Do headaches indicate brain damage?

Experts say no. The odds that there's a problem is less than 1 in 1,000. Brain lesions don't appear to cause any long-term damage. Two large studies found people with migraines didn't have any more changes to their brain function or thinking than those who don't get migraines.

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How do I know if my headache is brain related?

Symptoms of a brain tumor headache
  1. headaches that wake you up at night.
  2. headache pain that changes as you change positions.
  3. headache pain that doesn't respond to standard pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Advil)
  4. headaches that last for days or weeks at a time.

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What do brain injury headaches feel like?

Headaches after a concussion most often feel like tension-type headaches. These may be related to a neck injury that happened at the same time as the head injury. Or the headaches may feel like migraines.

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What brain problems cause headaches?

Inflammation or other problems with the blood vessels in and around the brain, including stroke. Infections, such as meningitis. Intracranial pressure that's either too high or too low. Brain tumor.

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How do I know if my headache is something serious?

Your headache comes on suddenly and is explosive or violent. Your headache is "the worst ever," even if you regularly get headaches. You also have slurred speech, a change in vision, problems moving your arms or legs, loss of balance, confusion, or memory loss with your headache. Your headache gets worse over 24 hours.

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What happens to your brain during a migraine - Marianne Schwarz

29 related questions found

What type of headache is worrisome?

Headaches that get steadily worse. Changes in personality or mental function. Headaches that are accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures.

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Is it normal to have headache everyday?

No, it's NOT normal to get headaches everyday

Most people have headaches from time to time. But if you have a headache more days than not, you might have chronic daily headaches, which come in many forms – most of them pretty disabling.

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When should I see a neurologist for a headache?

Consider making an appointment with a neurologist if: Your headache is continuous for more than a day or two. Your headaches tend to come on suddenly. Your head pain is worsened by straining.

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Why do I wake up with a headache every day?

A number of sleep or health disorders, as well as personal habits, can trigger a headache when you wake up. Sleep apnea, migraine, and lack of sleep are common culprits. However, teeth grinding, alcohol use, and certain medications can also cause you to wake up with a headache.

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What does strong headaches mean?

In some cases, headaches can result from a blow to the head or, rarely, a sign of a more serious medical problem. Stress. Emotional stress and depression as well as alcohol use, skipping meals, changes in sleep patterns, and taking too much medication. Other causes include neck or back strain due to poor posture.

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How can you tell if you have brain damage?

People with brain damage may have balance issues and sensitivity to pain and light. They may have difficulty with communication, including listening and expressing verbally. Brain damage patients may have frequent headaches and extreme mental and physical fatigue.

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What are 3 symptoms of a brain injury?

Physical symptoms
  • Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours.
  • Persistent headache or headache that worsens.
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea.
  • Convulsions or seizures.
  • Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes.
  • Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears.
  • Inability to awaken from sleep.

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What are the symptoms of a slow brain bleed?

Symptoms
  • Headache that gets worse.
  • Vomiting.
  • Drowsiness and progressive loss of consciousness.
  • Dizziness.
  • Confusion.
  • Unequal pupil size.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Loss of movement (paralysis) on the opposite side of the body from the head injury.

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What are the red flags for headaches?

We review the following red flags: (1) systemic symptoms including fever; (2) neoplasm history; (3) neurologic deficit (including decreased consciousness); (4) sudden or abrupt onset; (5) older age (onset after 65 years); (6) pattern change or recent onset of new headache; (7) positional headache; (8) precipitated by ...

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What does a headache look like on a brain scan?

In some migraine patients, an MRI may show white spots on the brain. These spots are called white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), which are lesions in the brain visualized by areas of increased brightness. They can vary in size and location in areas of the brain.

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What should I do if I wake up with a headache everyday?

How can I stop waking up with a headache? You can stop waking up with a headache by seeking chiropractic care, taking OTC medications, or making specific lifestyle changes, like getting good sleep, avoiding alcohol and drugs, cutting out caffeine, and relieving stress.

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Can your pillow give you headaches?

If your pillow offers improper support you might wake up with a tension headache. A pillow that does not hold your head and neck in a neutral alignment with your spine can lead to neck pain and headaches. You'll want to consider your pillow's loft and firmness when determining if it is offering you proper support.

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Why shouldn't you go to sleep with a headache?

Going to sleep with an untreated migraine is commonly a mistake as it may worsen during the night and become difficult to treat in the morning. If a migraineur is sleep deprived, he or she can expect more migraines, while those who oversleep may wake with attacks that are very resistant to therapy.

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How do you know when it's time to see a neurologist?

Common reasons to visit a neurologist
  • Chronic or severe headaches. ...
  • Chronic pain. ...
  • Dizziness. ...
  • Numbness or tingling. ...
  • Movement problems. ...
  • Memory problems or confusion.

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What tests do doctors run for headaches?

Tests for Diagnosing Headaches
  • Blood chemistry and urinalysis. These tests may determine many medical conditions, including diabetes, thyroid problems, and infections, which can cause headaches.
  • CT scan. ...
  • MRI. ...
  • Sinus X-ray. ...
  • EEG. ...
  • Eye exam. ...
  • Spinal tap.

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What do neurologists do for headaches?

A neurologist can help by doing a complete evaluation and ordering tests, if needed. They will work with you to determine the cause of your headaches and develop a treatment plan to help you find relief.

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How long is too long for a headache?

If you've been experiencing the same headache for more than one day, it's possible that you could have a more serious underlying condition that requires emergency medical care. Seek medical attention right away if you're experiencing: a severe headache that began abruptly (within a few seconds)

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Are there signs before a brain bleed?

Some symptoms include headache; nausea and vomiting; or sudden tingling, weakness, numbness or paralysis of face, arm or leg.

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What were your first signs of a brain bleed?

What Are the Symptoms of Brain Bleeding?
  • A sudden severe headache.
  • Seizures with no previous history of seizures.
  • Weakness in an arm or leg.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Decreased alertness; lethargy.
  • Changes in vision.
  • Tingling or numbness.
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.

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