A doctor has shared vital advice about recognising when a headache needs urgent hospital treatment rather than just paracetamol and rest.
Dr Raj Arora posted on social media to highlight three dangerous headache patterns that people must never ignore.
She wants everyone to know the difference between everyday headaches and those that could signal brain bleeding, stroke or meningitis.
"Obviously, I don't want to scare you. Headaches usually are harmless," the doctor said, but certain symptoms mean you need to get to A&E straight away.
Thunderclap pain could mean bleeding in the brain
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Her warning focuses on specific red flags that could save lives if spotted quickly. The first danger sign is a sudden, excruciating headache that strikes like lightning at the back of your head.
"It feels like someone's hit you with a bat," Dr Arora explained, warning that this thunderclap pain could mean bleeding in the brain.
This type of headache might indicate a subarachnoid haemorrhage - a serious brain bleed that needs immediate treatment.
"You must go and see your doctor immediately, get yourself to A&E," she urged, emphasising that quick action could prevent permanent brain damage.
It's the sudden intensity that makes this headache so different from regular ones. When headaches come with other worrying symptoms, it could mean you're having a stroke.
Dr Arora warns that if you experience numbness, struggle to speak clearly, feel weakness in your arms, have vision troubles or can't keep your balance alongside a headache, you need help fast.
These neurological problems, combined with head pain, might indicate either a blood clot or bleeding in the brain.
"Call 999 and get yourself up to A&E," the doctor advised, stressing that doctors need to quickly work out what type of stroke it might be.
Getting treatment quickly is crucial for the best possible recovery. The third red flag combines headaches with a stiff neck and high temperature - classic signs of meningitis.
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Dr Arora reassured that most headaches remain benign
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This serious infection can be deadly without quick antibiotic treatment, and while it affects people of all ages, it's more common in teenagers and young adults.
Dr Arora wants to reassure people that most headaches aren't dangerous - whether they're tension headaches, clusters, migraines or stress-related pain.
These everyday headaches usually get better with rest and standard painkillers.
She suggests seeing your GP if you're worried about regular headaches, but stresses that any of these three red flag combinations means heading straight to A&E.