Headache Treatment in Naperville IL — An Integrative Approach to Lasting Relief

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What Type of Headache Do You Have?

This matters more than most people think. Different headache types have different causes — and different causes need different treatments. Treating a cervicogenic headache the same way you’d treat a migraine is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken bone.

Tension Headaches

The most common type. You feel a dull, constant pressure — like a band squeezing around your head. These are almost always related to muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Poor posture, stress, and long hours at a desk are the usual suspects. Most tension headaches respond well to cervical treatment and acupuncture.

Cervicogenic Headaches

Here’s one most doctors miss. Cervicogenic headaches originate in the cervical spine — your neck — and refer pain up into the head. They’re often one-sided, start at the base of the skull, and get worse with certain neck movements. These headaches are directly caused by joint dysfunction, disc problems, or nerve irritation in the upper cervical spine. They will not respond to migraine medication because they’re not migraines.

Migraines

Migraines are a neurological event — not just a bad headache. They involve changes in brain chemistry, blood flow, and nerve signaling. You may experience throbbing pain (often one-sided), nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and sometimes visual disturbances called aura. Migraines can be triggered by hormones, food sensitivities, stress, sleep disruption, and cervical spine dysfunction.

Sinus Headaches

Pain and pressure around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes — typically worse when you bend forward. Here’s the catch: many so-called “sinus headaches” are actually migraines or cervicogenic headaches that mimic sinus symptoms. True sinus headaches involve an active sinus infection. If your “sinus headaches” keep coming back without infection, the problem is likely somewhere else.

TMJ-Related Headaches

Your jaw and your cervical spine are connected. When the temporomandibular joint — the TMJ — is dysfunctional, it creates tension in the muscles of the jaw, temple, and upper neck. This tension refers directly into the head. Clenching and grinding, especially at night, are major contributors. If you wake up with headaches, your jaw may be part of the problem.

Medication Overuse Headaches

This is the one nobody talks about. When you take headache medication more than 2-3 times per week — whether it’s Tylenol, Excedrin, triptans, or anything else — your brain starts to adapt. It actually becomes more sensitive to pain. So you take more medication. The cycle continues.

I see this pattern constantly. Patients come in taking daily medication and can’t understand why their headaches are getting worse. The medication is literally part of the problem.

When Headaches Are Primarily Neurological

Not all headaches are structural. Migraines, in particular, involve changes in brain chemistry that go beyond what an adjustment or muscle release can address.

Research has identified calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as a key driver in migraine attacks — it’s the molecule that dilates blood vessels and triggers the inflammatory cascade during an episode. In chronic migraine patients, the brainstem and trigeminal nerve system can become sensitized, meaning they overreact to stimuli that wouldn’t normally cause pain. This is called central sensitization, and it’s why some patients develop migraines from light, weather changes, or minor stress that never bothered them before.

This is exactly why acupuncture and neuromodulation (like Stimpod) are part of our headache treatment approach. Both therapies work on the neurological component — calming overactive nerve signaling, modulating pain pathways, and reducing the sensitization that keeps the migraine cycle going. Adjustment alone can’t do that. You need tools that speak the same language as the nervous system.

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Why This Matters for Treatment

Here’s the bottom line: there is no single treatment that works for all headache types.

If your headaches are caused by cervical spine dysfunction → you need spinal treatment, not more pills. If nerve irritation is the driver → neuromodulation and acupuncture may be more effective than adjustments alone. If your headaches are triggered by food sensitivities or nutritional deficiencies → no amount of spinal work will fully resolve them until you address the metabolic piece. If muscle tension and trigger points are the primary issue → soft tissue work combined with acupuncture targets the source. If TMJ dysfunction is contributing → the jaw and cervical spine need to be treated together.

This is why cookie-cutter approaches fail. And it’s why we evaluate every headache patient individually before recommending a treatment plan.

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What’s Actually Causing Your Headaches?

Most headache treatments fail because they never identify the cause. They just suppress the pain.

