When Should I See a Doctor About My Headaches?

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Usually, a headache is just a minor nuisance. But some headaches are more serious.

You should make sure you’re familiar with the red flags for headaches that require medical attention. These symptoms can indicate brain injury or disease.

Here’s how to recognize different types of headaches and when to see a doctor for a headache.

What Is a Headache?

Simply put, a headache is any pain in your head. Most headaches are mild and go away with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief and rest.

But sudden onset headaches and their causes can signal a serious medical problem and need medical attention.

What Causes Headaches?

You might get a headache for many different reasons. These can include:

• Caffeine withdrawal.
• Changes in altitude.
• Dehydration.
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• Eating processed foods or aged cheese.
• Having a cold, flu, or infection.
• Head or brain injury.
• Hormone fluctuation (during your period or menopause).
• Not eating regularly.
• Poor posture.
• Poor sleep.
• Problems with eyesight.
• Stress.

This may seem counterintuitive, but the brain itself doesn’t feel pain. Most headaches happen when nerve endings respond to signals elsewhere in your body. They send pain messages to the brain, so it feels like the pain is coming from your head.

What are the Types of Headaches?

Headaches happen to most people at some point in their lives. They’re one of the most common reasons people see a doctor.

But there are differences between tension, migraine, and cluster headaches. It’s important to tell them apart and to know when you need medical attention for headaches.

Here are some of the most common types of headaches.

Tension headaches

A tension headache is the most frequent type of headache. Almost everyone experiences a tension headache now and then.

The pain from a tension headache is usually on both sides of your head. These headaches can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days and may feel like a belt tightening around your head.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches aren’t as common as tension headaches. The pain is usually intense and often centers behind one eye. These headaches tend to occur in groups, or “clusters,” and can last up to three hours.

Other symptoms of cluster headaches include a runny nose and a watery eye.

Migraine headaches

Migraines are severe headaches that usually occur with throbbing pain on one side of your head. They may last for several hours or even days.

Migraines tend to occur with other symptoms, either before or during an attack, and worsen with physical activity. Symptoms of migraine include:

• Changes in vision, including flashes of light, blind spots, or seeing an “aura.”
• Nausea.
• Problems with speech.
• Sensitivity to light and/or noise.
• Tingling in your arms or legs.
• Vomiting.

Infection-related headaches

Many people get headaches along with colds, flu, or sinus infections. 

Sinus infection-related headache symptoms include dull pain and pressure behind your eyes, forehead, or the top of your nose. The pain and pressure of sinus headaches may get worse when you bend over.

Other types of infections, like ear and bronchial infections, can also lead to headaches.

Headaches related to more serious infections like meningitis and encephalitis require immediate medical care. These headaches are severe and come on rapidly.

Headaches after brain injury

When you have a brain injury like a concussion, you may have headaches with neurological symptoms like forgetfulness or confusion. After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you may have small pools of blood or fluid inside your skull. These headaches can occur for weeks or months after the initial injury.

Headaches caused by neurological disorders

You may have symptoms of neurological disorders causing headaches. Doctors call these “secondary headaches” because the main cause is another condition. You may have a headache that results from:

• Brain tumor.
• Blood vessel disorders in the brain.
• High blood pressure.
• Seizures.
• Stroke.
• Substance misuse or withdrawal.

Neuropathy headaches

Nerve damage can also cause certain types of headaches. One is trigeminal neuralgia, which affects the nerves in the face and occurs with sudden, stabbing facial pain.

Another is occipital neuralgia, which affects the occipital nerves that run from the spinal cord through the scalp. The neurological symptoms associated with this headache include sharp, burning pain that starts in the back of the head and neck and spreads upward.

When Should I Call My Doctor About a Headache?

Though most headaches are merely annoying, it’s important to recognize the warning signs of serious headaches and call your doctor.

Some headache warning signs that signal a more serious condition are:

• A headache that lasts for weeks, getting worse and worse.
• A headache that wakes you from sleep.
• A morning headache with nausea.
• A severe headache that comes on suddenly.

Go to the nearest emergency department (ED) if you have a headache with any of the following:

• Blurred or double vision.
• Confusion.
• Fever.
• Head injury.
• Loss of balance.
• Personality changes.
• Seizure.
• Stiff neck.
• Vomiting.

How Are Headaches Treated?

Simple lifestyle changes can help you treat mild headaches. But for sudden onset or severe headaches, you should call your doctor.

How can I relieve a headache?

To get relief from mild headaches at home, you should:

• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid staring at a computer or other screens.
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
• Eat regular meals.
• Rest, especially if you have the flu, a cold, or another infection.
• Take OTC pain relief medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
• Try stress management techniques.

How do doctors treat headaches?

Your doctor can evaluate your headache, make health decisions, and offer treatment. Headache treatment options may include:

• Behavioral therapy — Relaxation training, meditation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may help some people.
• Complementary treatments — Many people find relief from massage therapy, biofeedback, and acupuncture.
• Keeping a headache journal — Knowing when headaches happen and how long they last can help pinpoint their cause. Keeping track of foods, smells, or activities before headaches occur can help you avoid triggers.
• Medicine — Headache medication includes anticonvulsants, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antidepressants.
• Oxygen therapy — Breathing pure oxygen through a mask can help with cluster headaches.
• Physical therapy — A headache treatment plan may include gentle exercise.