All About Thunderclap Headaches

A thunderclap headache is described as a kind of pain so intense and severe that it can stop you in your tracks. This type of headache is said to come on like a clap of thunder. While most headaches are generally nothing to worry about, some of these thunderclap headaches can be a sign something is seriously wrong.

A thunderclap headache can be caused by one of two conditions. The first is the Benign Thunderclap headache (BTH). These headaches are not dangerous. The second type of headache is the Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). These headaches can result in brain damage or death if not treated quickly.

As the name implies, Benign Thunderclap headaches are not dangerous, however, a patient suffering with a Subarachnoid hemorrhage has a serious health condition and should go to an emergency room or hospital as soon as possible.

Actress Sharon Stone is one well known person who recently suffered with an SAH. According to her neurosurgeon, this SAH was the result of a tear in the vertebral artery located at the base of her skull. At the beginning of her attack, Stone suffered with a crippling headache. Although she had suffered with migraines for years, Stone felt that something was wrong, and that this headache was different from the others she had suffered. She called her ex-husband, who was out of town, and then stayed in her house for the next three days, unaware that her headache was caused by blood leaking into her head from a torn artery.

While relating her story on Oprah Winfrey's television program, Stone said at the end of the three days nothing was making sense to her, so she didn’t even think of calling 911. During the show she told viewers to immediately go to the hospital if they should ever experience the worst headache ever, "because by the time you get to the hospital, you're as far gone as you wanna be."

Dangers of Thunderclap Headaches

A thunderclap headache can be life threatening, or just an unpleasant pain, depending on its cause. Because there is a possibility these headaches can be a sign something serious is wrong, you need to get to an emergency room or hospital as quickly as possible. Although this type of headache is not common, it is important to seek immediate help if you feel you are having the worst headache of your life.

If you think you are experiencing a thunderclap headache, there is no way for you to know if it is dangerous or not. This is why it is so important for you to go to a hospital right away. If your headache is caused by a hemorrhage, you may require emergency treatment, such as surgery.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhages

You may wonder what exactly a subarachnoid hemorrhage is and why it is so dangerous. Most people are familiar with the term hemorrhage. This indicates there is active bleeding in some part of the body. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is simply a hemorrhage in the arahnoid layers of the brain.
These hemorrhages are particularly dangerous because about one fifth of the blood supply pumped by the heart is routed to the network of vessels located in the brain. If there is a trauma to the head, or if a weak spot in a blood vessel gives way, it can cause bleeding in the brain.

Other Symptoms

Along with a suddenly incapacitating headache, there are some other symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. These other symptoms include photophobia, neck pain, back pain, nausea and vomiting, seizures and loss of consciousness.

Possible Causes

There are several conditions that may cause an SAH. These conditions include:

• A ruptured cerebral aneurysm. This occurs when a portion of a blood vessel wall becomes thin. This weak spot could eventually break, allowing blood to flow out into the surrounding brain tissue.

• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM). When blood vessels in the brain clump together and make abnormal connections with each other, they can cause AVM. This cluster of vessels is generally weak and could break, resulting in bleeding.

• Trauma. A major blow to the head can cause blood vessels inside the brain to break which will in turn cause bleeding.

Treatment

If you are suffering with a thunderclap headache, your doctor will probably order a CT scan to try to determine the cause of your head pain. If the headache is not caused by a hemorrhage, your doctor will simply keep an eye on you until the headache is over. If an SAH is discovered, your doctor will need to stop the bleeding in the brain before more damage is done. In order to properly stop this bleeding, you will most likely need surgery.

Conclusion

Although some thunderclap headaches are not dangerous, it is always best to see a doctor immediately if you are having the worst headache of your life. Your headache could be the result of a hemorrhage, which can be life threatening if not quickly and properly treated. Treat all thunderclap headaches as if they were serious, don’t wait until it is too late to get help.

All About Thunderclap Headaches