Headaches that reach a peak intensity in seconds to minutes, or sudden onset of the worst headache of your life
Headaches triggered by coughing, bending over, sexual activity, or other physical exertion
Headaches that begin or increase after trauma to the head or neck
Focal neurologic symptoms such as speech difficulties, balance problems, visual changes, and numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
Memory loss and/or confusion
Onset of headaches after age forty
Headaches that are not your usual type of headaches; i.e., there is a change in the pattern of underlying headache
Abnormal neurologic examination, as performed by a physician
Symptoms of other serious illness
Headaches associated with neck stiffness
Headaches associated with fever
Headaches occurring for the first time in any patient, but especially in childhood or after the age of fifty
