ISLAMABAD: Headaches are among the most common neurological complaints worldwide. In fact, medical studies suggest that fewer than 3% of people go through life without ever experiencing one. Neurologists often see more patients for headaches than for any other condition, while many others turn to their family physicians for relief.
For the vast majority, headaches are not caused by life-threatening diseases. Less than 1% of cases point to a serious brain disorder. Still, understanding when a headache signals something more urgent is critical.
The Common Culprits
Most people experience either tension-type headaches—often triggered by muscle strain—or migraines, which can affect one or both sides of the head. While usually not dangerous, these conditions disrupt the lives of millions worldwide.
Experts advise that anyone with persistent headaches should check for simple but overlooked causes:
Eye strain or vision problems
Jaw or dental issues
Neck muscle tension
What Headaches Rarely Mean
Despite widespread fears, brain tumors rarely present with headaches in their early stages. Patients with brain cancer more often show symptoms such as loss of consciousness, vision problems, speech difficulties, or limb weakness. Headache typically appears only when the tumor has advanced.
Warning Signs: When to Seek Emergency Care
Certain headache patterns should never be ignored like sudden, severe pain: If the headache feels like a blow to the skull and lasts from one to five minutes, it could indicate a brain hemorrhage. Immediate hospital care is essential.
Meningitis (brain infection): Severe headache with fever, stiff neck, skin rashes, or drowsiness requires urgent medical attention.
Temporal arteritis: In people over 60, headache with weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, or shoulder pain may signal inflamed arteries, which can lead to stroke or blindness if untreated.
Progressive headaches: Pain that begins suddenly and worsens gradually should always be evaluated by a doctor.
Other serious causes include blood clots in the brain’s veins and increased intracranial pressure, particularly in overweight women, those using birth control pills, or during pregnancy.
The Red Flags to Watch For
Seek medical advice if your headache:
Occurs only when coughing or sneezing
Is triggered by lying down or standing up
Appears in someone with a history of cancer
Persists while taking immune-suppressing drugs such as steroids
The Hidden Danger of Overusing Painkillers
Frequent use of pain relief medications can make headaches worse. Experts warn:
Taking painkillers more than 10–15 days per month may trigger “medication-overuse headaches.”
Ideally, avoid using them on more than two days per week.
If dependence develops, consult a physician immediately.
Bottom Line:
Most headaches are harmless—but some can be life-threatening. Recognizing the red flags and avoiding over-reliance on painkillers can prevent complications. If your headaches are frequent, severe, or unusual, medical evaluation is the safest path forward.
