| A thunderclap headache can drive you to your | | | | Diagnosis and Testing |
| knees in a matter of seconds. This type of pain is | | | | CT of brain. This is probably ordered emergently |
| of a sudden onset, and peaks within 60 seconds. | | | | to rule out a bleed of any sort, or a cyst in the |
| The pain can be on either side of the head, back | | | | brain. CT's are a form of X-ray radiation whereas |
| of the head or even all over. | | | | an MRI uses magnets and the differences |
| The pain is disabling but may linger up to 10 days. | | | | between water and tissue to visualize the brain. |
| What we worry about with thunderclap | | | | This gives much sharper images than a CT. |
| headaches is the cause behind them. This may | | | | Angiogram: If your doctor suspects an aneurysm, |
| truly be a dangerous headache or an emergency | | | | an angiogram may be ordered. This is an injection |
| headache. What is also of concern is if you have | | | | of dye to get a very close look at the arteries. |
| never had this kind of pain before. | | | | Treatment |
| Causes of Thunderclap Headaches | | | | Treatment of this type of headache is directed at |
| At times a severe migraine may appear suddenly | | | | the underlying cause, so there is no one |
| like a thunderclap headache. What may worry | | | | treatment that fits all so to speak. |
| medical professionals is the potential underlying | | | | Aneurysms are generally watched and followed |
| cause: | | | | with regular imaging studies if they are 5mm or |
| Bleeding between the brain and membranes | | | | less. Anything over that requires the opinion of a |
| covering the brain | | | | neurosurgeon as to whether or not they should |
| A bulge in a blood vessel in the brain(aneurysm) | | | | have an operation. Treatment for this involves |
| which may start to leak or rupture | | | | clipping the aneurysm or coiling inside it. Strokes or |
| A tear in the lining of an artery known as | | | | bleeding are managed depending on the site and |
| dissection | | | | length of time from the bleed. Meningitis or |
| A tear in the membrane surrounding the brain and | | | | encephalitis would require an in hospital stay with |
| spinal cord, causing a cerebrospinal fluid leak | | | | proper monitoring and medications. |
| A cyst blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid | | | | Remember, a thunderclap headache can be a |
| Bleeding in the pituitary glando Infection, such as | | | | dangerous emergency headache, so see a doctor |
| meningitis or encephalitis | | | | soon if this happens to you. |