When to worry about a Headache?

The pain is sudden and very intense.

The pain appears for the first time in an elderly person that has not suffered it previously.

The pain wakes you up during the night.

The pain prevents carrying out any usual activity such as going to work or school.

It is the first headache that you have had in your life that interferes with activities.

The headache is “the worst ever suffered”, even if you have had them regularly.

The headaches have got worse compared to previous episodes and are not controlled.

There are new neurological symptoms like poor pronunciation, changes in vision, problems in moving arms and legs, loss of equilibrium, confusion, or loss of memory.

There is fever, stiffness of the neck, nausea and vomiting.

The headache is present due to a skull injury.

The headache is intense and only in one eye with redness in this eye.

The headaches are associated with vision problems, weakness in chewing, morning weakness, weight loss, or anaemia.

You have a history of cancer or problems of the immune system (such as HIV /AIDS) and have a new headache.