'RED FLAG' HEADACHES, AND WHAT THEY MIGHT MEAN

Edited by, JASPER VICTORIA

Either regularly or occasionally most of us experience headache from varying etiological routes. Though most of the headaches resolve by either mind diversion, rest or other usual practices including the consumption of a pain killer medication and does not require hospitalisation and much medical and pharmaceutical care,  certain headaches might appear as signs / symptoms indicating a debilitating condition that needs medical care immediately.

THE FOLLOWING ARE CERTAIN HEADACHES THAT APPEAR AS 'RED FLAGS' AND REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE,

1) First and worst headache / Thunderclap headache - Sub arachnoid haemorrhage

2) Headache accompanied by fever and stiffness of the neck - Meningitis

3) Cough initiated headache - Venous thrombosis, Increased intracranial pressure

4) Unilateral headache accompanied by Eye pain - Acute glaucoma, Cluster headache

5) Headaches worsening in the morning or when bent forward - Increased intracranial pressure / Venous thrombosis

6) Persisting headache in people over the age of 50 with or without tenderness of scalp -  Giant cell arteritis

7) Unilateral headaches with ipsilateral symptoms, i.e., affecting the same side - Tumour, Migraine, vascular abnormalities

8) Decrease in level of consciousness

9) Changes in the usual pattern of headaches