Structural causes — Misalignment in the upper cervical spine (C1-C2 area), disc bulging in the cervical region, forward head posture from desk work and phone use. Research shows that for every inch your head moves forward, it adds about 10 pounds of stress to your cervical spine. That constant strain creates joint dysfunction, muscle tension, and nerve irritation — all of which produce headaches.

Nerve irritation — The greater occipital nerve runs from the upper cervical spine up through the back of the head. When this nerve gets compressed or irritated, it can trigger pain that radiates from the base of the skull over the top of the head and behind the eyes. This is a textbook cervicogenic headache pattern, and it’s one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions I see.

Muscular tension and trigger points — Tight suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull, trigger points in the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid — these refer pain directly into the head. Chronic tension in these muscles often develops from postural habits, stress, and unresolved cervical spine issues.

Inflammation — Chronic low-grade inflammation in the cervical spine and surrounding tissues can sensitize nerves and lower your pain threshold. This is why some patients develop headaches from triggers that wouldn’t have bothered them years ago — their baseline inflammation has risen.

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The Hidden Headache Triggers Most Doctors Miss

This is where our approach really separates from everyone else in Naperville. Most headache clinics stop at the structural evaluation. We go further.

Food Sensitivities and Poor Digestion

Some chronic headaches have nothing to do with your spine. They’re driven by delayed food sensitivities — specifically IgG immune reactions that can take hours or even days to produce symptoms. Unlike a true food allergy (which is immediate and obvious), IgG reactions are slow and subtle. You eat something on Monday, and you have a headache on Wednesday. Good luck connecting those dots without testing.

Poor digestion compounds the problem. If your gut isn’t properly breaking down food, larger protein molecules can cross the intestinal lining, triggering immune responses that show up as headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and inflammation. This is the gut-brain connection that most conventional headache treatment completely ignores.

We offer IgG food sensitivity testing to identify your specific triggers. Once we know which foods are causing the reaction, we build a targeted elimination protocol.

These tests are used when structural treatment alone doesn’t fully resolve chronic headaches — not as a replacement for medical evaluation when red flags are present.

Nutritional Deficiency and Toxicity

Magnesium deficiency is one of the most well-documented nutritional triggers for migraines — and most Americans are deficient. B vitamins, CoQ10, and vitamin D also play documented roles in headache frequency.

On the flip side, environmental toxicity — heavy metals, chemical exposures, mold — can overload your body’s detoxification pathways and contribute to chronic headaches. We use hair analysis to assess both nutritional deficiencies and toxic element levels, giving us a picture of what’s happening at the cellular level that blood work alone can miss.

These aren’t fringe concepts. This is functional medicine applied to headache treatment. It’s just that most chiropractic and headache clinics don’t offer this level of testing.

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When Pain Pills and Injections Stop Working

Let me be straight with you. If you’ve been managing headaches with medication for years, at some point it stops being a solution and starts being part of the problem.

I see patients every week who’ve been through the cycle: over-the-counter painkillers → prescription medication → stronger prescription medication → Botox injections → still getting headaches. Each step treats the symptom. None of them asked why the headaches started in the first place.

Here’s what I tell my patients: medication has its place. For acute relief during a severe episode, it can be appropriate. But when you’re taking something every day or every week just to function, something deeper is going on. That’s when you need a different approach — one that actually investigates the root cause and addresses it.

That’s where we come in.

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How We Diagnose the Root Cause of Your Headaches in Naperville

Every headache patient at our clinic starts with a comprehensive evaluation. Not a five-minute exam with a prescription at the end.

X-ray analysis — We take and review cervical spine X-rays to assess alignment, disc spacing, and degenerative changes. Forward head posture, loss of cervical curve, and upper cervical misalignment all show up on imaging — and they’re all treatable.

Physical examination — Palpation of the cervical joints, assessment of range of motion, trigger point evaluation, TMJ screening, neurological testing. We’re looking for the specific structures creating your pain.

Health history review — When did the headaches start? How often? What makes them better or worse? What have you tried? Medications? Dietary patterns? Sleep quality? Stress levels? The details matter.

