Q With what kind of headache symptoms should I go to the emergency room instead of a Korean medicine clinic?
A Thunderclap headache, high fever with neck stiffness and headache, one-sided paralysis or speech difficulty with headache, headache after head trauma, and visual disturbance with headache all require an immediate trip to the emergency room. A tension headache without these warning signs is suitable for Korean medicine treatment.
Detailed Answer
Headache Red Flags Requiring Immediate Emergency Care
- Thunderclap headache: the worst headache of your life within seconds (suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage)
- Signs of meningeal irritation: high fever + neck stiffness + headache (suspected meningitis)
- Neurological symptoms: accompanied by one-sided paralysis, speech difficulty, or visual field loss (suspected stroke)
- Headache after trauma: headache that develops after a head injury (suspected subdural hematoma)
- Progressive worsening: a headache that worsens weekly and wakes you in the early morning or during sleep (suspected increased intracranial pressure)
Dongjedang Guidance
If you have a bilateral, pressing tension headache without the above signs, you can be safely treated at Dongjedang. If in doubt, we recommend a neurology examination before visiting.
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