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Top 4 Types of Headaches That Signal a Dangerous Problem

 
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Ordinary headaches are part of the normal human experience. However, a headache that is severe, persistent or associated with other symptoms such as vomiting and confusion is a warning signal to a dangerous problem.

“Worst Headache of Your Life”

Pain in the head or upper neck is one of common locations of pain in the body and is attributed to many causes. The “worst headache of your life” is a term found in medical textbooks to describe the pain associated with a subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. The headache occurs while the person is lying still and is associated with a stiff neck, difficulty tolerating light in a room, vomiting and confusion. Usually the first headache is a warning sign. The initial subarachnoid hemorrhage is not fatal. If immediate medical attention is sought, the aneurysm can be detected and surgically repaired. If the symptom is ignored, the next bleed can be catastrophic.

Headaches That are Worse in the Morning

A headache that is worse in the morning, improves after the person vomits, gradually improves as the day progresses and worsens with coughing, exercise, bending or kneeling is a common symptom of a brain tumor. This type of headache does not respond to usual headache remedies. However, Casilda Balmaceda, M.D., an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, states that only about eight percent of all patients with a brain tumor have headache as the first and only symptom. She points out that most brain tumors manifest with other symptoms such as altered mental status and seizures. Metastatic brain tumors are more frequently associated with the symptom of a headache than primary brain tumors. Other symptoms of a brain tumor often mimic other conditions. It is important to seek medical evaluation if you experience this type of headache or other symptoms that are unusual for you.

Severe Headache of Sudden Onset

A headache that occurs suddenly, is severe and appears to have no known cause is a reason for concern. If it is associated with sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg and only one side of the body is affected, this is a warning sign of a stroke. Additional symptoms of a stroke include sudden onset of confusion, trouble speaking and understanding, difficultly seeing in one or both eyes, trouble walking, dizziness, and loss of balance. A person who experiences these symptoms must seek immediate emergency medical attention.

Severe Headache with Stiff Neck and Fever

A severe headache that is associated with a stiff neck, high fever, nausea and vomiting warns of meningitis. Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Additional symptoms of meningitis are confusion, seizures, sleepiness, sensitivity to light, loss of appetite, and in some cases, a skin rash. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Add a Comment15 Comments

Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

Call and schedule an appointment with your physician. These symptoms should not be overlooked.

Regards,
Maryann

January 26, 2015 - 9:37am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Maryann Gromisch RN)

Thank you for the advice. I made an appointment to get checked next week. They have gotten worse and the pain is more severe. So my husband made an appointment for me.

January 26, 2015 - 10:51am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My daughter is 15 started having daily head pain that never goes away. Three months into it she started cycle vomiting and had to be put on a feeding tube. We sought out a sports doctor as she is an athlete and he said she had suffered a concussion with her atlas out of align. The neurologist acts like I'm a mental patient when I bring it up. She got into hyper baric chamber and it helped her to stop throwing up. We changed her mode of treatment head pain increased and vomiting started back. She is now on a picc line and being feed nutrients that way. Some new meds they put her on made her now have the shakes. Does anyone out there have similar issues. Does this sound like post concussive syndrome to anyone?

November 18, 2012 - 11:31am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Hi dear ive been vommiting 3 weeks in a row with top of head headaches i dont know what it is vut i know i need to get it checked out. Whsat do u think it is? It throbes, and feels cold sometimes & just rotates ontop of my head in diffrent places. I cant sleep either sometimes help

May 23, 2016 - 6:59pm
Guide

Hello Anonymous,

A persistent headache needs to be evaluated by a physician. It could be as simple as eye strain or something more, like sinusitis. Since you have been having this headache for a month or more, you should consult your doctor.

Maryann

November 13, 2012 - 6:38pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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