If I suspect your headaches require MRI, neurological evaluation, or specialist referral before treatment begins, we coordinate that immediately. Getting the right diagnostic workup first is more important than starting treatment fast.

Advanced testing when indicated — IgG food sensitivity panels, hair mineral and toxicity analysis, nutritional assessment. When structural treatment alone isn’t getting the results we expect, these tests often reveal the missing piece.

The goal isn’t just to diagnose your headache type. It’s to identify every contributing factor so we can build a treatment plan that actually resolves the problem.

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Headache Treatments Available at Our Naperville Clinic

Here’s what sets us apart: we don’t offer one treatment for headaches. We match the right combination of treatments to your specific condition. That’s the difference between temporary relief and lasting resolution.

Structural Correction

Chiropractic Adjustment

The foundation of headache treatment when cervical spine dysfunction is involved. Upper cervical adjustments — specifically targeting C1 and C2 — can immediately reduce nerve irritation and restore proper joint mechanics. For tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches, this is often the most impactful single treatment. We use both manual techniques and instrument-assisted methods depending on the patient and the condition.

Neurological Regulation

Acupuncture

Particularly effective for headaches. Acupuncture regulates the nervous system, reduces muscle tension, and modulates pain signaling — all mechanisms directly relevant to headache disorders. I often combine acupuncture with chiropractic care for headache patients because they target different pathways. The adjustment addresses the structural issue; acupuncture addresses the neurological and muscular components. For migraines specifically, research shows acupuncture can reduce headache frequency by 50% or more.

Inflammation and Tissue Healing

MLS Laser Therapy

When inflammation in the cervical region is contributing to headaches, MLS laser therapy reduces that inflammation at the cellular level. It’s particularly useful for patients who have chronic cervical muscle tension and trigger points that keep coming back after treatment. Sometimes I combine laser with acupuncture in the same session — the laser reduces inflammation while the acupuncture addresses the deeper neurological component.

Cervical Decompression

When disc problems in the neck are contributing to headaches — particularly cervicogenic headaches with nerve compression — cervical decompression creates negative pressure in the disc space, allowing bulging or herniated material to retract. This reduces pressure on the nerves that refer pain into the head. We were the first clinic in Illinois to offer spinal decompression therapy back in 2002, and we’ve treated thousands of patients since then.

SoftWave Therapy

SoftWave uses acoustic wave technology to stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair. For chronic cervical tension and trigger points that don’t respond to adjustment alone, SoftWave can break the cycle by addressing the tissue at a cellular level. We were the first clinic in Naperville to offer SoftWave therapy in August 2021.

Stimpod Neuromodulation

Stimpod delivers targeted electrical stimulation to peripheral nerves. For headaches involving occipital nerve irritation or cervical nerve dysfunction, Stimpod can calm the overactive nerve signaling that perpetuates the pain cycle. It’s non-invasive, well-tolerated, and works through a completely different mechanism than adjustment or acupuncture — which is why it adds value when those treatments alone aren’t enough.

Hakomed Therapy

Hakomed uses microcurrent therapy to address inflammation and pain. We offer both whole-body and targeted neck protocols. For headache patients with widespread inflammation or those who are sensitive to more aggressive treatments, Hakomed provides a gentle yet effective option that supports recovery between other treatments.

Systemic Contributors

Nutritional and Toxicity Testing

When structural treatment isn’t fully resolving chronic headaches, we look deeper. IgG food sensitivity testing identifies delayed immune reactions to specific foods. Hair mineral analysis reveals nutritional deficiencies (like magnesium and B vitamins) and toxic element exposure. These tests guide a targeted protocol — including dietary changes, supplementation, and our Synergy Cellular Reset program — to address the metabolic triggers that structural treatment alone can’t reach.

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Headache Treatment Comparison

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Why Different Headaches Need Different Treatments

This is the part most clinics get wrong. They offer one treatment — usually just adjustments or just medication — and apply it to every headache patient who walks in the door.

