Two signs your headache could be something more serious – neurologist warns risk of bleed, tumour or aneurysm
FROM stress at work or a heavy night out to too much coffee, there are endless everyday triggers for a pounding headache.
But sometimes the cause of your head pain might be far more serious, two experts have warned.
“If a headache suddenly feels different, such as thunderclap headache, or it’s lasting longer [than usual] it could be of something serious like a bleed or tumour or aneurysm,” Neurologist Dr Baibing Chen said in a video on his Instagram.
Named after the weather phenomenon, thunderclap headaches are sudden agonising pains that feel similar to being hit in the head.
They typically result in “blinding pain unlike anything experienced before” according to the NHS.
This is considered a medical emergency, and the health service advises sufferers to call 999 or get to A&E.
Abbas Kanani, from Online Pharmacy Chemist Click, previously told Sun Health: “Generally, most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of a serious condition.
“However, if you notice that your headache keeps returning and painkillers do not help and your headache worsens, it should be checked by a GP.”
It is also vital to see a doctor if your headache is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Pain when exposed to light or noise
You should make an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if you see any of these:
- Jaw pain when eating
- Blurred or double vision
- A sore scalp
- Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
And you must call 999 if your headache is sudden or extreme and follows a head injury.
What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a weak area of a blood vessel.
In most cases, it doesn’t cause any extreme symptoms.
But aneurysms are incredibly serious if they rupture, or burst.
It can result in a subarachnoid haemorrhage, where bleeding on the brain can cause extensive brain damage.
Abbas said that beyond a headache, an aneurysm can also trigger a change in your vision.
“An unruptured aneurysm may cause visual disturbances, such as loss of vision or double vision,” he said.
“Pain above or around your eye, headaches, numbness or weakness on one side of your face and difficulty speaking,” he added.
“You may also suddenly feel the need to be sick.”
Headaches can be linked to brain tumours
Headaches can hint at a brain tumour, so if they’re new or happening more often, it’s worth a trip to the GP.
In fact, about half of all people diagnosed with a brain tumour report headaches as being one of the first symptoms they notice, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
While most headaches won’t mean you have a tumour, it is important to know when it might be one.
As well as headaches, they can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS.
They can also lead to changes in personality, weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, and problems with speech or vision.
Do I need to see a doctor about my headache?
IF you answer 'yes' to any of the following questions, you should make an urgent appointment with your GP:
- Does your headache keep returning?
- Are painkillers not helping?
- Is your headache worsening over time?
- Are you also vomiting, experiencing pain when exposed to light or noise, or have a throbbing pain at the front or side of your head?
- Do you get pain in your jaw when you eat?
- Are you experiencing blurred or double vision?
- Is your scalp sore?
- Do you have weakness or numbness in your arms or legs?
If any of these statements apply, call 999:
- My headache is sudden or extreme
- My headache follows a head injury
- My child also has sudden problems speaking or remembering things, swallowing, balancing, walking, loss of vision, drowsiness, confusion, a persistent lack of energy, and a very high temperature following a head injury