But sometimes a headache is more than just a pain in the head. Normally, a headache is no cause for alarm. It just means you're tired, tense or have had a difficult day. But there are times when a bad headache could be a sign of something much more serious. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say the main difference between an ordinary headache and something serious is how quickly the headache occurs.
Most headaches start gradually, building from tension to a pulsing or throbbing sensation.
But if a headache starts suddenly so that the pain almost feels like a gunshot, it could be more serious, even deadly. You should seek medical attention. The symptoms that come with a headache are also good clues. These symptoms along with a headache could indicate an aneurysm, stroke or an illness such as meningitis. Even if you don't have headaches with scary symptoms like these, talk to your doctor if you have recurring headaches or headaches that last a long time.