Is it Time for Urgent Care? When to See a Doctor for a Headache

woman holding hands to head in stress

Around 15% of all American adults experience severe migraines or headaches. Even though getting a headache can seem like a common thing, there are times when you should consult a doctor for your pain.

Knowing your normal headache symptoms can help you distinguish between that and when you need emergency medical care.

Here are the reasons why you should go to urgent care and when to see a doctor for a headache.

What Is a Serious Headache?

Everyone experiences headaches. It’s important to understand what’s normal for you to feel when going through a headache and what isn’t.

A headache is how your body alerts you to another problem that is going on. For example, if you are under constant stress, your headache would be a result from that.

However, not all headaches are from as simple of causes and could be a sign of serious health problems going on in your body. Some common reasons why people have ongoing headaches are low blood sugar, stress, and hunger.

If your headaches are persistent, make sure to see a medical professional to confirm exactly what is making you feel the pain.

Problems Regarding Your Vision

When your headaches start interfering with your eyesight, you should consult a doctor at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care – Thibodaux for help immediately.

Signs such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight could be symptoms of a ruptured blood vessel that leads to an aneurysm. This has the possibility of affecting your speech as well.

Sudden Dizziness is When to See a Doctor for a Headache

Becoming dizzy soon after starting to experience a headache is an unusual symptom of a headache. This could be a sign that you have low blood sugar. It’s also important to note exactly how you are dizzy so you can explain to your doctor.

Are you lightheaded? Do you feel as if you are about to pass out? Is everything in the room spinning around you?

Knowing what kind of dizziness mixed with a headache you’re experiencing could help your doctor come to a conclusion quicker and get you the help you need.

Other Symptoms to Look Out For

Vision problems and dizziness aren’t the only signs of a serious headache.

Make sure to pay attention to see if you have any of these symptoms which are signs of a serious headache:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Confusion or unusual behavior
  • Very painful headaches that escalate quickly
  • Taking new medicine resulting in a headache
  • Vomiting
  • Headaches resulting from a recent accident or head injury
  • Fever with a headache
  • Rash with a headache

Some combinations of these symptoms could mean a possible impending stroke or an aneurysm.

Get Care If You Don’t Feel Right

Learning how to distinguish serious headache symptoms from regular ones will help if you need to figure out when to see a doctor for a headache. If you feel as if something you’re feeling isn’t right, come see us at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care – Thibodaux as soon as you can. This can help remedy your situation quickly, and prevent it from getting worse.

Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care – Thibodaux specializes in giving quality healthcare and urgent care to those in the Thibodaux, Louisiana area.

Take a look at our blog for more healthcare advice and information.