What to do for headache, stomachache, heaviness, and difficulty breathing?

Immediate Assessment for Serious Causes

You need urgent medical evaluation in an emergency department or urgent care clinic today because the combination of headache, stomach pain, and difficulty breathing requires immediate assessment to rule out life-threatening conditions. 1, 2

Critical Warning Signs Present

Your symptom combination raises concern for secondary headache disorders that require immediate workup:

• Difficulty breathing with headache is a red flag that could indicate serious conditions including intracranial pathology, infection (meningitis, COVID-19), or cardiopulmonary emergencies 3, 1
• Multiple system involvement (neurologic, respiratory, gastrointestinal) suggests a systemic process rather than benign primary headache 1, 2
• Heaviness and breathing difficulty warrant evaluation for hypoxemia, respiratory compromise, or increased intracranial pressure 3

What to Do Right Now

Go to the emergency department immediately if you have any of these:

• Severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath at rest 3
• Confusion, altered consciousness, or difficulty staying awake 3, 1
• Fever with headache and neck stiffness 1, 2
• Sudden severe "thunderclap" headache (worst headache of your life) 1, 2
• Visual changes, weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking 1, 2
• Persistent vomiting 2

Seek same-day medical evaluation (urgent care or your doctor) if:

• You can breathe but feel heaviness in your chest 3
• Headache is new or different from your usual headaches 1, 2
• Symptoms started suddenly within the past 24-48 hours 3, 2

What the Doctor Will Need to Evaluate

The medical provider will need to determine if this is a dangerous secondary headache or a primary headache disorder:

• Physical examination including vital signs (oxygen saturation, blood pressure, temperature), neurological examination, and assessment of breathing pattern 3, 1, 2
• Possible testing may include head CT scan if red flags are present, chest imaging if respiratory symptoms are prominent, or lumbar puncture if infection is suspected 3, 1, 2
• Laboratory work including complete blood count and inflammatory markers if infection or systemic illness is suspected 3

Temporary Measures While Seeking Care

While arranging immediate medical evaluation:

• Sit upright rather than lying flat, which helps with breathing 3
• Avoid eating or drinking in case procedures are needed 3
• Have someone accompany you or call emergency services if symptoms worsen 3
• Do not take any medications until evaluated, as this may mask important diagnostic signs 1, 2

Why This Cannot Wait

The combination of symptoms you describe does not fit typical patterns of benign primary headaches (migraine, tension-type, cluster headache), which generally present with headache as the predominant feature and normal physical examination between attacks 3, 4, 5. Your breathing difficulty and stomach pain suggest either a systemic illness or a secondary headache disorder requiring urgent diagnosis 1, 2.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not assume this is just stress or anxiety - breathing difficulty with headache requires medical evaluation 3, 1
• Do not take opioid pain medications if you have them at home, as they can worsen breathing problems and mask serious conditions 3
• Do not delay seeking care hoping symptoms will resolve on their own 1, 2