That doesn’t work. And here’s why:

If your headache is caused by upper cervical misalignment → chiropractic adjustment directly corrects the structural problem. If cervical disc herniation is compressing a nerve → decompression relieves pressure that adjustment alone cannot. If chronic inflammation in the cervical muscles is the driver → SoftWave and MLS laser break the inflammatory cycle. If the occipital nerve is irritated and overactive → Stimpod calms the nerve signaling that perpetuates the pain. If food sensitivities are triggering systemic inflammation → no amount of spinal treatment will resolve the headaches until you remove the dietary trigger. If nutritional deficiency (magnesium, B vitamins) is lowering your pain threshold → targeted supplementation changes the equation.

Most of my headache patients need a combination of 2-4 of these treatments, matched to their specific diagnosis. That’s not a guess — it’s based on a thorough evaluation, imaging when needed, and sometimes advanced testing.

This matching process — figuring out exactly which combination of treatments will work for your specific headache pattern — is what we do differently at our clinic.

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Are You a Good Candidate for Integrative Headache Treatment?

You May Be a Good Candidate If:

• You’ve had recurring headaches for months or years without lasting relief
• Over-the-counter or prescription medication isn’t working anymore (or never worked well)
• Your headaches seem connected to neck pain or stiffness
• You get headaches after long hours at a desk, in the car, or looking at screens
• You’ve been told your headaches are “just stress” but they feel like more than that
• You’ve tried other chiropractors or physical therapy without full resolution
• You suspect food or environmental factors may be contributing
• You want to reduce or eliminate headache medication

You May NOT Be a Good Candidate If:

• You have a sudden, severe headache unlike anything you’ve experienced before (seek emergency care)
• Your headaches started after a recent head injury and you haven’t been evaluated by a physician
• You have headaches with fever, stiff neck, confusion, or vision changes (seek emergency care)
• You’re looking only for medication management — we focus on treatment, not prescriptions
• You have a condition requiring neurological or surgical intervention that we’ve identified during evaluation

“Here’s what I tell my patients: if I don’t think we can help you, I’ll tell you directly. I’d rather refer you to a neurologist or another specialist who can help than waste your time and money on treatment that won’t work for your condition. We coordinate with neurologists, primary care physicians, and imaging centers when a headache case needs workup beyond what we provide in our clinic.”

🚨 When to Seek Emergency Care: A sudden, severe headache — especially one you’d describe as “the worst headache of my life” — requires immediate medical evaluation. Headaches accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, vision changes, weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking should be evaluated in an emergency room. These symptoms can indicate a serious neurological condition.

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What to Expect at Your First Headache Consultation

Your first visit is focused entirely on understanding your headaches — not rushing into treatment.

We start with a detailed conversation about your headache history: when they started, how often they occur, what they feel like, what triggers them, what makes them better or worse, and what you’ve already tried. The details you share help us narrow down the type and likely cause.

Next comes a hands-on examination. I’ll assess your cervical spine alignment, range of motion, muscle tension, trigger points, TMJ function, and neurological status. If X-rays are indicated, we’ll take them in-house.

Based on the evaluation, I’ll give you an honest assessment: what I think is driving your headaches, whether our approach can help, and what a treatment plan would look like. If I think you need a neurologist, an MRI, or a different type of provider, I’ll tell you that directly.

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just honest answers and a clear path forward.

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Why Naperville Patients Choose Our Clinic for Headache Relief

You have options when it comes to headache treatment. Here’s why patients choose us:

Dual credentials — I’m both a Doctor of Chiropractic and an Acupuncturist, which means I understand headaches from both the structural and neurological perspective. Most clinics can only address one piece of the puzzle.

10+ treatment modalities — From chiropractic adjustment and acupuncture to cervical decompression, SoftWave, MLS laser, Stimpod, Hakomed, and advanced nutritional testing. No other clinic in the area offers this range of headache treatments under one roof.

26+ years of experience — I’ve been treating headache patients in Naperville since 2000. I’ve seen thousands of cases and I know which treatment combinations work for which headache patterns.

