When to see a doctor if you have a headache?

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Most headaches are not a serious health problem, but this does not mean that you will not have to consult a doctor when it occurs.

Tension headache. This is the most common type of headache found in humans. The sensations can be very painful, but they are usually not incapacitating and can be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers. A feature of such pains may be their ability to intensify during stress. In rare cases, tension headache becomes chronic.

Migraine.Unlike the previous variety, it leads to incapacitation. In addition to a severe headache, a person suffering from a migraine may also feel increased sensitivity to light and sound, suffer from nausea, and vomiting. Over-the-counter pain relievers may not help. Migraine recurrences are both very rare and frequent.

Cluster headache.This is a rarer type of headache – but also stronger, painful in its manifestation. As in the case of migraine, it cannot be treated with over-the-counter drugs, but it has a difference – it does not provoke nausea and vomiting.

Migraines are more common in women, cluster headaches are more common in men.

Why does the head ache? Common causes are dehydration and low blood sugar. Taking water and food in such circumstances acts as medicine.

In more rare cases, a headache can be a sign of a serious illness. As a rule, in this case, not only it, but also other symptoms indicating pathology are manifested. For example, a person with meningitis can have a severe headache, and in addition to it – neck stiffness (stiffness), fever.

When should you consult a doctor if you have a headache? In an interview with Prevention, experts list the following cases that require a visit to a medical facility.

• A person begins to take over-the-counter drugs more often or in higher doses.
• Headache interferes with coping with everyday activities.
• The painful sensation becomes stronger over time.
• Headache is accompanied by other neurological conditions – for example, convulsions, muscle spasm.
• In addition headache, muscle weakness, numbness of the limbs, changes in speech and vision occur. This can be a sign of a stroke or brain tumor.
• The pain is very strong, sharp and causes other neurological problems. The cause may be bleeding in the brain due to rupture of a blood vessel, aneurysm.
• Pain is constantly felt after hitting the head or getting into a road accident.