Signs You Need Medical Attention for Your Headaches

You’re going about your day when head pain puts a damper on most everything. While you’ve had your share of headaches, this one seems … different. Is it time to seek medical care? The answer depends on the specifics of your pain and whether or not you notice additional symptoms.

At California Pain Medicine Center in Santa Monica, California, expert pain management specialists, Dr. Joshua Prager and Dr. Gabriel Barnard, diagnose and treat headaches so that you can get the relief you need.

Read on to learn more about headaches, including different types and when to seek medical attention.

Different types of headaches

The kind of medical care you may need depends largely on the type of headache you’re experiencing. Some of the most common headache types include:

• Chronic daily headaches, which affect you for 15 days or more per month
• Tension headaches, which causes dull or pressure-like pain
• Migraines, which are more severe and may cause additional symptoms, like nausea
• Sinus headaches, related to a cold or sinus infection

Other types of headaches include cluster headaches, which cause severe pain on one side of your head off and on for weeks or months, primary exertional headaches, triggered by exercise, and headaches from medication overuse.

Another kind of headache that’s especially important to pay attention to is known as a secondary headache. These headaches appear as a symptom of an underlying condition, versus being a condition on its own. And in some cases, the conditions are severe or even life threatening.

When to seek medical attention

If you have a sudden and severe headache, one that feels like the worst of your life, seek medical attention immediately. You should also seek care quickly if you lose consciousness, vomit uncontrollably, or experience little relief in a 72-hour period. 

Beyond those severe signs, which may indicate a condition like an aneurism, you should also call our office if your headaches are increasingly frequent or severe or get in the way of your daily life. And when in doubt, it never hurts to contact us or schedule an exam.

Treatment for your headaches

Depending on the specifics of your head pain, our team at California Pain Medicine Center may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications, prescription migraine medication, massage therapy, acupuncture, or testing for underlying conditions.

Other conditions that may cause headaches include blood clots, hypertension, Lyme disease, COVID-19, head trauma, and tumors.

To learn more about headaches or get the care you need, call our office at 310-264-7246 or request an appointment through our website.