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Immediate emergency: call 112 in Luxembourg
Call immediately for a sudden exceptionally severe headache, sudden one-sided weakness, sudden speech difficulty, confusion, a seizure or loss of consciousness. Sudden neurological symptoms may remain urgent even if they subsequently disappear.
Head or neck pain with high fever, marked stiffness and severe illness, or a major injury with concerning signs, also needs urgent help. Do not wait for every symptom on a list to occur.
Chapter sources [2] [6] [1] [7]
Understand the picture
Three levels of action
Immediately
Major signs or concerning sudden onset: 112.
Promptly
New symptoms, deterioration or uncertainty: medical advice without delay.
Planned follow-up
Stable but troublesome pain: assessment and a follow-up plan.
During the call and while awaiting help
Give your location, what happened, the onset time and the person’s condition. Follow the operator’s instructions and remain available. Mention important conditions and medicines if known, without delaying the call to find documents.
Do not drive yourself with neurological problems, faintness or major impairment. Someone with you can help describe the changes. Do not try to resolve the situation with neck exercises or manipulation.
Nerve symptoms: arrange prompt assessment
Increasing weakness, newly clumsy hands, new walking difficulty or changes in bladder or bowel control may require urgent assessment. With neck pain, they can indicate a problem beyond ordinary muscle tension.
Call 112 if onset is sudden, impairment is substantial or deterioration is rapid. Otherwise contact a doctor without delay to establish the next step. A previously diagnosed disc problem or arthritis does not automatically explain new changes.
Chapter sources [3]
A new or different headache
Seek prompt advice for a new worsening headache, a major change, symptoms after injury or unusual associated features. Mention pregnancy, recent childbirth, known cancer or reduced immunity.
Headache with jaw pain on chewing, scalp tenderness or visual symptoms needs urgent advice. Do not assume bruxism explains it. A presumed first aura or one unlike previous episodes also needs assessment.
Dizziness, jaw pain and other combinations
Dizziness with double vision, speech difficulty, weakness, impaired coordination or inability to walk needs immediate help. New severe persistent dizziness warrants prompt advice even without those signs.
Jaw pain with chest pressure, breathlessness or faintness may be an emergency. So may a dental infection with breathing or swallowing difficulty. Call 112 in these situations rather than waiting for a planned dental or physiotherapy appointment.
When should you arrange a consultation?
Arrange an appointment when symptoms repeatedly or persistently disturb sleep or activities, require frequent medicines or are not improving. Frequent or disabling headaches are enough reason to seek advice.
A consultation can review diagnosis, treatment and goals. You do not need to wait several weeks to ask for help if the situation is difficult. If an emergency sign appears, use urgent services immediately.
What information is useful?
Record onset, symptom character and changes in strength, vision, walking or sensation. Mention injuries, treatments, known conditions and what you can no longer do. A diary of headache days and medicines can help with recurring episodes.
Preparation must never delay care. In an emergency, describe the facts simply; you do not need the name of a condition or a completed KinéCheck.
In everyday life
Share the essentials
Location
Address and how to find you.
Onset
When and how symptoms began.
Changes
Speech, strength, consciousness, walking and other signs.
What this list can and cannot do
One warning sign does not itself confirm serious disease. It indicates that assessment may be needed to avoid missing an important cause. Conversely, none of these examples being present does not guarantee that everything is harmless.
If new, unusual or rapidly changing symptoms worry you, seek medical advice. Timelines and investigations depend on the situation. This guide cannot replace instructions from a professional who has examined you.
Your questions
Should I wait for several signs before calling?
No. One major sign, such as sudden weakness or an exceptionally severe sudden headache, can be enough to require urgent help.
What if the symptoms have gone?
Sudden neurological symptoms can remain urgent after they disappear. Do not assume the problem is over; call 112 for appropriate assessment.
Chapter sources [6]
Can I request a callback from the practice?
For routine questions, yes. For urgent or rapidly changing concerning symptoms, use direct medical help. The form is not monitored as an emergency service.
Chapter sources [7]
Does known migraine rule out another cause?
No. A substantially different episode or new symptoms must be assessed on their current features.
Chapter sources [4]
Sources and references
- [1] Assurance Maladie — Cervicalgie : que faire et quand consulter ?
- [2] NICE CG150 — Headaches in over 12s: recommendations
- [3] NHS Inform — Cervical radiculopathy
- [4] NHS — Migraine
- [5] NHS — Tension headaches
- [6] NHS · Stroke symptoms
- [7] CGDIS Luxembourg · 112
- [8] NICE NG127 · Dizziness and vertigo in adults
- [9] NHS · Dental abscess
- [10] NHS · Heart attack
Text updated on
Medical review: awaiting Hasib Selimovic.