Health
Is it a Headache or Are You Having a Stroke?
Headaches can sometimes be so painful that it can make you wonder if something more serious is wrong. Most headaches are due to tension, migraines, or sinus issues, but a sudden, severe headache can be a symptom of a more urgent problem, such as a stroke.
It’s important to note that most headaches are unrelated to a stroke, says Dr. Helen Okoye a medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign. “However, if you or someone you know experiences a sudden, severe headache along with other neurological symptoms, seek immediate medical attention,” she says.
For those who struggle with recurring or chronic migraines, seeking professional care can make a significant difference. Accessible telehealth platforms, such as online migraine treatment from Hello Wisp, provide convenient, personalized solutions that offer consultations, prescriptions, and ongoing support designed to help manage migraine symptoms from the comfort of home.
Time is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of a stroke, and early intervention can help to prevent permanent damage or death. Strokes are a life-threatening emergency – according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke annually. Of those, five million die and another five million are left permanently disabled.
A headache associated with a stroke is typically different from a routine headache in several ways, says Dr. Okoye.
A normal headache
Most headaches develop gradually and can be triggered by factors like stress, tension, lack of sleep, certain foods, caffeine, or dehydration. Pain is usually felt in the head, face, or neck, in a dull, aching, or throbbing pain. Other symptoms such as sensitivity to light or noise, nausea, and vomiting may also be experienced, but these are not typically as severe as those associated with a stroke.
Stroke-related headache
Headaches related to stroke typically occur suddenly and with intensity – often described as “the worst headache of my life”. The pain can be on one side of the head, particularly if the stroke affects a specific area of the brain. The headache may persist for an extended period, whereas routine headaches often resolve with time or after taking pain relief medication.
“Stroke-related headaches are also often accompanied by other neurological symptoms, such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, slurred speech, vision problems, dizziness, confusion, and problems with balance or coordination,” points out Dr. Okoye.
Strokes are a medical emergency that can lead to paralysis, loss of consciousness, and difficulty speaking or understanding language. “It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone else is experiencing symptoms that indicate a stroke. There is a time-sensitive window for treatment to minimise damage to the brain and improve the chances of recovery, and only a medical professional can provide a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment,” cautions Dr Okoye.
What causes a stroke?
Most strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. This type of stroke is known as an ischemic stroke, and it occurs when a blood clot forms and obstructs the flow of blood to a part of the brain, explains Dr. Okoye.
The most common cause of an ischemic stroke is a thrombus, which is a blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel in the brain or elsewhere in the body, then breaks loose and travels to the brain, causing a blockage. This type of clot usually forms in arteries that have become narrowed due to atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits), or in the heart in individuals with certain heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation.
In simple terms, says Dr Okoye, a stroke is like your brain’s equivalent of a heart attack. “When a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, the brain cells in that area do not receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients, leading to damage and potentially causing stroke symptoms. The severity of the stroke and the resulting symptoms depend on the size and location of the blocked blood vessel.”
According to WHO, the risk of death depends on the type of stroke. Transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) – where symptoms resolve in less than 24 hours – have the best outcome, followed by stroke caused by carotid stenosis (narrowing of the artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain). Blockage of an artery is more dangerous, with rupture of a cerebral blood vessel the most dangerous of all.
Reducing the risk
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (DCD), many stroke risk factors are lifestyle-related, and 80% of strokes are preventable. This means that leading a healthy life and managing certain medical conditions can go a long way in lowering risk.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the single most important treatable risk factor for stroke, and preventing, diagnosing, and controlling it is critical. Regularly monitor your blood pressure and work with your healthcare provider to keep it within a healthy range.
Diabetes is another high stroke risk. “Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of stroke, so it’s crucial to manage your blood sugar levels effectively. Being overweight also places you at a higher risk. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise, and if you drink, do so in moderation, as excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke,” advises Dr Okoye.
“Eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and avoid excessive salt, saturated fats, and trans fats, as they can contribute to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues,” she advises. Statistics from WHO show that for every 10 people who die of stroke, four could have been saved if their blood pressure had been regulated. Smoking also significantly increases stroke risk. Among those aged under 65, two-fifths of stroke deaths are linked to smoking. Tobacco use is one of the most significant modifiable risks, so if you smoke, seek help to quit.
“Having a stroke can be devastating to the sufferer and their families. It is a common cause of adult disability and can rob a patient of their independence,” says Dr Okoye. If you are at all concerned about your stroke risk, ask your healthcare provider to assess and address your individual stroke risk effectively.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State government has kicked off an initiative to ensure that every newborn is screened for Sickle Cell Disease within 48 to 72 hours after birth using a simple heel-prick test.
It was gathered that babies identified as being at risk will immediately be placed on preventive care while awaiting confirmatory testing.
The Head of the Haematology Department at the Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Olubukola Orolu, revealed that an estimated 150,000 babies are born annually with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria, giving the country one of the highest SCD burdens globally.
She, however, applauded the Lagos State Government and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) for introducing the state-wide newborn screening programme, describing it as a major step towards reducing childhood deaths associated with the disease.
The commencement of this scheme coincides with the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day, themed Young Voices Rising for Sickle Cell Disease – Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease.
It highlights the importance of listening to the experiences and aspirations of young people living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Mrs Orolu noted that SCD warriors are increasingly breaking barriers as advocates, leaders, students and change-makers, adding that their voices have continued to reshape the narrative through advocacy for equitable, patient-centred healthcare, self-care and experience sharing.
