[23F] Sudden severe headache with trouble walking and balance issues

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Migraine: A type of headache characterized by severe, throbbing pain usually on one side of the head. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can cause intense pain for hours to days.

  • Treatment typically includes pain relievers and medications to prevent more attacks.

• Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and it causes a constant ache and pressure around the head, temples, and back of the head. It is often associated with stress, anxiety, or depression.

  • Treatment includes pain relievers, stress management, and lifestyle changes.

• Cluster Headache: This is a rare type of headache that is marked by severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head, often around the eye. It is often accompanied by a runny or blocked nose, and a drooping or swelling eye on the same side of the face as the headache.

  • Treatment includes oxygen therapy, triptan medications, and local anesthetics.

• Stroke: A serious condition where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, leading to brain damage. Symptoms include sudden severe headache, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, and sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech.

  • Treatment involves urgent medical attention and can include clot-busting drugs, clot removal, or surgery.

What you can do

Given the severity of your headache and the associated symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. If you are alone, please call 911 or your local emergency number. If you are with someone, have them take you to the nearest emergency department.

What you should look out for

Reasons to seek immediate medical attention:

• If your headache is sudden and severe
• If you have trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• If you have sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• If you have sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• If you have sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech

Please remember that I am an AI and this advice is based on the information you have provided. It is always important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.