Root cause approach — We don’t just treat the pain. We investigate the underlying cause — structural, neurological, and metabolic — and build a treatment plan that addresses all contributing factors.

Advanced diagnostics — X-ray analysis, IgG food sensitivity testing, hair mineral and toxicity analysis. We look where other clinics don’t.

Honest assessment — If I can’t help you, I’ll tell you. I’d rather point you toward the right provider than keep you coming back for treatment that isn’t working.

Serving Naperville and surrounding communities — including Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Oswego, Lisle, and Wheaton.

Choosing the Right Headache Specialist in Naperville

If you’re searching for the best headache treatment in Naperville, the most important factor isn’t a single treatment — it’s finding a provider who can accurately identify the cause of your headaches.

Many clinics offer only one type of treatment, whether that’s medication, chiropractic adjustments, or physical therapy. But headaches can come from multiple sources, including cervical spine dysfunction, nerve irritation, muscle tension, TMJ problems, or metabolic triggers like food sensitivities and nutritional deficiencies.

At Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic in Naperville, headache patients are evaluated for all of these factors before treatment begins. Dr. Jennifer Wise has more than 26 years of experience treating headache conditions, and combines chiropractic care, acupuncture, cervical decompression, neuromodulation therapies, and functional testing when appropriate.

The goal isn’t just temporary relief — it’s identifying the underlying cause and matching the right combination of treatments to the specific headache pattern.

If you’re looking for an experienced headache specialist in Naperville, scheduling a comprehensive evaluation is the first step toward lasting relief.

Need headache relief now? Visit our headache relief clinic in Naperville to learn what to expect and schedule your evaluation. Or call or text (630) 454-1300 to schedule a same-day appointment.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Headache Treatment in Naperville

Can a chiropractor really help with headaches?

Yes — and research supports it. Studies published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics show that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves both migraines and cervicogenic headaches. The key is accurate diagnosis. If your headaches involve cervical spine dysfunction, chiropractic treatment targets the actual cause rather than masking symptoms with medication.

What’s the difference between a tension headache and a migraine?

Tension headaches feel like constant pressure or tightness around the head, often related to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. Migraines are neurological events with throbbing pain (usually one-sided), nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Some migraines include visual disturbances called aura. The distinction matters because effective treatment depends on accurate diagnosis.

How do you know if my headaches are coming from my neck?

Cervicogenic headaches have specific patterns: they usually start at the base of the skull or upper neck, are often one-sided, and worsen with certain neck movements or sustained postures. During your evaluation, I’ll test specific cervical joints and movements to reproduce or reduce your headache pattern. X-rays help confirm structural issues. If treating the cervical spine reduces your headaches, that confirms the diagnosis.

Does acupuncture work for migraines?

Research consistently shows that acupuncture reduces migraine frequency. A Cochrane review — one of the highest levels of medical evidence — found that acupuncture was at least as effective as preventive migraine medication, with fewer side effects. In my practice, I often combine acupuncture with chiropractic care for migraine patients because they address different aspects of the condition.

Can food sensitivities cause headaches?

Absolutely. Delayed food sensitivities — IgG immune reactions — can trigger headaches hours or days after eating a reactive food. This makes them extremely difficult to identify without testing. Common triggers include dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, and certain food additives. We offer IgG food sensitivity testing to identify your specific triggers and build an elimination protocol.

What is a cervicogenic headache?

A cervicogenic headache is a headache that originates from the cervical spine — your neck. It’s caused by dysfunction in the cervical joints, discs, or muscles that refers pain into the head. These headaches are frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraines because the pain is felt in the head, not the neck. Proper cervical spine evaluation is the only way to identify them accurately.

How many treatments will I need?

That depends on your specific condition, how long you’ve had headaches, and which treatments we’re using. Many patients notice improvement within 2-4 visits. A typical treatment plan runs 6-12 weeks for chronic headache conditions. I’ll give you a clear timeline and expectations at your first visit — and we reassess regularly to make sure treatment is working.

