Do You Suffer From Thunderclap Headaches?
A thunderclap headache is a sudden and very severe headache that will go from normal to mind numbing pain in less than a minute, they will usually fade in several hours, however some are reported to last for more than a week. It is similar in nature to a migraine, in that it hits very suddenly and there doesn’t seem to be any real cause. Most thunderclap headaches are not signs that there are underlying life threatening problems, however they can be the warning sign of potential harmful conditions. About half of the patients who have had artery ruptures and hemorrhages in their brains have reported recent thunderclaps. If you experience a thunderclap, you should see your doctor right away. Over the counter pain relievers that are taken orally such as Advil, will not help these severe headaches. Your doctor may prescribe an injection, or nasal spray that will serve as an immediate pain reliever, and several tests will be done to rule out more serious causes. There are many potentially life-threatening conditions that may be responsible for a thunderclap headache: v A tear in the lining of an artery that supplies blood to your brain v Bleeding between the brain and the membranes v Infections, like meningitis or encephalitis v A bulge in a blood vessel in the brain v A tear in the membrane that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord v Bleeding in the pituitary gland v A cyst that blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid Some thunderclap headaches appear to be for no reason, however it is vitally important to seek medical attention as soon as possible so that the necessary tests to rule out any life threatening conditions can be run. The tests that will run may include a CT scan, a spinal tap, an MRI, and an angiogram. A CT scan is often the first test the doctors will run. The scan uses an x-ray machine that will rotate around your body, creating cross-sectional images of your brain and head in search of the underlying cause for your headache. The tests may include a spinal tap where the doctor will remove a small amount of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord. The cerebrospinal fluid can be tested for proteins, white blood cells and other substances. If further testing is needed, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be ordered. This non-invasive test will also create high-resolution cross-sectional images of your brain, but it uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce them.
During your CT scan or MRI, the doctor may intravenously inject a contrast material into your bloodstream in order to obtain pictures of the blood vessels inside your head. This is called a magnetic resonance angiogram, or a CT angiogram. There is no cure or single treatment for thunderclap headaches. Your doctor may prescribe preventive medicine if no underlying cause can be found for your headaches. Even without treatment, thunderclap headaches usually stop occurring within a few days or weeks.
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