When to seek medical help?

There's usually no need to see your GP if you only get occasional headaches. However, see your GP if you get headaches several times a week or your headaches are severe.

Your GP will ask questions about your headaches, family history, diet and lifestyle to help diagnose the type of headache you have.

You should seek immediatemedical advice for headaches that:

  • Come on suddenly and are unlike anything you've had before
  • Are accompanied by a very stiff neck, fever, nausea, vomiting and confusion
  • Follow an accident, especially if it involved a blow to your head
  • Are accompanied by weakness, numbness, slurred speech or confusion

These symptoms suggest there could be a more serious problem, which may require further investigationand emergency treatment.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 29 Nov 2016