Which symptom is indicative of a severe headache?

Intense pain that may accompany vomiting is indicative of a severe headache, often associated with conditions such as migraines or cluster headaches. This type of headache typically presents with debilitating pain that can be described as throbbing or pulsating. The presence of vomiting is particularly significant as it suggests that the headache is not only severe but potentially related to increased intracranial pressure or other serious neurological conditions.

While persistent numbness can indicate neurological issues and sensitivity to light and sound (photophobia and phonophobia) are common symptoms in various headaches, they do not directly denote the severity of the headache itself in the same way that intense pain and vomiting do. Sudden fatigue and drowsiness may arise from numerous causes, but do not specifically characterize a severe headache as effectively as intense pain with vomiting. Therefore, the combination of severe pain and vomiting serves as a clearer indicator of a potentially serious headache condition.