Migraine & Headache: Recognise the Pattern, Respect the Red Flags

Most headaches are not dangerous, but a change in pattern or certain warning features requires timely medical evaluation.

Migraine is more than a headache

Migraine may cause moderate-to-severe throbbing pain, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people experience visual or sensory aura before the headache.

Keep a headache diary

Recording timing, duration, triggers, associated symptoms, sleep, meals and medicines can reveal patterns and help a clinician choose appropriate acute or preventive treatment.

Avoid medication overuse

Frequent self-use of painkillers can itself contribute to recurrent headaches. If analgesics are needed repeatedly, the treatment plan should be reviewed rather than simply increasing doses.

Headache red flags

Urgent assessment is important for a sudden 'worst-ever' headache, headache with weakness or speech difficulty, fever with neck stiffness, persistent vomiting, new headache after significant injury, loss of consciousness, new headache during pregnancy/postpartum, or a major change from the usual pattern.

Important: This page provides general health education and cannot diagnose an individual. New, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms need direct medical assessment.

Emergency symptoms: If there is severe chest pain, major breathing difficulty, new weakness/speech difficulty, loss of consciousness, seizure, severe bleeding or another rapidly life-threatening problem, seek emergency medical care rather than waiting for an online response.