Signs Your Headache Is Signaling an Emergency

Most headaches are harmless, but some signal stroke, vision loss, or bleeding in the brain.

3/13/2026|Updated: 6/22/2026

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A middle-aged man in his early 50s suddenly developed cold-like symptoms accompanied by headache, nausea, and vomiting. Attributing his discomfort to fatigue and irregular eating habits, he assumed rest would lead to recovery.

Several days later, however, his vision began to deteriorate. By the time he sought medical care, he had already lost more than half of his vision, and the optimal window for treatment had passed, said Jonathan Liu, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and contributor to The Epoch Times. The man was diagnosed with acute angle-closure glaucoma, a condition that can show up as a sudden headache and nausea.

While many headaches are benign, some signal serious underlying disorders affecting the eyes, brain, blood vessels, and spine. Recognizing the warning signs—and seeking timely medical care—can mean the difference between recovery and irreversible damage, Liu said.

Potentially Dangerous Causes of Headaches

Liu outlined several types of headaches that require prompt medical attention.

1. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

The hallmark symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma include sudden and severe pain in the eyes and head. The pain tends to radiate along the eye socket and brow toward the forehead or temples and is commonly described as sharp, pounding, or explosive, Liu said.

Those with acute angle-closure glaucoma may also have red eyes and congestion, rapid vision loss, and, in severe cases, sudden blindness. These symptoms are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Headaches accompanied by visual impairment need immediate medical attention, Lui said. If pressure on the eye is not reduced promptly, there can be permanent damage to the optic nerve.

2. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage causes an intense headache, often described as the worst headache of someone’s life. It is frequently accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

The pain stems from bleeding in the space between the membranes that surround the brain. Huang Huilun, a physician in the Department of Family Medicine at Ton-Yen General Hospital in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times that common causes include a ruptured aneurysm in the brain and arteriovenous malformations.

When the amount of bleeding is small, a person may remain conscious but appear sluggish or slow to respond. In more severe cases, they can suddenly lose consciousness. Other symptoms include a stiff neck, drooping eyelids, and double vision.

Cerebral aneurysms often produce few noticeable symptoms before they rupture. Once ruptured, sudden bleeding may follow, especially in people aged 40 to 50.

Arteriovenous malformations, on the other hand, are congenital abnormalities of the cerebral blood vessels.

Head trauma, blood disorders, and the use of anticoagulant medications can also lead to intracranial bleeding.

3. Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

The symptoms of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage are similar to those of subarachnoid hemorrhage. They include a severe headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, and in some cases, rapid loss of consciousness.

Approximately 80 percent of intracerebral hemorrhage cases are associated with long-term poor blood pressure control or fragile blood vessels, Huang said. This condition is associated with high mortality and disability rates, but the earlier the treatment, the better the outcome is.

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage most commonly affects people over 60 with a long history of hypertension or atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries from plaque buildup, Liu said.

4. Cervicogenic Headache and Cerebrovascular Disease

Not all serious headaches are sudden or explosive. Some develop gradually and are associated with chronic neck and upper spine strain.

Cervicogenic headaches are typically associated with degenerative or functional changes in the cervical spine, located in the neck, particularly involving the first through third vertebrae, Liu said. These headaches are often paired with neck stiffness and pain radiating to the back of the head.

Liu described a former senior manager who was stressed by his job for many years. In his early fifties, he suffered a lacunar stroke—a blood clot that forms in a small blood vessel deep in the brain. In addition to being at risk for vascular issues, a medical evaluation suggested that chronic tension in his neck may have reduced the flow of blood to his head.

Major blood vessels supplying the brain—including the carotid and vertebral arteries—run close to the cervical spine. The vertebral arteries, in particular, pass through small openings in the cervical vertebrae. Persistent muscle tension, bone overgrowth, or postural imbalance may, in some cases, affect blood flow.

The brain uses approximately 20 percent of the body’s metabolic energy. During periods of intense mental exertion or sustained stress, it uses even more energy. If the blood supply to the brain is too low for too long, it can impair cerebral function and contribute to headache symptoms.

Addressing cervical tension, posture, and vascular health may reduce both headache frequency and long-term risk of impaired cerebral function.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing headaches and intracranial hemorrhage largely involves reducing the risk of blood vessels rupturing and severe bleeding.

Huang recommends taking the following measures:

1. Manage the ‘Three Highs’

Control blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipid levels through regular monitoring and appropriate management.

2. Monitor Aneurysm Risk

Those with a family history of aneurysms or a known aneurysm should get regular examinations.

3. Follow Up on Cerebrovascular Abnormalities

People with known structural abnormalities or malformations of the brain’s blood vessels should have ongoing checkups to assess whether treatment is necessary.

