When to See a Professional

Although very few headaches signal the presence of a serious underlying medical condition, they may be a symptom that something else is wrong. Using this chart to check off any of the conditions that apply to you. If you have any checks, you should call your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

If any of the following items apply to you, or if you have any questions about your headaches, call your physician or healthcare professional at once.

	Your headache gets worse instead of better or has changed in character
	You experience three or more headaches a week
	You must take a pain reliever every day or almost daily to relieve your headache symptoms
	Your headache is accompanied by any of these symptoms: stiff neck and/or fever shortness of breath unexpected symptoms that affect your eyes, ears, nose, or throat dizziness, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or tingling confusion or drowsiness persistent or severe vomiting
	Your headaches begin after or are triggered by head injury, exertion, coughing, bending, or sexual activity
	Your headaches began after you reached the age of 50

Sometimes severe pain can be a sign of a more serious health condition than migraine. Some of the symptoms that precede the onset of a migraine include changes in vision, weakness in an arm and/or leg on one side of body, numbness in the same areas or trouble expressing oneself.