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When to Call the Doctor About Your Migraines or Headaches

Any kind of pain is your body's way of warning you about an injury or illness. Although migraines and headaches are rarely the symptoms of a serious illness, occasionally they may indicate a serious medical condition such as a tumor or aneurysm (blood vessel rupture). It is important for you to become familiar with your personal headache symptoms, and those that require immediate medical attention.

If you or a loved one has any of the following headache symptoms seek medical care immediately:

Recommended Related to Migraines/Headaches

Ocular Migraine Treatment

Since it is brief, the vision loss of ocular migraines is not usually treated. But you may need relief for the headache that accompanies or follows it. The primary treatment for ocular migraines is to reduce exposure to triggers. Calcium-channel blockers are the main drug treatment for ocular migraines. They work by relaxing the blood vessels. One example is Cardene, which can be given as a pill or as a tab you put under the tongue. There is some evidence that nitroglycerin or Diamox may also h...

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A sudden, new severe headache
A headache that is associated with neurological (nerve) symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, sudden loss of balance or falling, numbness or tingling, paralysis, speech difficulties, mental confusion, seizures, personality changes/inappropriate behavior, or vision changes (blurry vision, double vision, or blind spots)
Headache with a fever, shortness of breath, stiff neck, or rash
Headache pain that awakens you at night
Headaches with severe nausea and vomiting
Headaches that occur after a head injury or accident
Getting a new type of headache after age 55

The following migraine or headache symptoms do not require urgent care, but you should contact your doctor if you, or your loved one, have any of these symptoms.

Have three or more headaches per week
Have headaches that keep getting worse and won't go away
Need to take a pain reliever every day or almost every day for your headaches
Need more than two to three doses of over-the-counter medications per week to relieve headache symptoms
Have headaches that are triggered by exertion, coughing, bending, or strenuous activity
Have a history of headaches, but have noticed a recent change in your headache symptoms

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on April 19, 2012