About Severe Headache
Key Highlights
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Accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of severe head pain.Personalized treatment plan combining medication, lifestyle, and preventive strategies.Expert management by a specialist trained in disorders of the brain and nervous system.Potential to significantly reduce headache frequency, intensity, and duration.Improved daily functioning and quality of life through effective symptom control.
Who is this surgery for?
- Sudden, severe headache often described as "the worst headache of my life."
- Headache accompanied by neurological symptoms like confusion, weakness, numbness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking.
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, rash, or following a head injury.
- Chronic, frequent, or debilitating headaches that disrupt daily activities.
- Headaches that are new or have changed in pattern, frequency, or severity.
- Headaches that do not respond adequately to over-the-counter pain medications.
How to prepare
- Keep a detailed headache diary noting frequency, duration, intensity, triggers, and associated symptoms.
- Compile a list of all current medications, supplements, and allergies.
- Bring any previous medical records, imaging reports (like CT or MRI scans), and test results.
- Be prepared to discuss personal and family medical history in detail.
- For specific diagnostic tests (like a lumbar puncture), follow the neurologist's instructions regarding fasting or medication adjustments.
Risks & possible complications
- Risks are primarily associated with diagnostic procedures or treatments, not the evaluation itself.
- For medications: Side effects like drowsiness, nausea, weight changes, or dependency (for some pain relievers).
- For procedures like lumbar puncture: Headache, infection, bleeding, or nerve injury.
- For imaging tests: Allergic reaction to contrast dye or minimal radiation exposure (CT scan).
- Potential for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis if symptoms are atypical.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Recovery depends entirely on the diagnosis and treatment plan. There is no single "procedure" to recover from.
- For medication-based management, follow the prescribed regimen precisely and report any side effects.
- Implement recommended lifestyle changes such as stress management, regular sleep, hydration, and dietary adjustments.
- Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
- Use the headache diary to track response to treatment and identify ongoing triggers.
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Typical hospital stay: Typically 0 days (outpatient). Hospitalization may be required for severe underlying conditions.
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Expected recovery time: Varies widely; acute treatment can provide relief in hours to days, while managing chronic conditions is an ongoing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering severe headache in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for severe headache in India include KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform severe headache. MediFyr helps you compare neurologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for severe headache compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 1.5 Thousand – 5 Thousand | Typically 0 days (outpatient). Hospitalization may be required for severe underlying conditions. | ~ Varies widely; acute treatment can provide relief in hours to days, while managing chronic conditions is an ongoing process. | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 5.25 Thousand – 17.5 Thousand | Typically 0 days (outpatient). Hospitalization may be required for severe underlying conditions. | ~ Varies widely; acute treatment can provide relief in hours to days, while managing chronic conditions is an ongoing process. | Know More |
Top hospitals for Severe Headache in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurology teams and experience managing patients undergoing severe headache.
Myra Ali, a 42-year-old single mother...
Myra Ali, a 42-year-old single mother and high school teacher, had been managing stress headaches for years. Over the past three months, her headaches transformed into a severe, unrelenting, throbbing pain on the right side of her head, accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. They were now occurring 15 days a month, forcing her to miss work and struggle to care for her two children. Her primary care physician referred her to a neurologist. The neurologist diagnosed her with Chronic Migraine and recommended a course of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibody injections, a preventive treatment. Myra was anxious about the self-injection but desperate for relief. After the first injection, she experienced mild injection site redness. Within four weeks, her headache days were cut in half. After three months, she was down to 2-3 manageable headaches a month. Emotionally, she moved from a state of despair and feeling like a burden to her family to one of regained control and hope. She could engage fully with her children and her passion for teaching again.
Neurologists for Severe Headache
Explore experienced neurologists who regularly perform severe headache and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 46 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 26 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 5 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 3 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 7 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida