Are Headaches Dangerous?
There are numerous types of headaches, including sinus headaches, migraines, or cluster headaches. If you suffer from chronic headaches, then the condition can affect your daily living. While you might have a headache from lack of sleep or from drinking too much alcohol, if you have a strange headache after a blow to the head or from a fall, then you should have an examination from a physician at an urgent care clinic. A headache after a vehicular accident or other trauma can indicate that you have a concussion, and this can become a life-threatening problem.
Collecting Your Medical Information
A physician can collect your health history along with taking medical images of your head and brain. It is important to explain the symptoms that you are experiencing such as a steady or throbbing pain in one or both sides of the head. If you have other symptoms with the headache such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, or fainting, then you might have a migraine or a concussion. A headache with changes in your facial appearance with sagging muscles on one side of the face can indicate that you have had a stroke.
Sinus Headaches
If you have congestion with a headache, then you may have a sinus infection, but this is also a symptom from cluster headaches. For sinus headaches, you can take over-the-counter medications that reduce the congestion, but for cluster headaches, you may need prescription medication. Cluster headaches are considered one of the worst types of pain because it causes intense discomfort behind an eye, and it involves one side of the head.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and these often occur due to anxiety, poor dietary habits or not getting enough sleep. Taking over-the-counter pain medications, applying a warm compress to the forehead, and sleeping for several hours can relieve this type of headache. If you have tension headaches frequently, then you should modify your diet, avoid stress, and maintain a regular sleeping schedule.
Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches often have unusual symptoms such as seeing strange lights or smelling nonexistent odors. These types of headaches can last for a few hours or for several days, and you may vomit or have a sensitivity to sounds or light that make the pain worse. It is important to seek regular treatment for migraines so that the headaches don’t disrupt your life.
Come into WellCare
Headaches could be a sign of an underlying medical issue. If you have persistent headaches then come into WellCare Urgent Care Center in Grand Rapids to get treatment for this. Immediate appointments can be booked online at our Cascade and Leonard locations.