Headaches are one of the most common maladies we experience. We get them because of various reasons, among them sickness and stress. Most people know about the three most common headaches – the tension headache, migraine, and cluster headache. These kinds of headaches are generally considered harmless. But there are other kinds of headaches that should not be taken lightly if you experience them. Below are six types of headaches you should watch out for because they could be an indicator of a serious medical condition.
Exercise headache
If you suddenly experience a very severe headache that happens quickly whenever you do any kind of strenuous physical activity you should immediately go to your doctor and have an examination. Even though the headache may turn out to be nothing to worry about, an exercise headache is also associated with subarachnoid hemmorhage.
Thunderclap headache
This type of headache is one that just appears out of nowhere with the level of its intensity increasing in just a number of minutes. Some have described it as the worst headache they have ever experienced. If this happens, go to the hospital immediately or call 911. This is the type of headache you shouldn’t ignore because the short list of things that cause a thunderclap is short and what’s included in that list are quite fatal.
A non-stop headache
A headache that does not disappear is also a cause for concern. This includes persistent headaches that comes and goes for days and usually accompanied by a fever, visual problems and a pain on both or either of the temples are symptoms of an arterial inflammation that can be quite dangerous if left untreated because it can leave you blind. Go to the doctor immediately if you experience this.
Headaches that wake you
If you have a headache that seems to getting worse and worse every week or if the headache appears everytime you wake up,these are the usual signs of an expanding mass. Even though it is not immediately life threatening, you should immediately go to your doctor and have an MRI scheduled to find out what’s happening.
Spreading headache
The typical headache is typically localized – it is only located on your head. But if you notice that the pain is moving then you should go to your doctor or the hospital immediately. A moving headache is typical of meningitis or a hemmorhage. If you are also experiencing fever, just had a bacterial infection, developed a rash or haing difficulty thinking the situation then the danger is more immediate – call 911.