Not every headache is “just a headache.”
We’ve all had them – after a rough night, a long day, or too much screen time.
But sometimes, a headache isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It can be your body’s way of waving a headache red flag.
Recognising the signs that something more serious may be going on can help you act early and avoid bigger health risks.
I’m Kevin and I’m a headache clinician with a special interest in neck-related and postural headaches. I’m passionate about helping people understand when they need to take a headache seriously and how to get the right help early.
What the Stats Say: Don’t Brush It Off
- Headaches are one of the top 10 reasons people visit their GP in Australia.
- According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 4.9 million Australians suffer from migraines or recurring headaches.
- Most headaches are harmless, but in less than 1% of cases, they may be signs of serious conditions such as brain bleeds, infections or tumours.
Knowing when to seek medical attention is crucial, especially if you’re someone who’s used to “pushing through” discomfort.
What’s the Problem?
The biggest issue is misunderstanding or ignoring a headache red flag.
Too many people either:
- Normalise their pain because it’s been going on “for years”
- Self-medicate without ever investigating the cause
- Wait until the headache becomes unbearable or disabling
Headache Red Flags: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following, it’s time to get checked, urgently:
- Sudden, severe onset (“thunderclap” headache)
- Headache with fever, neck stiffness or rash (may indicate infection like meningitis)
- New headache after age 50
- Headache triggered by coughing, sneezing or straining
- After a head injury, even if mild
- History of cancer or HIV with a new headache
These are not symptoms to manage at home. They require immediate medical attention.
What’s the Impact – And What’s the Solution?
The impact of ignoring a serious headache can range from prolonged suffering to missing the early warning signs of stroke, tumour or aneurysm.
On the other hand, early action means:
- Faster diagnosis
- More targeted treatment
- Potentially life-saving intervention
If you’re experiencing ongoing or unusual headaches, it’s worth speaking with your GP or seeing a health professional who understands both the neurological and musculoskeletal causes of headaches – like a physio trained in headache assessment.
Take Action Today
Don’t sit on uncertainty. Here’s what you can do:
- Keep a headache journal – track patterns, triggers, intensity and duration
- Book in with your GP if any red flags apply to you
- Visit a physio with experience in headaches to assess your posture, neck and contributing factors
Final Message
Pain is never “normal” when it keeps coming back—or comes on strong out of nowhere. Listen to your body. Headaches can often be treated and managed well, but only if we know what we’re dealing with.
If you’re unsure whether your headache is serious or not—don’t guess. Get it checked.
Written by:
References
Becker, W.J. (2015) ‘Acute migraine treatment in adults’, Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 55(6), pp. 778–793. doi:10.1111/head.12550.
Do, T.P. et al. (2019) ‘Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice’, Neurology, 92(3), pp. 134–144. doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000006697.
M, S. et al. (2003) ‘Red flags in patients presenting with headache: Clinical indications for neuroimaging’, The British Journal of Radiology, 76(908), pp. 532–535. doi:10.1259/bjr/89012738.
Wijeratne, T. et al. (2023a) ‘Secondary headaches – red and green flags and their significance for diagnostics’, eNeurologicalSci, 32, p. 100473. doi:10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100473.
