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When A Headache Keeps Coming Back
Mobile Headache & Migraine Evaluations At Home
When A Headache Keeps Coming Back
Almost everyone experiences a headache occasionally. Lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, illness, changes in routine, and many other factors can leave your head aching for a few hours.
But when headaches repeatedly return, become more disruptive, or feel different from what you normally experience, it may be time for a professional medical evaluation.
Headache is a symptom rather than a single diagnosis, and different types of headaches can require different approaches to care.
For eligible non-emergency concerns, UrgentCare2Go brings licensed healthcare providers directly to homes, hotels, workplaces, assisted living communities, and other approved locations throughout Texas, allowing you to receive professional medical care without traveling while your head is hurting.
What Can Cause A Headache?
Headaches have many possible causes and triggers.
These may include:
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Poor or inadequate sleep
- Skipping meals
- Viral illnesses
- Sinus or nasal symptoms
- Eyestrain
- Caffeine changes
- Certain medications
- Migraine
- Muscle tension
- Other underlying medical conditions
Sometimes more than one factor contributes to a headache.
A healthcare provider can review the pattern of your symptoms, associated symptoms, medications, medical history, and potential triggers to help determine the appropriate next steps.
What Does A Tension-Type Headache Feel Like?
Tension-type headaches are common and may cause:
- Dull or aching discomfort
- Pressure or tightness around the head
- Tenderness around the scalp, neck, or shoulders
- Pain on both sides of the head
- Mild to moderate discomfort
Symptoms vary between individuals, and headache characteristics alone don't always identify the cause.
What Does A Migraine Feel Like?
Migraine can cause more than head pain.
Symptoms may include:
- Moderate to severe headache
- Throbbing or pulsating pain
- Pain that may be more noticeable on one side
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Sensitivity to odors
- Worsening discomfort with routine activity
Some people experience neurological symptoms known as aura before or during a migraine.
However, new neurological symptoms shouldn't automatically be assumed to be migraine—particularly if they are unusual for you.
Why Does My Headache Keep Coming Back?
Recurring headaches may be influenced by patterns in everyday life.
Possible triggers include:
- Irregular sleep
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Missing meals
- Caffeine withdrawal or excessive caffeine
- Screen use
- Changes in routine
- Hormonal changes
- Certain foods or beverages
- Environmental triggers
- Medication use
Keeping track of when headaches occur may help identify patterns.
Mobile Headache Evaluations That Come To You
When light, noise, movement, or driving makes your headache worse, traveling to a clinic can be particularly unpleasant.
UrgentCare2Go brings the evaluation to you.
Depending on your symptoms, medical history, available services, and your provider's clinical judgment, your mobile visit may include:
- Comprehensive medical evaluation
- Medical history review
- Vital signs
- Blood pressure measurement
- Neurological assessment
- Head and neck examination
- Review of headache characteristics
- Evaluation of associated symptoms
- Medication review
- Assessment of possible triggers
- Treatment recommendations when clinically appropriate
- Follow-up instructions
- Referral for additional testing or specialty care when needed
The appropriate evaluation and treatment depend on your individual symptoms.
Can Dehydration Cause A Headache?
Yes. Inadequate hydration can contribute to headaches in some people.
Other possible signs of dehydration include:
- Thirst
- Dry mouth
- Darker urine
- Reduced urination
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weakness
Maintaining appropriate hydration may help, but recurring or severe headaches shouldn't automatically be attributed to dehydration without considering other possible causes.
People who have been instructed to restrict fluids because of a medical condition should follow their healthcare provider's recommendations.
Can Stress Cause Headaches?
Stress may contribute to headaches in some people.
Muscle tension involving the neck, shoulders, scalp, and jaw can occur during stressful periods and may contribute to discomfort.
Helpful stress-management habits may include:
- Maintaining regular sleep
- Taking breaks from prolonged screen use
- Appropriate physical activity
- Relaxation exercises
- Eating regularly
- Staying appropriately hydrated
Persistent headaches still deserve evaluation even when stress appears to be a trigger.
