[49F] Experiencing headache, numbness, and general malaise

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, several conditions could be causing your discomfort:

• Migraine: A type of headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities.

  • Treatment typically involves pain relieving medications and preventive medications.

• Tension headache: Often described as a constant band-like pain around the head, tension headaches are often associated with muscle tightness in the neck and scalp. They can be triggered by stress, anxiety, or depression.

  • Treatment usually involves pain relievers, stress management techniques, and sometimes antidepressants.

• Viral infection: Your symptoms of fever, body aches, and fatigue could be due to a viral infection, such as the flu. This would not explain your headache and facial numbness, however.

  • Treatment for a viral infection usually involves rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms.

• Trigeminal neuralgia: This condition affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, even mild stimulation of your face — such as from brushing your teeth or putting on makeup — might trigger a jolt of excruciating pain.

  • Treatment options include medications, injections, and in some cases, surgery.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and other conditions could also explain your symptoms.

What you can do

Given the severity and persistence of your symptoms, it's important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. In the meantime, here are some things you can do:

1. Rest and stay hydrated. This can help your body recover if you have a viral infection.
2. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage your headache and body aches.
3. Try to avoid any known headache triggers, such as certain foods, smells, or excessive noise or light.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• A sudden, severe headache like a thunderclap
• A headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or speaking difficulties
• A headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
• A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement
• New headache pain if you're over 50

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.