5 types of headaches you should never ignore

A headache is defined as a painful sensation in any part of the head, that can either be sharp or mild and it may include other unpleasant symptoms. There are plenty of reasons you may get a headache – maybe something happened at work or at home that is causing you stress and anxiety, maybe you didn’t get enough sleep the previous night or maybe your next-door neighbour has been renovating and the constant knocking is just too much? It’s also possible that you may be wearing prescription glasses that are either too weak or too strong.All of these headaches could easily be remedied, which makes them fairly common. They could be tension headaches (stress and muscle tension related), migraines (intense throbbing), or cluster headaches, which could be caused by alcohol, tobacco, or bright light. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly everyone experiences a headache once in a while.

Common headaches could be remedied with sleep, water, or over-the-counter medication, whereas more severe types of headaches shouldn’t be ignored and could end up being more dangerous than we realise.

1. PAINFUL ‘THUNDERCLAP’ HEADACHES THAT HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING
Just as the name suggests, these headaches start very suddenly and strike as hard as a thunderbolt. The intensity increases in 60 seconds and becomes unbearable.

Common symptoms of this headache include:

• A sudden burst of pain
• The pain will peak in 60 seconds
• Nausea or vomiting
• A seizure
• A high fever

You should see a doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms as it could be a telltale sign of potentially life-threatening diseases like a blood clot in the brain, an ischemic stroke (which happens when an artery that sends blood to the brain is blocked) or leaking of cerebrospinal fluid (the main function of cerebrospinal fluid is to cushion the brain within the skull and act as a shock absorber for the central nervous system). Your doctor will be able to advise you best.

2. HEADACHES WITH A STIFF NECK AND FEVER
A headache that’s coupled with a stiff neck, a high fever, and seizures may be a sign of a viral infection like meningitis. Meningitis happens when there is inflammation around the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Common symptoms of this headache include:

• A high fever
• Rash
• Stiff neck
• Neurological symptoms like seizures

Other examples of viral infections that show up in the form of a headache, fever, and symptoms like lack of taste, chills, and fatigue include the coronavirus.

3. HEADACHES PAIRED WITH BLURRY VISION
If there is a thumping pain in your head and your eyesight becomes blurry, it may be a sign of glaucoma, which is a condition that damages your eye’s optic nerve and could result in damage to your eyesight.

Common symptoms include:

• Eye redness
• Severe throbbing eye pain
• Foggy vision
• Dilated pupils

If this type of headache is ignored and left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent blindness. Once nausea and vomiting kick in, things are getting even more serious. Do not ignore these signs and seek medical attention immediately.

4. UNUSUAL HEADACHES OVER THE AGE OF 50
If you’re over 50 and have never suffered from severe headaches before, you may be experiencing giant cell arteritis. That’s happened when the lining of your arteries become inflamed.

Common symptoms include:

• Relentless, severe pain in your temple area
• Scalp tenderness
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Jaw pain when you chew

If you experience any of the symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to avoid any long-term damage, like loss of eyesight.

5. HEADACHES THAT CAUSE WEAKNESS
Headaches that are associated with neurological symptoms like difficulty speaking, confusion, or seizures could mean that you may be having a stroke.

Common symptoms include:

• Weakness on one side of the body
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Trouble speaking

While there are many other signs that you’re having a stroke, slurred speech and confusion, paired with the above symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, and you should seek medical advice immediately.

If you, or a family member, have been experiencing any of these symptoms, consult with your doctor immediately or make use of the Personal Health Advisor benefit if you’re a Jet Club member. The sooner you seek medical attention, the better your chances of walking away healthy.

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Sources: mayoclinic.org, healthgrades.com, webmd.com