TikTok: 3 Migraine Red Flags You Must Not Ignore
Dr Nor Faizal shares three migraine warning signs that require urgent neurological review — a quick, practical guide from the clinic.
· Updated 5 April 2025
3 Migraine Red Flags — Watch Before You Dismiss That Headache
Not all headaches are created equal. In this short TikTok, Dr Nor Faizal highlights the three warning signs that should prompt an urgent visit rather than another painkiller.
The three red flags explained
1. Thunderclap headache
A headache that reaches peak intensity within 60 seconds — often described as “the worst headache of my life” — can signal a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This is a medical emergency.
2. Headache with fever and neck stiffness
The combination of severe headache, high fever, and an inability to tuck your chin to your chest suggests meningitis. Go to A&E immediately.
3. New neurological symptoms alongside headache
Any headache accompanied by sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech, double vision, or loss of coordination needs same-day assessment.
When it is probably a migraine
Classic migraine features that are less immediately alarming (but still worth treating properly):
- Throbbing, usually one-sided pain lasting 4–72 hours
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Relief with rest in a dark, quiet room
- A predictable pattern you have experienced before
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