1. A Visual Guide to Migraine Headaches Slideshow Pictures
2. Headache and Migraine Triggers Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Migraines Quiz

Medical Author:

Mark Langdorf, MD

Coauthor:

Aaron Bright, MD

Medical Editor:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Consult a doctor about your headache and find out what can be done for pain relief in these situations:

• You have a chronic medical illness such as high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack or stroke, diabetes, or liver problems.
• You do not get relief with over-the-counter pain medications.
• You are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medications.
• There is any change in the normal pattern of your headache.
• You have a new type of headache that you never had before.
• You have pain in your face or eyes.

Although headaches are very common, they may be a sign of serious disease that warrants immediate medical attention. Go to an emergency department if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Severe pain
• Pain that develops very rapidly (sudden onset)
• A change in concentration or ability to think
• A change in level of alertness
• Altered speech
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking
• Changes in vision
• Headache with a stiff neck or neck pain, or if light hurts your eyes
• Worst headache of your life
• Headache with dizziness, room spinning, or falling to one side
• Headache from an injury or blow to the head
• Headache with fever (over 100.4° F or 38° C when taken by mouth)

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