Thunderclap headache: The “worst headache of my life”

Not all headache disorders are the same. An excruciating, sudden-onset headache known as thunderclap headache (TCH) is a medical emergency, very different from more common headache disorders such as migraine and tension headache. If you develop TCH, you should call 911 or immediately go to the closest hospital. TCH is associated with a variety of causes, ranging from benign to potentially fatal. Urgent evaluation in an emergency setting is needed to quickly identify and treat any underlying condition. Diagnosing and treating secondary thunderclap headache When you arrive at the hospital, the medical team will want to confirm or rule out a potentially serious, secondary cause of the TCH. The initial history and examination will focus on red flags that suggest specific secondary causes. A secondary TCH has an underlying cause, other than the headache itself. For example, neck stiffness or sleepiness may suggest a ruptured brain aneurysm or infection; a drooping eyelid may indicate a tear in the carotid artery (the main artery supplying the brain); seizures or sudden limb weakness may suggest clots in a blood vessel, or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhage). Absence of these signs and symptoms does not definitively rule out these causes, which is why you will likely undergo imaging of the brain and its blood vessels with either computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If imaging does not reveal a clear secondary cause, a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, may be n...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Headache Health Source Type: blogs