Nearly everyone experiences headache pain at one time or another in their lives. The headache is usually the most severe part of the disorder. Sometimes, however, the headache may be a sign of a serious underlying condition. If you want to avoid serious health consequences, it is important to know how to identify headaches that may be symptoms of other conditions.
Headaches Types
There are two types of headaches: primary and secondary. The primary category includes common headaches like migraine or tension-type. Secondary headaches can develop from other medical conditions or diseases. A person might have a headache-producing infection. In this instance, the headache is secondary to the infection.
Secondary headaches can be caused by certain diseases, infections, brain tumors, or other health issues. Although most headaches are not a sign of serious health issues, some may be signs that you need immediate medical attention.
Keep in Mind
A headache is normal if it happens once in a while when you are stressed. If you experience headaches more than once per week, it is normal. A doctor should be consulted to determine the cause. You may have a more serious condition if your headaches are getting worse over time, or if you are older than 50 and just starting to get headaches again.
Other symptoms than the severity or frequency of the headaches can indicate underlying health issues. A headache can be accompanied by a stiff neck, seizures or double vision, as well as speech difficulties, fever, mental confusion, and rash. You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience a sudden headache or if it occurs after an injury or fall. If you feel like you are taking pain medication almost every day, it is a sign that something is wrong.
Migraine Headache
Migraine headache pain is usually one-sided. However, if you feel your migraines on one side of the head, rather than switching sides every so often, it could be a sign of a brain tumor. Brain tumors can cause one-sided headaches, as well as loss of sensation and function on one side. Brain tumors can also cause one sided vision problems, balance or equilibrium problems, as well as other unilateral symptoms. These symptoms should be reported immediately to a doctor.