RED FLAG HEADACHE SYMPTOMS

Dr Ahmed says: “There are red flag symptoms which mean the chance of a serious underlying cause is high and you must consult the doctor and get referred.” These are...

1.Sudden onset The abrupt onset of a severe headache may be reason for concern, says Dr Turner – an example could be if the headache is at its peak in less than a minute or two. Dr Ahmed describes these as thunderclap headaches, that feel “as if someone has hit your head with a cricket bat”.

2.Neck stiffness & fever If the headache is coupled with neck stiffness or a fever, Dr Turner warns these are possible features of meningitis and require urgent medical attention.

3.Possible stroke symptoms Dr Ahmed says: “Headaches associated with loss of vision, weakness, slurred speech or any other focal symptoms that persist for more than an hour need medical attention.”

4.A headache that wakes you Dr Turner says that if a headache is waking a patient up in the night, or worsening when lying down or in the morning, it can be associated with raised pressure in the head.

This increased intracranial pressure, or intracranial hypertension (IH), can occur suddenly after a severe head injury or stroke, according to the NHS, or, rarely, it can be a persistent, long-lasting problem, with no clear cause.

5.Headaches due to straining Dr Ahmed says headaches caused by straining such as coughing, sneezing or bending forward could indicate a serious problem and should be checked.

6.Change from normal If a previously existing benign headache changes its characteristics, it’s worth getting this checked out too, says Dr Ahmed.

7.Headaches in older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions The new onset of headaches in people above the age of 50 or in those on steroids, or who have had cancer or HIV could be a red flag symptom, warns Dr Ahmed.

And Dr Turner adds: “The older the patient, the greater chance a headache is likely to be associated with a more serious medical condition.”