Headaches
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Has your headache continued after using home treatment and prescription or non-prescription 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 new or different severe headache for 1 hour or longer?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Have you had a new or different moderate headache for 12 hours or longer?
Yes Has your usual moderate to severe headache lasted longer than 12 hours?
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 non-prescription 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.
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: September 15, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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