Thunderclap Headache Causes, Symptoms, Diagnoses and Treatment

What Is Thunderclap Headache?

A thunderclap headache is a headache that is severe and sudden-onset. It is defined as a severe headache that takes seconds to minutes to reach maximum intensity.

It can be indicative of a number of medical problems, most importantly subarachnoid hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening.

It may also be indicative of a potentially recurring headache disorder, known as primary thunderclap headache.

Causes Of Thunderclap Headache:

Thunderclap headaches can result from a number of primary conditions.

These include:

Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
Cervical artery dissection
Hypertensive emergency
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension
Stroke
Retroclival hematoma
Pituitary apoplexy
Colloid cyst of the third ventricle
Meningitis
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
Primary cough headache, primary exertional headache and primary sexual headache
Primary thunderclap headache

Symptoms Of Thunderclap Headaches:

Thunderclap headaches are known to be intense.

Symptoms include pain that:

Strikes suddenly and severely — sometimes described as the worst headache ever experienced
Peaks within 60 seconds
Lasts anywhere between an hour and 10 days
Can occur anywhere in the head, and may involve the neck or lower back
Can be accompanied by:
nausea
vomiting
loss of consciousness