4. Prevent Head Injuries

Avoid high-risk activities and take appropriate safety measures. Avoiding falls is particularly important for older people and those who are frail.

5. Use Blood Thinners Carefully

Take medications strictly as prescribed. Regularly monitor the liver and kidneys, check blood counts, and take blood clotting tests.

6. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Adopt a healthy lifestyle by not smoking, managing your weight, getting regular exercise, managing stress, and establishing healthy sleep habits.

Improving Headaches Through Acupressure

As part of daily self-care, Liu recommends massaging specific acupoints along the back of the neck to promote circulation and relieve tension.

Use your thumbs to apply firm pressure until you feel a mild soreness. Massage each point for one to two minutes, once or twice daily, while breathing slowly and deeply.

Wind Palace (DU16)

Also known as the Feng Fu acupoint, it is located along the midline at the back of the head, just above the hairline, in a depression near the first cervical vertebra, the vertebra closest to the skull.

The Epoch Times

Wind Pool (GB20)

Also known as the Feng Chi acupoint, it is located on either side of the Feng Fu acupoint, in depressions above the hairline at the base of the skull. This acupoint is commonly used to relax tense muscles and ease headaches and dizziness.

The Epoch Times

Celestial Pillar (BL10)

Also known as the Tian Zhu acupoint, it is located on both sides of the back of the neck, at the hairline, in depressions along the outer edge of the trapezius muscle (a large muscle that extends to the base of the skull). Stimulating this point may help relieve neck stiffness and discomfort in the back of the head.

The Epoch Times

Hundred Taxations (EX-HN17)

Also known as the Bai Lao acupoint, it is located approximately two finger-widths above the seventh cervical vertebra at the base of the neck, and about one finger-width on either side of the spine. To locate the seventh cervical vertebra, gently lower the head and identify the most prominent bony protrusion at the back of the neck.

Stimulating this point may help relieve neck soreness, shoulder stiffness, and headaches associated with prolonged desk work or study.

The Epoch Times

Dietary Strategies

TCM holds that medicine and food share a common origin. Herbal food therapies and medicinal teas are sometimes used as complementary approaches to relieve tension headaches and support blood flow.

Cinnamon Twig and Kudzu Root Decoction

Liu recommends a decoction of cinnamon twig and kudzu root, also known as the guizhi-plus-gegen decoction, for certain constitutions. This TCM herbal formula uses warming herbs to relieve neck stiffness, promote circulation, and ease headache symptoms associated with muscle tension.

Ingredients

1.1 ounces kudzu root (Gegen)
0.4 ounce cinnamon twig (Guizhi)
0.4 ounces white peony root (Baishao)
0.2 ounces fresh ginger (Shengjiang)
0.4 ounces Chinese jujube (Dazao)

Instructions

Rinse all ingredients thoroughly.
Place them in a pot and add approximately 68 ounces of water.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Strain and drink as a tea twice daily.

This formula is commonly used for people with a slender build, fair complexion, and a tendency to sweat easily. In TCM theory, these traits are associated with specific constitutions. Pregnant women should consult a qualified TCM practitioner before use.

Kudzu root is also beneficial for office workers who sit for extended periods and engage in minimal physical activity.

A 2025 review indicated that kudzu root may help regulate blood pressure and blood glucose, and may help protect the brain.

Note: Some herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar, but they are generally available in health food stores and Asian grocery stores. It is important to note that treatment methods may vary from person to person. Please consult with a health care professional for a specific treatment plan.

Certain Foods to Include

A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats plays an important role in protecting heart and brain health.

Dietary sources of omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids—including flaxseed oil, perilla seed oil, camellia oil, and olive oil—may also support vascular health.

It’s best to limit highly processed foods and those that are high in sodium and fat, Yiling Huang, a registered dietitian and founder of Koii Nutrition Counseling Center in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times.

Vinegar-Soaked Peanuts

Because vascular health plays a central role in preventing hemorrhagic headaches and strokes, Liu recommends eating vinegar-soaked peanuts.

Ingredients

3 to 4 1/2 cups raw peanuts
Rice vinegar or black vinegar (enough to submerge)

Instructions

Place raw peanuts in a wide-mouth glass jar.
Add vinegar until the peanuts are fully submerged.
Seal the jar tightly and allow the peanuts to soak for one week.
Once ready, eat 10 peanuts in the morning and 10 peanuts in the evening daily.

Research also suggests that eating peanuts can benefit cardiovascular health. A 2022 randomized controlled trial published in Nutrients found that participants who ate lightly salted, dry-roasted peanuts experienced an average reduction of 5 mmHg in systolic blood pressure compared with a low-fat diet control group. The study authors estimated that this drop was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of major cardiovascular events.