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How do you know when to call your doctor? Although very few headaches are signs of serious underlying medical conditions, call your doctor at once if any of the items below apply to you.
Call your doctor if:
- You have three or more headaches per week
- You must take a pain reliever every day or almost daily.
- You need more than recommended doses of over-the-counter medications to relieve headache symptoms
- You have a stiff neck and/or fever in addition to a headache
- Your headache is accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, and/or unexpected symptoms that affect your eyes, ears, nose, or throat
- You are dizzy, unsteady, or have slurred speech, weakness, or changes in sensation (numbness and/or tingling) in addition to your headache
- You experience confusion or drowsiness with your headache
- Your headaches begin and persist after head injury
- Your headache is triggered by exertion, coughing, bending, or sexual activity
- Your headache keeps getting worse and won't go away
- Your headaches have changed in character
- Persistent or severe vomiting accompanies headache
- You have your "first and/or worse" headache
- Your headaches began after you reached the age of 50
Keep in mind that even if you have had headaches for many years, it's still possible to develop a new and possibly more serious type of headache.
Reprinted from the web site of the American Council for Headache Education (www.achenet.org)
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