Mental Health 1: Headaches That Require Emergency Attention

What is a Headache?

Headache is defined as a pain arising from the head or upper neck of the body. The pain originates from the tissues and structures that surround the skull or the brain because the brain itself has no nerves that give rise to the sensation of pain (pain fibers). The thin layer of tissue (periosteum) that surrounds bones, muscles that encase the skull, sinuses, eyes, and ears, as well as thin tissues that cover the surface of the brain and spinal cord (meninges), arteries, veins, and nerves, all can become inflamed or irritated and cause headache. The pain may be a dull ache, sharp, throbbing, constant, intermittent, mild, or intense.

Headaches can occur as a result of many conditions whether serious or not. There are a number of different classification systems for headaches. Causes of headaches may include fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress, the effects of medications, the effects of recreational drugs, viral infections, loud noises, common colds, head injury, rapid ingestion of a very cold food or beverage, and dental or sinus issues.

Is it just a headache?

Although a bad migraine might make you wish for the end of everything, headaches are not usually life threatening. However, a severe headache can signal something much more serious, requiring emergency attention such as stroke, aneurysm, and meningitis. These are not terribly common, but it's worth watching for a headache that feels markedly different from normal—even if normal is agonizing. Here are three signs to watch for;

Neck pain and fever

A stiff neck and fever could be a sign of meningitis; an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the central nervous system, which can quickly become critical.

Nausea

Severe nausea or vomiting and any neuro-deficit (such as difficulty speaking or walking), which could be signs of a hemorrhagic stroke

The worst headache ever

"The thing we're taught to look for is someone claiming to have 'the worst headache of their life,'" says an MD, an ER specialist. "It may mean that they have an aneurysm in the brain that has begun to leak a little blood, but could turn into a catastrophic full bleed. And that can be life threatening."

See a doctor

If you go to the emergency room, expect the doctors to perform a CT scan, which can reveal a bigger problem. Those with migraine headaches often have a treatment plan that will allow treatment at home. Prescription medications are available to abort or stop the headache. Other medications are available to treat the nausea and vomiting. Most patients with migraine headaches get much relief after resting in a dark room and falling asleep.

Curated from: 

Health.com

MedicineNet

Wikipedia

REFERENCES:

• Schurks, M. Current Pain Headache Report, April 2008; vol 12: pp 115-21.
• Mukamal, K. Neurology. March 10, 2009; vol 72(10): pp 922–927.
• American Headache Society: "Headache Hygiene - What Is It?" 
• NHS: "10 surprising headache triggers."
• Wikipedia: "Headaches"

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