[Headache patient at the emergency call service].

Headache is a common symptom, sometimes concealing a severe illness. It is the primary task of the doctor on call to find out whether the headache is a symptom of serious incidence needing diagnosis urgently to prevent death or permanent disability. Dangerous headaches are associated with easily remembered warning signs: sudden onset, the first or worst headache in life, disturbance of consciousness in connection with the headache, onset at age over 50, worsening of headache in the lying position, a neurological deficit associated with the headache, or papilledema.