She, therefore, called for equal access to quality healthcare, survival opportunities and dignity for everyone living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Also commenting, the chief executive of Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Akinyele Akinlade, described Sickle Cell Disease as an inherited blood disorder that is not contagious, noting that individuals living with the condition are more susceptible to infections.
He advised SCD warriors to stay well hydrated, avoid stress, and protect themselves from extreme cold or heat, as these are common triggers of sickle cell crises, adding that these preventive measures can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of crises.
One of the participants, Ms Borokini Zainab, an SCD warrior and student nurse, expressed appreciation to the organisers for the enlightenment programme.
Sharing her personal journey, she spoke about the challenges of balancing recurrent pain crises with her academic pursuits and personal life. Despite moments of frustration, she encouraged fellow warriors not to lose hope.
“Don’t let sickle cell put you down. Be encouraged from within. Don’t let your dreams be shattered because of this,” she said, adding that her personal experience with Sickle Cell Disease inspired her to pursue a career in nursing so she could support others living with the condition.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A 12-week health-tech incubation programme tailored for early-stage founders in Nigeria has been introduced by an innovation and venture-building platform, Evon Labs.
This initiative, known as HealthX Catalyst, will help participants to create scalable, investable solutions for Africa’s urgent healthcare issues.
The programme is underway, with 12 selected founders nearing the final weeks of intensive incubation, ending with a Demo Day on June 24, 2026, at the UNDP innovation centre in Lagos, where the small business owners will present their solutions to an audience of investors, healthcare leaders, development organisations, and technology partners.
The initiative selects early-stage healthcare founders and immerses them in a structured 12-week development process. Throughout this period, participants receive personalised and group mentorship from seasoned professionals across the healthcare, technology, and business sectors.
They also receive structured support for startup development, including refining business models, developing value propositions, and validating markets.
Additionally, participants gain access to a network of healthcare practitioners, sector experts, and industry leaders, along with targeted investment-readiness assistance to prepare them to engage with investors and strategic partners after the programme.
The result is a cohort of founders who move through the programme not simply with a refined pitch, but with a validated business model, a stronger professional network, and a clear pathway to growth.
To accelerate the most promising solutions beyond the programme, monetary grants will be awarded to the top three founders to support product development, pilot implementation, market validation, and early-stage scaling.
It was learned that HealthX Catalyst was developed in response to a structural gap in the African health-tech ecosystem.
Across the continent, a growing number of entrepreneurs are building solutions to healthcare problems from access and diagnostics to service delivery and health data infrastructure. Yet many of these early-stage ideas fail to progress beyond concept, not for lack of vision, but for lack of structured support: mentorship, startup development frameworks, industry access, and early-stage funding pathways. HealthX Catalyst was built to provide exactly that.
“Africa does not have a shortage of healthcare innovators. What it has lacked is the infrastructure to turn its ideas into sustainable businesses. HealthX Catalyst is that infrastructure, a serious, structured programme designed to take founders from early-stage ideas to investable startups.
“What we are seeing from this first cohort is exactly what we set out to create: founders who are not just building products, but building businesses that can scale and create lasting impact,” the founder of Evon Labs, Ms Isioma Udeozo, said of the unveiling of HealthX Catalyst.
The partners of the programme are the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Odua Investment Company Limited (OICL), Washington University of St Louis, Missouri, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), and Brooks Insights.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The sum of $250,000 in humanitarian funding is to be provided by Binance to support the frontline response to the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The cryptocurrency exchange said the funds would be used to enable rapid response in high-risk and underserved areas, where access to healthcare infrastructure, protective resources, and timely public health information remains limited.
The money will be shared equally between the Uganda Red Cross Society and Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), supporting urgent interventions in affected and high-risk communities.
Binance’s contribution will help strengthen emergency medical care and treatment, community awareness and prevention campaigns, contact tracing and containment support, and the provision of sanitation supplies and protective equipment for frontline workers.
By supporting both immediate response activities and preventative education, Binance aims to contribute to reducing transmission and strengthening community resilience.
“Communities across Africa continue to show extraordinary resilience in the face of complex challenges, but frontline responders should not have to face crises like this alone,” the co-chief executive of Binance, Mr Richard Teng, said.
“The teams working to contain the Ebola disease outbreak are delivering vital, life-saving support under incredibly difficult conditions.
“We are proud to support both the Uganda Red Cross Society and Doctors Without Borders as they work to protect vulnerable populations, strengthen local response efforts, and deliver urgent care where it is needed most,” he added.
Also commenting, the Secretary General for the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mr Robert Kwesiga, said, “Strong partnerships are essential during public health emergencies since we are not able to manage the outbreak alone.
“The support from Binance comes in so timely and handy, and will help us respond more rapidly, reach more at-risk communities, and reinforce the frontline services needed to help contain the outbreak and save lives.”
The MSF Emergency Programme Manager, Trish Newport, while speaking on the initiative, said, “The number of cases and deaths we are seeing in such a short timeframe, combined with the spread across several health zones and now across the border, is extremely concerning. In Ituri, many people already struggle to access healthcare and live with ongoing insecurity, making rapid action critical to prevent the outbreak from escalating further.”
Caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment, this Ebola disease outbreak has placed acute pressure on already fragile health systems in eastern DRC and the wider region.
Local authorities, international agencies, and humanitarian organisations are racing to contain it and protect affected communities.
Binance’s support is intended to reinforce these efforts at a critical moment. It reflects the company’s broader commitment to supporting communities across Africa through programmes focused on education, financial inclusion, digital skills development, and community empowerment.
In this case, Binance is extending that commitment to urgent humanitarian and public health needs by working alongside trusted organisations with deep frontline expertise.
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