We
all suffer from the occasional headache due to stress or tension. But
what if the headache isn’t simply a passing nuisance that can be tamed
by an over-the-counter pill?
Experts
say that a headache is often the first sign of a serious and even
life-threatening illness. That’s why it’s important to distinguish
normal headache pain from something different.
“Many
of these potentially fatal conditions can be treated successfully with
drugs or surgery if they are caught in time,” Dr. Roger K. Cady,
associate executive chairman n of the National Headache Foundation and
adjunct professor at Missouri State University, tells Newsmax Health.
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“If
the pain and other symptoms are different – unlike anything you have
experienced before – that’s the first clue that it may not be a
garden-variety headache and should be checked out.”
Cleveland Clinic outlines headache symptoms that can signal a dangerous underlying condition:
- Blurred or double vision
- Pain above or behind the eye
- Weakness or numbness
- Difficulty speaking
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stiff neck
Ranya
Habash, M.D., an internist and ophthalmologist in Boca Raton, Fla.,
says that these five potentially deadly conditions can masquerade as
headaches.
1. Brain aneurysm: Patients often describe it as the worst headache of
their lives. Dr. Cady states that a leaky aneurysm can be treated if you
seek medical help before it ruptures. A ruptured brain aneurysm can be
fatal if not treated immediately.
2. Temporal arteritis: Headache pain in one or both temples along with
pain while chewing food, scalp tenderness, and vision changes can signal
temporal arteritis. This condition can lead to blindness if not
treated.
3. Angle closer glaucoma: “Patients will complain of a severe headache along
with pain in or behind the eye,” says Dr. Habash. Associated symptoms
include eye redness, tearing, blurred vision, nausea, and light
sensitivity. If untreated, it can lead to blindness.
4. Pseudotumor cerebri: If a headache occurs mainly in the morning upon
waking and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, it may signal this
condition, which is characterized by high pressure in the brain. It can
be treated successfully with medication.
5. Meningitis: A
headache with nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, fever, chills, and
generalized malaise may indicate meningitis. This serious inflammation
of the brain and spinal fluid is caused by a viral or bacterial
infection. It’s diagnosed with a spinal tap and treated with
antibiotics.
Only
a tiny percentage of headaches are signs of serious health problems,
but if your pain is unusual and accompanied by symptoms that you haven’t
had before, it is worth the peace of mind to see your doctor and make
sure it is not being caused by an underlying condition, experts say.
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