Headache - what to ask your doctor
![Spanish Version Spanish Version](http://ahsdemo.adam.com/clients/1405/117/img/es-version-btn.png)
A headache is pain or discomfort in your head, scalp, or neck.
Below are questions you may want to ask your health care provider about your headaches.
I Would Like to Learn About:
Questions
How can I tell if the headache I am having is dangerous?
What are the symptoms of a tension-type headache? A migraine headache? A cluster headache?
What medical problems can cause headaches? What tests do I need?
What changes in my lifestyle may help my headaches?
- Are there foods that I should stay away from that may make my headaches worse?
- Are there medicines or conditions in my home or work that may be causing my headaches?
- Will alcohol or smoking make my headaches worse?
- Will exercise help my headaches?
- How will stress or stress reduction affect my headaches?
What are the pain medicines that can be used for headaches?
- Will taking too many pain medicines make my headaches worse?
- What are the side effects of these medicines?
- Will any of these medicines make me sleepy or confused?
What should I do when I feel a headache beginning?
- Are there medicines I can take that will stop an oncoming headache?
- What can I do when I have headaches at school or work?
Are there medicines that I can take that will make my headaches come less often?
What can I do about nausea or vomiting with my headaches?
Are there any herbs or supplements that I can take that will help? How do I know if they are safe?
Related Information
Subarachnoid hemor...MigraineStrokeCerebral arteriove...Cluster headache...Tension headache...Aneurysm in the br...Headache | Headaches - tensio...Migraine headaches...Headaches - cluste... |
References
Digre KB. Headaches and other head pain. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 370.
Garza I, Robertson CE, Smith JH, Whealy MA. Headache and other craniofacial pain. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley's and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 102.
National Headache Foundation website. The complete headache chart. headaches.org/resources/the-complete-headache-chart/. Accessed April 18, 2023.