Do you accept insurance for headache treatment?

We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) PPO for chiropractic services. We also accept Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare (UHC), UMR, and most major PPO plans. Coverage varies by plan — call or text (630) 454-1300 and our team will verify your benefits before your first visit. For services not covered by insurance, we offer affordable cash rates, payment plans, and CareCredit financing.

Is headache treatment safe?

Chiropractic treatment for headaches is well-established and supported by clinical evidence as safe and effective. Acupuncture has an excellent safety profile with minimal side effects. All of our treatments — including laser therapy, SoftWave, Stimpod, and Hakomed — are non-invasive and well-tolerated. During your evaluation, I’ll discuss any specific considerations based on your health history.

What if I’ve already tried a chiropractor and it didn’t help?

That’s actually one of the most common things I hear. In many cases, the previous treatment focused only on adjustment without addressing the other contributing factors — nerve irritation, inflammation, disc involvement, or metabolic triggers. Our integrative approach combines multiple treatment modalities matched to your specific diagnosis. When you address all the contributing factors, not just one, the results are different.

Can headaches be a sign of something serious?

In rare cases, yes. Sudden severe headaches, headaches with fever or stiff neck, headaches after head injury, progressive worsening, or headaches with neurological symptoms (vision changes, weakness, confusion) require immediate medical evaluation. Part of our evaluation is screening for red flags that indicate a headache needs medical workup before or instead of conservative treatment.

Do you treat children and teenagers with headaches?

We treat patients of all ages. Headaches in younger patients often relate to posture (especially with screen use and heavy backpacks), cervical spine alignment, and sometimes dietary factors. The evaluation process is similar — identify the cause, build an appropriate treatment plan, and monitor progress.

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Ready to Get Rid of Your Headaches?

Headaches don’t have to run your life. If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of medications, temporary fixes, and recurring pain, it’s time to find out what’s actually causing the problem — and fix it.

Call or text (630) 454-1300, or call our office directly at (630) 355-8022 to schedule your headache evaluation.

During your first visit, we’ll:

• Perform a comprehensive evaluation of your cervical spine, muscles, and neurological function
• Review any imaging you have (or take X-rays if needed)
• Give you an honest assessment of what’s causing your headaches and whether we can help
• Discuss your treatment options and answer all your questions

Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic 4931 Illinois Rte 59, Suite 121 Naperville, IL 60564

We are located on Route 59 near 95th Street in Naperville, easily accessible from Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Oswego, Lisle, and Wheaton.

Serving: Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Oswego, Lisle, Wheaton, and surrounding DuPage and Will County communities.

The first step is finding out what’s actually causing your headaches. Let’s figure it out together.

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References

1. Stovner LJ, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of migraine and tension-type headache, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet Neurol. 2018;17(11):954-976.
2. Burch R, et al. The prevalence and impact of migraine and severe headache in the United States. Headache. 2021;61(1):60-68.
3. Bryans R, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34(5):274-289.
4. Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(6):CD001218.
5. Hansraj KK. Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head. Surg Technol Int. 2014;25:277-279.
6. Sjaastad O, Bakketeig LS. Prevalence of cervicogenic headache: Vaga study of headache epidemiology. Acta Neurol Scand. 2008;117(3):173-180.
7. Diener HC, et al. Medication-overuse headache: a worldwide problem. Lancet Neurol. 2004;3(8):475-483.
8. Mauskop A, Varughese J. Why all migraine patients should be treated with magnesium. J Neural Transm. 2012;119(5):575-579.
9. Chaibi A, Russell MB. Manual therapies for cervicogenic headache: a systematic review. J Headache Pain. 2012;13(5):351-359.
10. Vickers AJ, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474.
11. Mayo Clinic. Tension-type headache — Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. 2024.
12. Cleveland Clinic. Cervicogenic headache. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. 2024.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any treatment program. If you are experiencing a sudden severe headache, headache with fever, neurological symptoms, or any emergency warning signs described in this article, seek immediate medical attention.