FROM stress and a lack of sleep to too much coffee, there are numerous everyday triggers for a headache.
But sometimes the cause of your head pain might be far more serious, a pharmacist has warned.
While many people don’t think twice about popping a couple of paracetamol when the throbbing sensation strikes, an agonising headache can also indicate a number of potentially life-threatening conditions.
It’s therefore vital not to dismiss one too quickly, according to Abbas Kanani.
Instead, sufferers should assess whether they have any accompanying symptoms, how bad the pain is, and whether they have recently injured themselves – and then take the appropriate action.
Abbas, from Online Pharmacy Chemist Click, said: “Generally, most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of a serious condition.
“However, if you notice that your headache keeps returning and painkillers do not help and your headache worsens, it should be checked by a GP.”
It is also vital to see a doctor if your headache is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Pain when exposed to light or noise
Throbbing pain at the front or side of your head
You should make an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if you see any of these:
Jaw pain when eating
Blurred or double vision
A sore scalp
Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
And you must call 999 if your headache is sudden or extreme and follows a head injury.
Abbas said: “You should speak to a doctor if you have a headache and feel sick, vomit and find light or noise painful or you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head.
“A severe headache accompanied with jaw pain when eating, blurred or double vision, a sore scalp or other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs is considered an urgent medical matter and you should seek an urgent appointment or call 111.
“You should call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have a head injury and have a headache that came on suddenly and is extremely painful.
“You should do this if you or your child has an extremely painful headache accompanied with sudden problems speaking or remembering things, loss of vision, feel drowsy or confused, has a very high temperature and symptoms of meningitis and the white part of the eye is red.
“Also call 999 or go to A&E if your child is under 12 and has a headache with vision problems or difficulty speaking, swallowing, balancing or walking, a headache with drowsiness or a persistent lack of energy or a headache that starts within five days of a head injury.”
Do I need to see a doctor about my headache?
IF you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, you should make an urgent appointment with your GP:
Does your headache keep returning?
Are painkillers not helping?
Is your headache worsening over time?
Are you also vomiting, experiencing pain when exposed to light or noise, or have a throbbing pain at the front or side of your head?
Do you get pain in your jaw when you eat?
Are you experiencing blurred or double vision?
Is your scalp sore?
Do you have weakness or numbness in your arms or legs?
If any of these statements apply, call 999:
My headache is sudden or extreme
My headache follows a head injury
My child also has sudden problems speaking or remembering things, swallowing, balancing, walking, loss of vision, drowsiness, confusion, a persistent lack of energy, and a very high temperature following a head injury
Severe headaches can suggest pressure is being placed on the brain because of bleeding, blood clots or a build-up of fluid.
This can sometimes lead to brain damage, which can be temporary or permanent, the NHS warns.
But head pain can also be a symptom of several potentially more conditions, from a stroke to a brain tumour. Here are five examples.
Acute sinusitis
A “sinus headache” and “pressure-like pain” behind the eyes, toothache, or a tenderness of the face could indicate acute sinusitis, Abbas warned.
This is where the small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead become swollen, usually caused by an infection.
“The headache causes pain, pressure and fullness in the cheeks, brow or forehead, can worsen if you bend forward or lie down and an achy feeling in the upper teeth,” he said.
Other symptoms include a blocked nose, a reduced sense of smell and green or yellow mucus in the nose.
Acute sinusitis is usually mild and clears up on its own within two to three weeks.
But it can make sufferers feel miserable, and become chronic – so it’s worth speaking to an expert. You do not, however, need to call 999.
Brain aneurysm
A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a weak area of a blood vessel.
In most cases, it doesn’t cause any extreme symptoms. But aneurysms are incredibly serious if they rupture, or burst.
It can result in a subarachnoid haemorrhage, where bleeding can cause extensive brain damage.
A key sign this might be about to happen? A headache.
“Headaches or changes in your vision can be a symptom of a brain aneurysm,” Abbas said.
“An unruptured aneurysm may cause visual disturbances, such as loss of vision or double vision
“Pain above or around your eye, headaches, numbness or weakness on one side of your face and difficulty speaking.
“You should see a GP as soon as possible if you experience symptoms of an unruptured brain aneurysm.”
He added: “A sudden agonising headache can be a sign of ruptured brain aneurysm and is likened to being hit on the head which results in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before.
“You may also suddenly feel the need to be sick.
“A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency. Call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.”
Stroke
Most strokes are identified by symptoms in the FAST test:
Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.
Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.
“However, occasionally a stroke can cause different symptoms such as a sudden loss or blurring of vision, being or feeling sick or a sudden and very severe headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before,” Abbas said.
This kind of headache can come on within minutes, and is sometimes mistaken for a hangover.
“Head pain can take place on the side of the brain where the clot blocks blood flow and is often felt in the eyes or on the side of the head,” the pharmacist added.
“The headache usually happens with other stroke symptoms such as weakness, numbness, dizziness and slurred speech.”
Stroke patients may also experience headaches as a side effect of medication.
“You should visit your GP if you think that a medication may be causing your headaches,” Abbas said.
“Headaches should lessen over time and are usually controlled by painkillers such as paracetamol until they do.
“You should seek medical attention urgently if you have a persistent headache, and if you have any of the signs of a stroke call 999.”
Meningitis
A headache is also one of the key symptoms of meningitis – inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
It can be very serious if not treated quickly, so it’s important to seek medical help if you think you might have the condition.
Abbas said: “Inflammation from meningitis typically causes symptoms such as headache, a stiff neck and fever.
“You may also experience drowsiness or unresponsiveness, sensitivity to bright lights or have a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it, but a rash will not always develop.
“Symptoms of meningitis can develop quickly and you should call 999 or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis.”
Some people with meningitis think they have simply had too much to drink the night before as symptoms overlap with a hangover.
Brain tumour
About half of all people diagnosed with a brain tumour report headaches as being one of the first symptoms they noticed, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
While most headaches won’t mean you have a tumour, it is important to know when it might be one.
As well as headaches, they can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS.
They can also lead to changes in personality, weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, and problems with speech or vision.
If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from ones you normally get, you should visit your GP, the health service says.