The NHS has provided guidance on when a headache should prompt you to seek urgent medical attention. While most headaches are merely an annoyance and will dissipate within hours, or at most a few days, some may require more immediate attention. If you're suffering from a headache, the NHS recommends drinking plenty of water, getting ample rest if you have a cold or flu, trying to relax as stress can exacerbate headaches, and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen.
If you also have a high temperature, it's advisable to stay at home and avoid contact with others. The NHS advises against drinking alcohol, skipping meals, oversleeping, or straining your eyes when you have a headache, as these actions can worsen the condition, reports Wales Online . When to see a GP if you have a headache The NHS advises seeing a GP if: your headache keeps coming back painkillers do not help and your headache gets worse you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head – it could be a migraine or, more rarely, a cluster headache you feel sick, vomit and find light or noise painful When to get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 It's more urgent if you or your child has a severe headache and: jaw pain when eating blurred or double vision a sore scalp other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs The NHS also advises getting an urgent GP appointment or calling 111 if your child is under 12 and has any one of the following: a headache that wakes them at night a headache w.