Symptom guide
Headache
Headache is a common symptom that can be associated with stress, dehydration, infection, migraine, blood pressure concerns, medication effects, and many other causes.
Key points
- Most headaches are not emergencies, but sudden, severe, unusual, or neurologic-symptom headaches need urgent evaluation.
- Location, timing, triggers, severity, and associated symptoms can help guide the conversation with a clinician.
- A symptom page cannot diagnose the cause of headache.
PrimeHealth Diagram System
Headache discussion map
This original responsive diagram placeholder is educational and does not diagnose. Future versions will use reviewed PrimeHealth React/SVG visuals.
Seek urgent care if
- Sudden, severe headache that feels unusual or worst-ever
- Headache after a serious head injury
- Headache with weakness, confusion, fainting, seizure, trouble speaking, or vision loss
- Headache with stiff neck, high fever, severe vomiting, or difficulty breathing
What to notice
Helpful details include when the headache started, whether it came on suddenly or gradually, where it is located, how severe it feels, what makes it better or worse, and whether there are symptoms such as fever, vision changes, vomiting, weakness, confusion, or neck stiffness.
Possible non-diagnostic categories
Headache may be associated with tension-type headache, migraine, sinus or respiratory illness, dehydration, medication effects, high blood pressure, head injury, or other causes. A clinician may need history, exam, and sometimes tests to determine what is happening.
How to prepare for care
Track headache timing, severity, triggers, medicines taken, recent illness, blood pressure readings if available, and any warning signs. This can help a care team decide what evaluation is appropriate.
Related PrimeHealth topics
Seek urgent care if a headache is sudden, severe, follows injury, or comes with neurologic symptoms or other danger signs.
Medical disclaimer
PrimeHealth Library provides general health education only. It does not diagnose, prescribe, or replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Symptoms, lab results, and conditions may be associated with many different causes.
This test alone cannot diagnose any condition. Seek urgent care if you have severe symptoms, chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke-like symptoms, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, or any medical emergency.