24/7 Emergency Care. Our patients are first.
Most headaches aren’t dangerous. But some headaches are your body’s warning sign — stroke, bleeding in the brain, meningitis, severe high blood pressure, or a serious eye problem can all present as headache. If the pain is sudden, severe, unusual for you, or paired with other symptoms, don’t wait it out.
Go to the ER right away (call 911 if severe) if your headache:
Is the worst headache of your life or hits suddenly (“thunderclap”)
Comes with weakness/numbness on one side, face drooping, confusion, or trouble understanding speech
Comes with trouble speaking, trouble walking, severe dizziness, or loss of coordination
Includes new vision changes (blurred vision, double vision, loss of vision)
Happens with a high fever and/or stiff neck (possible serious infection)
Comes with fainting, seizure, or you’re unusually drowsy and hard to wake
Starts after a significant head injury (fall, accident, sports hit)
If you suspect stroke symptoms or you’re severely confused/drowsy: call 911.
Even if the pain isn’t “the worst,” get urgent ER evaluation if you have a headache and any of the following apply:
Age 50+ with a new or different headache pattern
Pregnant or recently postpartum, especially with severe headache or vision symptoms (preeclampsia must be considered)
You’re on blood thinners (or have a bleeding/clotting disorder), especially after any fall/head impact
You’re immunocompromised (chemo, transplant meds, advanced illness) and develop a significant headache or fever
Possible carbon monoxide exposure (multiple people in the home with headache, headache improves when leaving the environment)
When headaches are less likely to be an emergency
A familiar headache that improves with rest, hydration, and typical meds — and has no red flags — is often safe to manage with primary care or urgent care follow-up. But if headaches are more frequent, more severe, or changing pattern, it’s still worth medical evaluation.
Why some headaches are serious
Emergency teams treat headaches differently when there are warning signs. “Thunderclap” onset, neurologic deficits, fever/stiff neck, impaired consciousness, papilledema, and eye emergencies are classic red flags that require urgent evaluation — and imaging is often part of the workup.
ER or urgent care?
Choose the ER for: sudden/severe headache, neurologic symptoms, fever + stiff neck, fainting/seizure, new vision loss, head injury, pregnancy/postpartum red flags, blood thinners, or immunocompromise.
Consider urgent care/primary care when: symptoms are mild/moderate, improving, and you have none of the red flags above.
What Post Oak ER can do for headache (Houston)
At Post Oak ER, we can evaluate concerning headaches quickly with:
Focused neurologic exam + vital signs monitoring
On-site CT imaging when needed to rule out dangerous causes
IV treatments for dehydration, nausea, and migraine-type symptom control when appropriate
Trauma care support if headache follows an injury
Walk in 24/7 — no appointment needed.
Whether you’re in Westchase, Midtown, or the Heights, getting to Post Oak ER is simple. We’re centrally located near major Houston routes like I‑610 and San Felipe — just a short drive from Memorial Park and River Oaks. Many patients reach us via Westheimer or Woodway Dr., depending on their neighborhood.
We accept most major insurance plans and also welcome self-pay patients with transparent, upfront pricing. Many Memorial-area patients visit us using Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Molina, and United Healthcare.
Yes. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our freestanding ER model is designed to minimize or eliminate wait times so you’re seen fast.
No. Walk in anytime. If it’s an emergency, come straight in or call ahead and we’ll be ready: 832-581-2277.
5018 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77056 — near The Galleria/Uptown. Free, convenient parking right by the entrance.
Yes. Our board-certified emergency physicians care for all ages, including pediatric emergencies.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache/migraine, abdominal pain, injuries and fractures, cuts requiring stitches, high fever, dehydration, allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and more. If you believe it’s life-threatening, call 911.
Yes. We offer on-site CT scans, digital X-rays, and a full laboratory, so most tests and results are done during your visit.
Absolutely. We routinely see patients from Uptown, The Galleria, River Oaks, Tanglewood, and Memorial.
A photo ID, insurance card (if available), a list of medications/allergies, and any recent medical records you have.
We accept most major private insurance plans. Coverage varies by plan; our team will help verify benefits and discuss any out-of-pocket costs. Questions? Call 832-581-2277.
Urgent care handles minor illnesses/injuries. ERs have advanced imaging, lab, medications, and emergency physicians for time-sensitive or severe conditions (e.g., chest pain, severe abdominal pain, serious injury, difficulty breathing).
Yes. If inpatient care or surgery is required, we coordinate a direct transfer to the appropriate hospital.
Times vary by condition and testing, but our no-wait intake and on-site diagnostics help you get answers and treatment as quickly as possible.