Lightning headache
In a thunderclap headache, the sudden, severe headache peaks in the first 60 seconds and begins to subside after 1 hour. Some lightning headaches last longer than a week
Lightning headache often indicates a life-threatening condition; Because of this, it is important to seek immediate medical attention during a lightning headache
Some people have thunderclap headaches due to a headache disorder called primary thunderclap headache. This diagnosis is made only when all other possible causes have been ruled out by careful examination
Some lightning headaches appear for no reason
In other cases, it can be caused by life-threatening conditions, including:
- Bleeding between the brain and the lining of the brain, often caused by an abnormal bulging of a blood vessel (aneurysm)
- Rupture of a blood vessel in the brain
- Damage to the wall of an artery feeding the brain
- Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid caused by damage to the sheath covering the base of the nerves in the spinal cord
- A tumor in the third ventricle of the brain that obstructs the flow of cerebrospinal fluid
Symptoms of a thunderclap headache include pain that:
- comes on suddenly and is severe People often say they have never felt pain like it before
- Peaks in the first 60 seconds
- Lasts from 1 hour to 10 days
- Can develop anywhere in the head and include the neck and lower back
- Accompanied by nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness
