We have all suffered from headaches from time to time. The normal solution would be to take a panadol, get some sleep or simply just wait until it ceases, but how can we tell if that pain is actually a sign of something that could be more than just a once-in-a-while type headache? Most headaches are reportedly caused by stress and tension but there are other triggers that can actually be life threatening. Infection, bleeding and a brain mass such as a tumour could all be deadly reasons for your headache. How can we tell if it is an ‘alarming headache’? According to Neurologist, Dr. David Thaler, headaches, which are unusual to that partcular patient, are ones to look out for e.g. someone who normally suffers from morning headaches suddenly experiencing them at night. Regular headache sufferers of headaches should note the pattern in which they appear and always consult Medical help if they notice anything unusual. A change in the quality of headache suffered by someone who experiences headaches regularly is definitely a sign that they should immediately contact their physician. Headaches to be wary of also include other changes such as: – weakness on one side of your body – nausea and vomiting – sensitivity to light – blurred vision – slurred speech and a brief loss of consciousness which could also indicate a stroke. – Weight loss – Change in mental status including sleepiness, confusion and hallucinations – Fevers especially if they appear suddenly – A change in the quality of headache If there is ever any doubt about a dangerous headache, your physician should be contacted and if any of the above symptoms accompany a headache it should be further evaluated usually with an MRI scan or EEG (electroencephalogram). These are ways of checking for any serious problems such as bleeding or a tumour in the spacing around the brain.
Our doctors at Chiropractic Dubai assess the condition thoroughly and dig for the cause of a headache or migraine, in order for us to make sure the patient receives the correct treatment, it’s essential, and this is where we’d typically recognise the red flags of a dangerous headache, and determine a course of treatment or refer you to a specialist.