RELATED: Never Ignore Pain in This One Body Part, Experts Warn. While the vast majority of headaches are benign and will resolve on their own without treatment, some are considered life-threatening, the Harvard Health Blog explains. “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.” Time will be of the essence as your doctors rule out life-threatening causes of a thunderclap headache. Causes of a TCH can include bleeding in the brain, a tear in the lining of an artery, a blood clot in the brain, a dangerous elevation in blood pressure, stroke, encephalitis, and more, according to the Mayo Clinic. "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," says Harvard Health. RELATED: The 3 Signs Your Chest Pain Isn’t a Heart Attack, Experts Say. Thunderclap headaches live up to their name: They occur suddenly and with striking intensity. Typically, a thunderclap headache will reach peak levels of pain within one minute of onset, and will last at least five minutes before your symptoms improve. According to the Cleveland Clinic, you may experience additional symptoms in the event of a thunderclap headache. These can include numbness, weakness, speech difficulty, nausea or vomiting, seizures, vision changes, and new confusion.
Thunderclap headaches appear without warning, making them difficult to prevent. However, by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing underlying conditions, and avoiding specific triggers such as overly-strenuous physical activity, you may be able to reduce your chances of experiencing one, the Cleveland Clinic says. Individuals with high blood pressure, vascular problems, high cholesterol, or a family history of blood clots may be at heightened risk for the conditions that cause thunderclap headaches. Healthy diet, exercise, refraining from tobacco use, and following any treatment plan recommended by your doctor can help reduce your risk. For more health news sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Some cases of TCH are considered idiopathic, which means they occur spontaneously with no known underlying cause. However, other patients experience recurrent thunderclap headaches, which can occur within a short time frame. “In such cases, imaging invariably shows alternating areas of narrowing and dilation (the appearance is described as ‘a sausage on a string’) of multiple brain arteries,” explains Harvard Health. “This condition is called reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, or RCVS. RCVS can also develop in patients with a single TCH.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Among patients with RCVS, between 30 to 50 percent will eventually develop brain hemorrhage, stroke, or brain swelling, warn the Harvard experts. “Despite these possible complications, people with RCVS generally do well; the flurry of TCHs usually subsides within days, and the arterial narrowing resolves on its own within a few weeks,” they add. However, just because the condition can resolve on its own doesn’t mean you should attempt to endure it alone. Call 911 for emergency medical assistance if you experience a thunderclap headache. Failing to do so quickly can be fatal. RELATED: If You Feel This in Your Legs, Call 911 Immediately.
