3 Types of Headaches You Should Never Ignore: Key Warning Signs for Those Over 50
Discover the critical types of headaches that may signal serious health risks such as brain tumors, aneurysms, or infections, especially for individuals over 50.
watan-Most people experience headaches from time to time, while some suffer from recurring headaches or head pain, either due to insomnia, irregular sleep patterns, daily life stress, or other common reasons. However, an American doctor has sounded the alarm for individuals over the age of 50, issuing a warning about certain types of headaches that should not be ignored.
A doctor has identified three types of headaches that should never be overlooked as they may be warning signs of a brain tumor, aneurysm, or a serious infection.
According to a report published by the British newspaper Daily Mail, cited by “Al Arabiya.net,” American neurologist Dr. Baiping Chen, known as “Dr. Bing,” emphasized that although most headaches are “harmless,” there are critical warning signs to watch out for.
Dr. Bing warned that these warning signs are particularly concerning for people over 50, as brain-related illnesses become more common at this age.
Thunderclap Headache
One of the most alarming types of headaches is the thunderclap headache. Dr. Bing described this as an intense headache rated 10 out of 10 in severity, reaching its peak within one minute. Patients often refer to it as the worst headache of their lives.
He explained, “The most important thing to check for in this case is a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which usually occurs due to a ruptured aneurysm. However, there could also be other causes.”
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a particularly deadly type of stroke involving bleeding on the surface of the brain. In addition to the sudden and severe headache, it may also cause neck pain, vomiting, and seizures.
Dr. Bing added that other possible causes of this type of headache include reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), which involves temporary narrowing of blood vessels in the brain, as well as cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), a clot in the brain’s main vein.
Migraine Headaches
He noted that as people age, the likelihood of developing new primary headaches, such as migraines, decreases. Because of this, less common and more serious causes, such as hematomas, brain tumors, or infections, should be evaluated by a doctor.
Individuals over 50 should be particularly cautious of new symptoms accompanying headaches, such as vision changes, scalp sensitivity, and pain while chewing.
Dr. Bing warned that this could indicate giant cell arteritis, an inflammatory condition of the blood vessels that can lead to permanent blindness if not treated quickly with high-dose steroids.
Drooping Eyelid and Dilated Pupil
The final warning sign highlighted by Dr. Bing is a headache accompanied by drooping of one eyelid, dilated pupils, and double vision.
In such cases, he urges people to seek medical help immediately, as it may indicate an aneurysm — a swollen blood vessel that can rupture at any moment.
He explained, “I mention this specifically because this is one of the few instances where we can detect a brain aneurysm before it ruptures.”
He added, “This specific set of symptoms may be caused by an aneurysm pressing on the third cranial nerve, and it requires urgent treatment.”
Non-Serious Headaches
Doctors note that not all headaches are serious. They can be caused by poor posture, overuse of painkillers, the flu, dehydration, stress, or vision problems.
However, Dr. Bing emphasized that if someone experiences a new headache or notices unusual headache characteristics, further evaluation is necessary.
