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When should you seek medical care for migraines or other headaches?

Rosamma Joseph, MD (photo by Jim Howe)

Rosamma Joseph, MD
(photo by Jim Howe)

Upstate neurologist Rosamma Joseph, MD, shares several "red flags" regarding headaches that indicate a person should promptly seek medical care. She also discusses the diagnosis and treatment of migraines -- which affect about 15 percent of the population worldwide. The red flags include: headaches that come on suddenly; cause extreme pain; are associated with confusion or disturbed vision, balance or speech; are associated with fever, seizures or unconsciousness; or are accompanied by a stiff neck or rash. Joseph notes that the websites of the National Headache Foundation and the American Migraine Foundation offer helpful information.

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