Thunderclap headaches are a type of headache marked by sudden, sharp, intense and unbearable pain that can last up to a minute. The intense pain will subside, while mild pain can last up to 72 hours. There are two types of thunderclap headaches and their causes vary accordingly, although symptoms can be similar. Once the necessary diagnostic tests are done, treatment depends on what is the underlying cause.
Headaches are a common condition and one has experienced them at least once in a lifetime. According to neurosurgeons, there are different types of headaches, with their own underlying cause and triggers. There are pain-sensitive nerve-endings called nociceptors located all over the body. Sometimes they react strongly to stress, lack of sleep, certain foods, incorrect spectacles, certain odours, loud noise, certain medicines and tight headgear. They send messages through the trigeminal nerve to the thalamus located in the brain. The thalamus is the main processing centre in the brain for pain sensation anywhere in the body. This intense messaging causes headaches. This is the general pathology of headaches.
Then there are migraine headaches in which certain brain cells get highly excited and undergo waves of activity. In response, the hormone serotonin is produced which causes blood-vessels to narrow. One of the consequences of this is headache.
Thunderclap headaches are another class of headaches. In this, the person experiences sudden and intense pain like he/she has never experienced before with the pain being unbearable. That is why it is compared to a thunderclap. The intense pain or the ‘peak’ lasts for a minute to 90 seconds. Then the peak subsides and there is a less intense pain which can last up to 72 hours. In some people, the condition can recur in the days or weeks following the first peak.
These can trigger primary thunderclap headaches and, in some cases, the secondary ones too (because, although there is an underlying cause, headache may not be one of the symptoms).
The following imaging tests reveal intricate details of the brain’s vascular system.
Primary thunderclap headaches are treated using Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Indocin. Secondary headaches are treated by treating the underlying cause.
Thunderclap headaches are a severe type of headache which can be life-threatening if left untreated due to the potential serious underlying causes. This condition requires immediate medical attention and management. Diagnosis involves imaging tests to reveal intricate details of the brain’s vascular system and the treatment strategy depends largely on the underlying cause. Primary thunderclap headaches can be managed with NSAIDs, however, secondary headaches require a more focused treatment plan targeting the cause, which may include medication, surgery, or supportive care. To ensure effective treatment, consult a well-reputed healthcare provider like Kauvery Hospital, which has branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy.
A thunderclap headache is a sudden, severe headache that reaches its peak intensity within 60 seconds.
They can be caused by serious conditions like subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral vasoconstriction, aneurysm rupture, or less severe triggers like intense physical activity.
Symptoms include sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, altered mental state, seizures, vision changes, and neck stiffness.
Diagnosis involves imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, MRA, and lumbar puncture to identify underlying causes.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include medications, surgery, or supportive care.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
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