What may increase your risk for a problem from a headache?
Content provided by Healthwise
What may increase your risk for a problem from a headache?
Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your doctor.
Conditions
- Age older than 60
- A history of a brain tumor
- A history of physical or sexual abuse
- A personal or family history of depression or anxiety attacks
- Pregnancy
- Previous brain surgery
- Previous surgery to remove the spleen
- Travel to an altitude higher than
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Excessive caffeine use or caffeine withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
- Smoking or other tobacco use
Medicines
- Birth control pills (oral contraceptive)
- Blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, heparin, or aspirin
- Cardiac medicines, such as nitroglycerin
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Hormone therapy, such as estrogen or progestin
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
- Radiation therapy
Diseases
- Anemia
- Arthritis
- Brain tumor
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Mental health problems, such as anxiety disorders or depression
- Seizure disorder
- Sinus disease
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke
- Giant cell arteritis
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Credits
| Author | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated | July 12, 2006 |
| Last updated: | July 12, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
© 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.
Search
Where Does it Hurt?
If you're experiencing aches and pains we can help you find answers. Find out what your symptoms mean for your health.
