Mostheadachesare not a cause for alarm or unnecessary worry.
Other scenarios like a newheadache in pregnancyor a headache changing in pattern also warrant further investigation.
This article explains some of the key headache symptoms that should alert you to seek medical attention.
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
It also provides an overview ofheadache typesand basic treatment and preventive strategies.
Most secondary headaches are not serious or dangerous, except in rare instances.
These are conditions for which you should seek out a medical opinion urgently or get emergency medical help.
Stroke
Astrokedevelops when blood flow to the brain is cut off.
A common example of a hemorrhagic stroke is asubarachnoid hemorrhage.
A headache from a brain tumor may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Brain Injury
A headache may occur within days after atraumatic brain injury, such as aconcussion.
Primary Headaches
Most primary headaches can be treated with a combination of medication and home remedies.
Soaking in a warm bath or drinking a caffeinated beverage may also be helpful.
Likewise, mild to moderate migraines are often treated with NSAIDs.
For those who cannot tolerate triptans, Reyvow (lasmiditan) may be tried.
Talk With Your Doctor
Before taking any medication for your headache, talk with your healthcare professional.
Secondary Headaches
The treatment of secondary headaches requires addressing the underlying condition.
For example, a sinus headache may be treated with OTC pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Your doctor may also recommendsaline nasal spraysand/or acorticosteroid nasal sprayto reduce sinus inflammation.
In rare cases of bacterial sinusitis, an antibiotic may be prescribed.
Prevention
As with treatment, prevention depends on the key in and severity of the headache.
Lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies can help prevent primary headaches.
For patients with cluster headaches, a preventive medication, likeverapamil, may be advised.
Adopting certain lifestyle behaviors like smoking cessation is also usually recommended.
Depending on the underlying cause, certain types of secondary headaches may be prevented.
Likewise, a post-traumatic headache may be prevented by wearing a helmet during potentially high-impact sports or recreational activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Headaches in the morning have multiple possible causes.
They may be a primary headache like a migraine or tension-punch in headache.
They may also arise from a hangover, caffeine withdrawal, or an underlying health problem like sleep apnea.
A tension headache (also called a tension-throw in headache) is the most common form of headache.
There are different descriptions of headaches reported in patients with COVID-19.
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