Do you sometimes experience unbearable pain on one side of your head, specifically around your eye? Do you struggle with this type of headache that starts suddenly, subsides after a while, and then reappears? If so, this is something that may be important to you. We call this condition Paroxysmal Hemicrania . Although the name may be a bit complicated, let's simply understand what happens in this case.
What is Paroxysmal Hemicrania?
Simply put, a paroxysmal hemicrania is a severe headache that starts suddenly and only occurs on one side of the head . Most often, the pain is felt behind your eye. Imagine, without any warning , a sudden, splitting pain in your head, and that too on only one side.
When these headaches occur, we say we have a "headache attack." The pain and other symptoms come in waves. These waves of pain can last from a few minutes to 30 minutes. Some people may only have these attacks a few times a day. However, some people may have these attacks up to 40 times a day, and they can last from two to thirty minutes at a time. Imagine how difficult such a day would be.
The important thing is, this is a primary headache disorder . That means, the headache is not caused by any other underlying condition. The problem is the headache itself.
The good news is that there are treatments for this headache condition called paroxysmal hemicrania. Your doctor can help you manage it.
What are the types of paroxysmal hemicrania?
There are two main types of this headache:
1. Chronic type : In this type, headaches occur almost every day for a year or more. Sometimes there are periods of time when you can be symptom-free, but it is less than three months. This means that you have to live with this problem almost all the time.
2. Episodic type : In this type, there is a long break (more than three months) between headaches. This means that after a while, the headache may start again.
Now you probably understand the difference between these two types.
What are the symptoms of this headache?
The main symptom of paroxysmal hemicrania is a headache. It also has several specific characteristics:
- The pain is only on one side of the head. The most important thing is that this pain does not change sides. If it hurts, it only hurts on one side.
- Headache symptoms start suddenly. The pain comes on without any warning.
- The pain lasts for a short period of time, about 30 minutes.
- Frequent headaches may occur throughout the day.
Along with this severe headache, you may experience several other symptoms on the same side of your head that hurts . These include:
- Redness of the eyes.
- Tears coming from the eyes.
- Nasal congestion or runny nose .
- Sweating on that side.
- Flushing .
- Restlessness or agitation. You may feel restless.
- Swelling or drooping of the eyelid (as if the eye is being crushed).
All of these symptoms appear on the same side as the headache.
How does it feel when you have paroxysmal hemicrania?
People with these headaches usually describe the pain on one side of their head as:
- Sharp : Like being stabbed with a knife.
- Intense : Unbearably intense.
- Squeezing : It feels like someone is squeezing your head.
- Throbbing : As if the head is beating inside to the rhythm of the heart.
Between headaches, even when there is no pain, the affected side of the head may feel slightly different. This can be:
- Dull ache : It hurts like a sore throat.
- A bruised feeling `(Sore)` : It feels like it hurts to touch.
- Tenderness : A feeling of being sore when touched.
Imagine, if you were working and suddenly one side of your head started to hurt so badly, how much would it disrupt your daily activities? That's the challenge of this condition.
What causes this headache?
In fact, experts still don't know exactly what causes paroxysmal hemicrania. However, in some cases, doctors have found a link between head and/or neck trauma and these headaches. This means that it can be triggered by something like a blow to the head or a twist in the neck. But this isn't common for everyone.
What are the triggers for paroxysmal hemicrania?
Triggers are things that bring on or make symptoms worse. In the case of paroxysmal hemicrania, the headache can be triggered by things like bending the head, turning the neck, or applying pressure to certain areas of the neck . For example, some people may experience this pain when they turn their neck to one side and stare.
Who is most at risk for this?
Paroxysmal hemicrania can affect anyone. However, women are more likely to develop this type of headache. It is also more common in adults than in children and young adults. However, overall, it is a very rare condition . This means that it does not affect everyone.
How is this diagnosed?
A doctor will diagnose paroxysmal hemicrania after a thorough examination of your symptoms. First, he or she will do a physical exam . You will need to tell your doctor exactly where you feel the pain in your head, how often you have had the headaches, and how long you have had these symptoms.
Your doctor may ask you to keep a headache journal . This will allow you to record your symptoms, when they occur, and how you feel. This will help your doctor get a better idea of your condition.
Additional tests can help your doctor rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms. This may include blood tests or imaging tests such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan . An MRI can look for other problems inside the brain.
How is paroxysmal hemicrania treated?
The main medication used to treat this headache is Indomethacin . This is a drug that belongs to the group of drugs called Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) . It works by reducing inflammation in the body and relieving pain.
However, Indomethacin can have some minor side effects. The most common are dizziness, vomiting, and gastrointestinal problems (such as heartburn and stomach pain) . Your doctor will tell you what side effects to watch out for.
Sometimes, either because of these side effects or for other reasons, your doctor may choose a different type of medication to treat your paroxysmal hemicrania. Alternative treatments may include:
- Other NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, naproxen, diclofenac) .
- COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., celecoxib, rofecoxib) .
- Calcium channel blockers (e.g. , verapamil, flunarizine) .
The doctor will decide which medicine is best for you.
What can we expect from this situation? (Outlook)
Paroxysmal hemicrania is a treatable type of headache. A doctor can help you control it with medications like indomethacin. It may take some time to find the right dose for your body. So don't worry.
Some side effects can occur when you use NSAIDs for a long time. Therefore, your doctor will tell you how often you need to see your doctor for follow-up visits to monitor your overall health and to check for new or worsening symptoms. If you have any concerns about your treatment plan or the way you are feeling, be sure to let your doctor know .
Can paroxysmal hemicrania be prevented?
Because the exact cause is unknown, there is still no clear way to prevent paroxysmal hemicrania.
What should I expect if I have paroxysmal hemicrania?
Paroxysmal hemicrania can affect your mental health and emotional well-being . Living with severe pain can be challenging. When you have headaches that come on suddenly several times throughout the day, it can interfere with your ability to get out of bed and go about your daily activities. The disruptions from these headaches can make you feel trapped and like they will never end.
It's normal to have thoughts like, "Oh, what happened to me? Why is this happening to me? Will this pain never go away?" But remember, you are not alone.
A doctor can help you treat these headaches and manage them throughout your life. So it's important to stay strong and seek treatment.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have frequent, severe, one-sided headaches, and you don't know the exact cause , you should definitely see a doctor. Getting a diagnosis quickly can help you start treatment.
If you already have paroxysmal hemicrania, if you develop new symptoms, if existing symptoms get worse, or if you experience any side effects from the medications you are taking , let your doctor know.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
When you go to see the doctor, you can ask questions like these:
- "Doctor, what is the best treatment for me?"
- "How long and how much should I take this medicine?"
- "What side effects should I expect from this medication?"
- "Can this headache come back after treatment?"
Ask questions like these to gain a clear understanding of your situation.
Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)
A severe headache can put your whole day on hold. They are really annoying. You may want to go to work, read a book, spend time with friends and family, but paroxysmal hemicrania headaches have other plans. But, fortunately, your doctor can help you manage these headaches. Then you can go back to your normal life without pain. So, never give up hope. Get proper medical advice.
` Headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, headache, indomethacin, NSAID, headache treatment, neurological diseases
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