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Is This Headache Serious?

Probably not, but you should know which symptoms signal trouble

If you’re among the millions of headache-prone Americans, you may be living in pain far too often. Tension and migraine are the most common types of headaches, but there are more than 100 different kinds that can send you scurrying for relief.

The symptoms to worry about

Although life-threatening headaches are rare, there are certain symptoms you should never ignore, says neurologist Peter Barbour, M.D. If you or someone you know develops these symptoms, seek medical attention right away:

Sudden, severe headache— “It’s as though a rubber band broke in your brain or you were whacked on the back of the head with a board,” Barbour says. “People describe these as ‘the most severe headache of my life.’ They may be accompanied by other symptoms typical of a stroke.”

Slow-evolving headache— “Headaches that gradually evolve over weeks or months and are accompanied by weakness in one side of the body or a personality change may signify a tumor,” Barbour says.

Fast-evolving headache—“This type has the same characteristics as a slow-evolving headache but evolves over weeks rather than months. It may indicate a brain infection such as an abscess,” Barbour says.

Change in headache pattern—“If you have frequent headaches and you experience a significant change in the headache—for example, it has a different feel or location—have it evaluated,” Barbour says.

Pinpointing the problem

For sufferers of chronic (ongoing) headaches, a little detective work can help uncover the mystery behind the pain. “If you carefully track your headaches and the factors they’re linked to, we can narrow down the cause more quickly and treat it,” says internist Stacey Smith, M.D. Here’s how:

Keep a headache diary. “Your diagnosis depends on symptoms, and each class of headache has different symptoms,” Smith says. Keeping a record will help your doctor pinpoint the problem.

Examine your emotions. Are you holding onto emotional pain? “Recurring headaches may be related to issues such as depression or anger,” says psychiatrist Edward Norris, M.D. “Talk about it with your physician.”

Look at what’s going on in your life. Periods of unusually high stress can make headaches more likely. “Often, it’s not just one thing but a whole combination,” says gynecologist Helene Leonetti, M.D.

Relieving the pain

The simplest treatment for a common headache is a pain-relieving drug—taken promptly. “The earlier you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, the more effective they are,” Smith says.

See your doctor if you’re having more than two to three headaches a month or they seriously impact your life or work, he says. “Some headaches can be treated with medicine you only take as needed, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). For others, you can take medication every day to prevent them from coming back.”

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“Getting lasting pain relief often calls for a multipronged approach, not a single solution,” Leonetti says. “For example, if you experience headaches as a result of changing hormones or ongoing stress, the best way to reduce your vulnerability is to strengthen your system and restore your body’s balance.” Start with the basics: regular exercise, 7-8 hours of sleep a night, a healthy diet, and meditation or yoga for stress relief. “Avoid aspartame (Nutrasweet) and caffeine, and drink plenty of water,” Leonetti says. “Water alone can prevent headaches.”.

Want to Know More about different types of headaches and medication options? Call 610-402-CARE or click here.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, September-October 2008

This page last updated 8/20/08 06:11 AM