coupled with a high fever and your neck becomes sore, Tania Dempsey, MD, says to see a doctor immediately. While the majority of patients do recover from this illness, it needs to be treated promptly.

Your headache just won't quit

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A stubborn headache might cause you to double-up on pain meds, chug water, and close your eyes, but if the symptoms persist Dr. Dempsey says book an appointment ASAP. Especially if you already struggle with head pain, you not being able to move past the dull sensation may be extra cause for worry. "Someone with a history of headaches who notices a change in the pattern and location of the headache and a lack of response to headache treatments that worked in the past should know that the headache is severe and needs prompt attention," she says.

SOURCE: RD