Neurologist explains the warning signs for headache that can 'kill you in hours'

Being struck down by a splitting headache might make you want to lie down in a dark room for days on end - but on some occasions, that might be an ill-advised decision.

That's because the source of it might be more sinister than you initially assume, and according to this neurologist, it could 'kill you in hours' if you don't seek medical attention.

So although skulking off to your bedroom for a bit of peace and quiet to ride it out might seem appealing, you'd be best off staying in the vicinity of someone to be on the safe side.

Humans can get headaches for loads of reasons - such as stress, dehydration, eyesight issues and even poor posture.

They tend to go away on their own and often aren't a sign of something serious, while taking paracetamol or ibuprofen can also help ease the pain.

The NHS suggests drinking plenty of water, resting, relaxing and dosing yourself up to try and combat the pounding in your head. Hopefully, that should do the trick.

But if these remedies do little to ease your headache or it suddenly starts to get worse, you should get yourself checked out.

It might just be a migraine or a cluster headache that is tormenting you, however, it could also be a sign that a potentially deadly infection is taking hold of your body.

Dr Baibing Chen explained that you 'should not ignore' this and take yourself off to bed, as time is of the essence and it is a medical 'emergency'.

The neurologist, who is based in the US state of Michigan, explained that if you are suffering from a severe headache that seems to be becoming progressively worse, it might be a sign you have contracted meningitis.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the pain in your head may be intolerable and it can also 'spread down your back or to other parts of your body'.

"It may be almost impossible to move your neck in certain ways," it explains. "Some people have mild pain. Don’t wait for severe pain to see your healthcare provider if you have other symptoms of meningitis."

The NHS also concurs, describing this headache as 'severe'.

Other symptoms to keep an eye out for include, a high temperature, very cold hands and feet, a stiff neck, joint and muscle pain and eye pain when looking at bright lights.

Some people also experience seizures, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, being very sleepy or difficult to wake, as well as spots or a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.

If you encounter any of these symptoms in conjunction with a debilitating headache, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Earlier this week, Dr Chen shared a TikTok video explaining that this is the 'one headache you should not ignore'.

The medic - who describes himself as a physician-scientist, biostatistician and brain health advocate - told his 288,000 followers: "Most headaches are none emergencies, but meningitis is different.

"Meningitis is an infection or inflammation of the protective lining around your brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by things like viruses, bacteria or even fungi.

"The bacterial form of meningitis is the one that scares us the most, because it can become life-threatening, very quickly," Dr Chen continued.

"That's also one reason [that] vaccines against bacteria have saved countless lives by preventing some of the most dangerous forms of bacterial meningitis.

"Early on, meningitis can look like common viral illnesses and that's one reason that people sometimes wait too long before seeking medical care.

"Getting evaluated and treated early gives doctors the best chance to identify the cause and start the right treatment as quickly as possible."

Meningitis 'can be very serious and even life-threatening if not treated quickly', according to the NHS, which is why the neurologist is urging people to act promptly if they suspect they might have the deadly infection.

The Meningitis Research Foundation also states: "Someone who has meningitis or sepsis can become seriously ill very quickly, so always trust your instincts and get medical help fast by speaking to a health professional."