Symptom Checker

  • When to seek medical advice

    • Get emergency medical care if your child's headache:

    • Is sudden and severe or the "worst headache ever"
    • Is accompanied by a fever, nausea or vomiting not related to a known illness
    • Is accompanied by stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking
    • Follows a head injury, fall or bump

    Get prompt medical care if your child's headache:

    • Gets worse despite rest and over-the-counter pain medication

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  • View possible
    causes

Headaches

Find possible causes of headaches based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

  • Extreme

  • Mild to moderate

  • Moderate to severe

  • Pressure or squeezing sensation

  • Stabbing or burning

  • Throbbing

  • Around one eye or radiates from one eye

  • Behind eyes or radiates from eyes

  • On both sides of head

  • On one side of head

  • Is gradual

  • Is preceded by head injury or fall

  • Is preceded by visual or other sensory disturbances

  • Is sudden

  • Several hours to several days

  • Several minutes to a few hours

  • Gradually becomes more frequent

  • Is daily

  • Is often in the morning

  • Is often the same time every day

  • Change in sleep patterns

  • Clenching or grinding teeth

  • Everyday activities

  • Hormonal changes

  • Poor posture

  • Stress

  • Lying down in the dark

  • Over-the-counter pain medication

  • Rest

  • Achy joints or muscles

  • Change in personality, behaviors or mental status

  • Confusion

  • Difficulty speaking

  • Dizziness

  • Fever

  • Jaw pain

  • Memory loss or forgetfulness

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Persistent weakness

  • Restlessness or agitation

  • Ringing in ears

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Seizures

  • Sensitivity to light or noise

  • Stiff neck

  • Vision problems

  • Weakness on one side of body

 

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