Headache
Pending clinical review Educational information from public health sources, pending clinical review. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice.
Pain anywhere in the head. Most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of something more serious; they can last from 30 minutes to several days.
Get emergency help now (call your local emergency number (112 in India)) if you have:
- A headache with a seizure (fit)
- Numbness or weakness in the face or body
- A headache that started suddenly and is extremely painful
- A head injury in the last 3 months
- Difficulty speaking, balancing, walking or remembering things
- Drowsiness or confusion
- Loss of vision
- A rash that does not fade under a pressed glass, a very high temperature, a stiff neck, or bright light hurting the eyes
Contact a doctor or clinician today if you have:
- A headache with vomiting, vision problems, or made worse by coughing, sneezing, bending or exercise
- A headache with jaw pain when eating or a sore, tender scalp
When to see a clinician
- Self-care has not helped, or the headache is getting worse.
- You get headaches regularly.
What it can be associated with
This page cannot tell you what is causing your symptom. Many different things, minor and serious, can cause the same symptom, and only a clinician who can examine you can assess it. The list of things a symptom can be associated with is in alphabetical order, not in order of how likely they are.
- A cold or flu
- Bad posture
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eyesight problems
- Migraine or cluster headache
- Not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)
- Not eating regular meals
- Periods or the menopause (hormone headache)
- Stress
- Taking too many painkillers
General self-care
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- Do not skip meals.
- Avoid straining your eyes at a screen for a long time.
- Avoid alcohol.
For medicines, ask a pharmacist or doctor; SuperHealthyAI does not advise on medicines or doses.
Check for warning signs
Tick any that apply now. This does not diagnose anything; it tells you how soon to get help.
Sources
This page is general education, not personal medical advice. For diagnosis, treatment or medicines, please talk to a qualified doctor, registered dietitian or pharmacist. Read our medical & AI disclaimer.