Headaches

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Sudden, severe pain and is the worst headache you have ever had
• Confusion or change in behavior
• Change in level of consciousness
• Sudden loss of function in one part or all of one side of your body
• Sudden vision change, such as dimness, blurring, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes (unless this is routine with your migraine headaches)
• Sudden, persistent difficulty speaking or difficulty understanding speech
• Seizure. (Protect the victim from harm during the seizure.)
• Severe dehydration
• A severe headache that starts during strenuous physical or sexual activity (exertional headache)

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• A headache develops after a head injury: Go to the topic:
  • Head Injury, Age 4 and Older.
  • Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• A seizure: Go to the topic Seizures.
• A fever: Go to the topic:
  • Fever, Age 4 and Older.
  • Fever, Age 3 and Younger.
• Facial pain: Go to the topic Facial Problems, Noninjury.
• A headache and you are pregnant: Go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.

Yes	Do you have a headache with a severe stiff neck or a fever?
Yes	Did you have a headache with any loss of function, but all loss of function symptoms are now gone?
Yes	Do you have a headache with a change in your level of consciousness?
Yes	Do you have a headache with a vision change?
Yes	Does your child have a headache?
Yes	Has a headache awakened you from sleep?
Yes	Do you have a headache with nausea and vomiting?
Yes	Is your headache caused or made worse by activity?
Yes	Do you think your headache may be caused by abuse?
Yes	Has your headache continued after using home treatment and prescription or nonprescription medicine?
Yes	Do you think your headache may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Have you had a change in the usual pattern of your headaches?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 12, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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