Should You Keep A Headache Diary?
For recurring headaches, tracking symptoms can provide useful information.
Consider recording:
- When the headache started
- How long it lasted
- Where the pain occurred
- How severe it was
- Associated symptoms
- Foods and beverages consumed
- Sleep patterns
- Stress levels
- Menstrual or hormonal patterns when relevant
- Medications taken
- What seemed to improve or worsen the headache
This information may help your healthcare provider identify patterns and possible triggers.
When Medical Evaluation Is Recommended
Consider scheduling an evaluation if:
- Headaches keep returning.
- Your headaches are becoming more frequent.
- The pattern of your headaches changes.
- Headaches interfere with work, sleep, or daily activities.
- You frequently need medication for headache relief.
- Headaches occur with nausea or light sensitivity.
- Your usual headache-management plan is no longer helping.
- You're unsure what is causing the symptoms.
Recurring headaches may require further evaluation even when each individual episode isn't an emergency.
When A Headache Needs Prompt Medical Attention
Certain headache symptoms should not be managed as a routine mobile visit.
Seek prompt or emergency medical evaluation for:
- A sudden, extremely severe headache
- A headache after significant head trauma
- A new severe headache with fever and neck stiffness
- A new headache with neurological symptoms
- Significant confusion
- New difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Persistent vomiting with severe headache
- A significant new change from your usual headache pattern
- Severe headache during pregnancy or the postpartum period
The appropriate level of care depends on the symptoms and circumstances.
When To Call 911
Call 911 immediately if a headache occurs with:
- Sudden one-sided weakness or numbness
- New difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Severe confusion
- Sudden major vision loss
- Severe difficulty walking
- Other symptoms suggesting a life-threatening neurological emergency
A sudden severe headache unlike anything you've experienced before also requires emergency evaluation.
Do not wait for a mobile medical visit when emergency symptoms are present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can UrgentCare2Go evaluate headaches at home?
Yes. UrgentCare2Go providers can evaluate many eligible non-emergency headaches and migraine-related concerns during mobile medical visits throughout eligible Texas service areas.
Can dehydration cause headaches?
Yes. Dehydration may contribute to headaches in some people, although recurring headaches can have many other possible causes.
Can stress trigger a headache?
Yes. Stress and muscle tension may contribute to certain headaches.
Is every severe headache a migraine?
No. Migraine is one possible cause of significant headache pain, but other conditions can also cause severe headaches. A new or unusually severe headache deserves appropriate evaluation.
Can migraines cause nausea?
Yes. Nausea and sensitivity to light or sound can occur during migraine attacks.
Should I keep track of recurring headaches?
A headache diary may help identify patterns involving sleep, hydration, meals, stress, medications, and other potential triggers.
What if my headache feels different than usual?
A significant change in your normal headache pattern should be discussed with a healthcare provider. A sudden or dramatically severe headache, particularly with neurological symptoms, requires emergency evaluation.
When should I call 911?
Call 911 immediately for a headache accompanied by sudden one-sided weakness or numbness, new speech difficulty, seizure, loss of consciousness, severe confusion, sudden major vision loss, or other life-threatening neurological symptoms.
Compliance Statement
UrgentCare2Go provides mobile medical care for eligible non-emergency illnesses and conditions. Evaluation, testing, and treatment recommendations are based on provider assessment and clinical judgment. Availability of specific medications, testing, and other services may vary according to patient needs, clinical appropriateness, provider capabilities, and service area.
UrgentCare2Go mobile visits are not a substitute for emergency neurological care. A sudden extremely severe headache, new neurological symptoms, loss of consciousness, seizure, or another medical emergency requires immediate emergency evaluation. Call 911 when appropriate.
Schedule Your Visit
A headache can make even ordinary tasks feel difficult. Healthcare comes to you.