Headaches: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Has your headache continued after using home treatment and prescription or nonprescription medicine?

See significance of a headache that does not improve with medicine if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had a severe headache for 1 hour or longer?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had a moderate headache for 12 hours or longer?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had a mild headache for 24 hours or longer that has improved but not gone away?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have your headaches prevented you from completing your daily activities, such as school or work?

Yes

Have persistent headaches caused you to limit your usual activities for 2 weeks or longer?

Yes

Have you used prescription or nonprescription medicine to control your headaches for 2 weeks or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	July 09, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer