Acute headaches account for approximately 8% of emergency room visits. An acute headache is defined as a pain or discomfort in the head and neck areas that starts suddenly and gets worse quickly.
Headaches are caused by irritation of the surrounding brain tissues which include the cranium, muscles, nerves, veins, arteries, eyes, ears, sinuses, and mucous membranes.
There are many factors that could result in Acute Headaches, most pain is caused by:
Acute headaches are common, and they can be associated with a variety of underlying health conditions, to determine the exact cause of an acute headache in a patient a series of exams must be conducted. In general terms acute headaches are associated with:
Patients who arrive at any of our centers complaining about acute headaches will be asked to describe and rate their pain. Patients should disclose the frequency and duration of the headaches, as well as describe any symptoms that may accompany a headache such as blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Some headache conditions can be diagnosed from the patient’s medical history, others may require more detailed examination and emergency physicians may order a CT Scan to further assess the condition and properly diagnose the cause and subsequent treatment.
The treatment for Acute Headaches greatly depends on the cause of the pain. Treatments can include
How Are Acute Headaches Treated in The Emergency Room?
There are a variety of treatment options for patients suffering from an acute headache, the treatment will depend on the cause, frequency, and severity of the headaches, and may include:
When to Go to the Emergency Room
You should seek immediate emergency medical attention when:
