When Is Cervicogenic Headache Serious?

It is reasonable to ask when a headache that seems to start in the neck calls for more than waiting. Putting your notes in the right order makes that conversation with a clinician easier.

When a headache calls for a closer look

MedlinePlus says that sometimes headaches warn of a more serious disorder. That is why any headache that feels new, different or worse than your usual pattern is worth describing to a clinician rather than guessing about on your own.

How the neck fits into the picture

Spine-health's article on the causes of neck pain says the stresses it describes can also lead to a tension headache or cervicogenic headache. So the neck can be part of a headache story. Which kind you have gets sorted out at the exam.

Steps to take before your appointment

1. Record when each headache began and how long it lasted.
2. Note any neck pain or stiffness that came before or alongside it.
3. Write down anything that changed recently, including new symptoms elsewhere in the body.
4. List the medicines you use for headaches and how often.
5. Read the Cleveland Clinic migraine overview and the MedlinePlus pain page for background, and look at the American Academy of Pain Medicine site for the field itself.

When a headache needs prompt attention

A clear timeline helps more than a long list of worries. Contact a clinician soon about a headache that is sudden, severe or unlike any before. In Bloomfield, as anywhere, urgent symptoms deserve urgent care.