What is a thunderclap headache?
A thunderclap headache is an extremely painful headache that comes on suddenly, like a clap of thunder. This type of headache has the most intense pain at its onset. People who have had a thunderclap headache often describe it as the worst headache of their life, unlike any headache they’ve ever experienced.
Thunderclap headaches strike without any warning. Sometimes there’s no underlying medical cause to them, but other times they’re a sign of very serious underlying conditions that involve bleeding in and around your brain.
This type of headache is rare. They occur in less than 50 out of 100,000 adults each year.
It’s important to seek medical attention immediately to rule out life-threatening causes of a thunderclap headache.
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What does a thunderclap headache feel like?
The main symptom of a thunderclap headache is sudden and severe pain in your head. This pain reaches its most intense point within 60 seconds and lasts at least five minutes. It then usually fades within the next few hours. Other symptoms may include:
- Numbness.
- Weakness.
- Speech problems.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Change in vision.
- Confusion.
What’s the difference between a thunderclap headache and an ice pick headache?
Thunderclap headaches and ice pick headaches both come on suddenly, but they feel different.
An ice pick headache causes a sudden, sharp, stabbing head pain (or a quick series of pains). It typically only lasts a few seconds. People who have these headaches equate the pain to being stabbed in the head or eye with an ice pick. They typically occur in clusters with multiple repeated episodes.
Thunderclap headaches last longer than ice pick headaches, and they usually don’t feature multiple bursts of pain like ice pick headaches do.
People who experience migraine headaches and cluster headaches are more prone to ice pick headaches, and they’re generally not caused by a serious, acute medical condition. Thunderclap headaches, on the other hand, can be a sign of a serious health issue that requires immediate medical attention.
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Can thunderclap headaches be harmless?
In some cases, a thunderclap headache can be harmless and not have an underlying medical cause. However, since there’s no way to know for sure why you’re experiencing a thunderclap headache, you should go to the emergency room if you’re experiencing one. They can be a sign of a serious medical condition affecting your brain.
A healthcare provider can order tests to determine what, if anything, is causing it.
