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It鈥檚 been days and what you thought was a regular tension headache hasn鈥檛 gone away. Is it time to go to the doctor?

Whether it鈥檚 a random headache that won鈥檛 go away or one that appears like clockwork the week before you have your menstrual cycle, headache pain can range from mild to so severe you can鈥檛 get out of bed. Here鈥檚 how to know when it鈥檚 time to make an appointment with your doctor to get your headaches checked out.

Seek out medical attention immediately if your headache is extremely painful and if it comes on suddenly and severely, which may be a sign of an aneurysm.

The classic presentation of an aneurysm is the worst headache of your life, says a 喵咪社区 neurosurgeon. 鈥淭hey call it a 鈥榯hunder clap鈥� headache.鈥�

You should also see a doctor when you have a headache and one or more of the following symptoms:

• Stiff neck
• Fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Weak, numb or paralyzed on one side of your body
• Trouble seeing, speaking or walking
• Nausea and vomiting (and you don鈥檛 have another condition like the flu)
• Confusion
• Fainting

If you鈥檙e experiencing these symptoms, it鈥檚 possible your headache is the result of a stroke or meningitis. Both are life-threatening and require immediate medical treatment.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if:

• Your headache gets worse or doesn鈥檛 improve with an over-the-counter pain medication
• Your headache prevents you from working, sleeping or going about your daily activities
• Your headaches start occurring more often than usual or are more painful and intense than usual
• You would like to learn more about different treatment options

If your headaches are mild and infrequent, it鈥檚 OK to wait and bring it up at your next annual check up. In general, it鈥檚 important to speak with your doctor about your headaches if you鈥檙e experiencing them regularly.

Headaches are caused by a number of reasons, ranging from seasonal allergies to dehydration to stress to vitamin deficiencies. Once you and your doctor have identified the cause, you can begin finding the most appropriate and beneficial treatment options and/or lifestyle changes.

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