Take the following symptoms seriously. If you cannot see your health care provider immediately, go to the emergency room or call 911 if:
* This is the first headache you have every had in your life and it interferes with your daily activities
* Your headache comes on suddenly and is explosive or violent
* You would describe your headache as “your worst ever”, even if you are prone to headaches
* Your headache is associated with slurred speech, change in vision, problems moving your arms or legs, loss of balance, confusion, or memory loss
* Your headache gets progressively worse over a 24-hour period
* Your headache is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting
* Your headache occurs with a head injury
* Your headache is severe and localized to one eye with redness in that eye
* You are over age 50 and your headaches just began, especially with impaired vision and pain while chewing