Learn about Severe Headache Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Severe Headache and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Severe Headache

A severe headache is not a single procedure but a symptom requiring comprehensive neurological evaluation and management by a neurologist. The process involves a detailed medical history, neurological examination, and often diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause, such as migraine, cluster headache, tension headache, or more serious conditions like intracranial hemorrhage or tumor. Treatment is tailored to the diagnosis and may include acute pain relief medications, preventive therapies, lifestyle modifications, and patient education. The goal is to accurately diagnose the root cause, provide effective relief, and implement strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of future episodes, improving the patient's overall quality of life.

Key Highlights

    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.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: Typically 0 days (outpatient). Hospitalization may be required for severe underlying conditions.
  • checked 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.

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 USD 16 – USD 54 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 USD 121 – USD 403 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.

Manipal Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon60 Doctors

Artemis Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon141 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Rangapani

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon13 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Goa

  • IconPanaji, India
  • Icon79 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Whitefield

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Patiala

  • IconPatiala, India
  • Icon52 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon129 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Vijayawada

  • Iconvijayawada, India
  • Icon21 Doctors

KMC Hospital Mangalore

  • IconMangalore, India
  • Icon38 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Jayanagar

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon57 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Ranchi

  • IconRanchi, India
  • Icon41 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Jaipur

  • IconJaipur, India
  • Icon55 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors

Medanta The Medicity

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon900 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

Had my gallbladder out last week....

Had my gallbladder out last week. The surgery itself was fine, but the first two days after were rough. Dr. Madhumitha was really on top of my pain meds, adjusting them a few times until it was manageable. She checked on me every morning and evening at MGM, which helped a lot. I'm home now and the recovery is going okay, just taking it slow.

Neurologists for Severe Headache

Explore experienced neurologists who regularly perform severe headache and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Nilotpal Dutta
  • 7 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, English, Hindi, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Khushbu Goel
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mahesh Jadhav
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kharadi

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. S. Murali
  • 30 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rajesh B. Iyer
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Millers Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shiva Kumar R
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Amlan Tapan Mohapatra
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Raghavendra S
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Millers Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shankha Shubhra Chaudhuri
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospitals Broadway

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Zk Misri
  • 26 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus KMC Hospital Mangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Murali Chekuri
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Vijayawada

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Srinivas  Raju
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Doddaballapur

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Swati Sharma
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mohit Anand
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Artemis Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Kishore
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sampurna Chowdhury
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mukundapur

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Radhika Manohar
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Bhushan Joshi
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kharadi

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Arpita Shivastava
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus KMC Hospital Mangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated