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Thunderclap headaches live up to their name, grabbing your attention like a clap of thunder. The pain of these sudden, severe headaches peaks within 60 seconds and can start fading after an hour. Some thunderclap headaches, however, can last for more than a week.

Thunderclap headaches are often a warning sign of potentially life-threatening conditions, usually linked to bleeding in and around the brain. That's why it's so important to seek emergency medical attention if you experience a thunderclap headache.

Some people may also experience thunderclap headaches as part of a potentially recurring headache disorder, known as primary thunderclap headache. But this diagnosis should only be made after a thorough medical evaluation and elimination of other possible underlying causes.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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Thunderclap headaches are dramatic. 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 or loss of consciousness

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical attention for any headache that comes on suddenly and severely.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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Some thunderclap headaches appear as a result of no obvious physical reason.

In other cases, potentially life-threatening conditions may be responsible, including:

• Bleeding between the brain and membranes covering the brain, often due to an abnormal bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel (aneurysm)
• A rupture of a blood vessel in the brain
• A tear in the lining of an artery (for example, carotid or vertebral artery) that supplies blood to the brain
• Leaking of cerebrospinal fluid, which when present is usually due to a tear of the covering around a nerve root in the spine
• A tumor in the third ventricle of the brain that blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid
• Loss of blood supply to or bleeding in the pituitary gland
• A blood clot in the brain
• Severe elevation in blood pressure
• Infection such as meningitis or encephalitis

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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The following tests are commonly used to determine if any underlying condition is causing thunderclap headaches.

CT scan

Testing for thunderclap headaches often starts with a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the head to search for an underlying cause of the headache. CT scans take X-rays that create slice-like, cross-sectional images of your brain and head.

A computer combines these images to create a full picture of your brain. Sometimes an iodine-based dye is used to augment the picture.

Spinal tap

Sometimes a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) may be needed as well. With this procedure, the doctor removes a small amount of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord. The cerebrospinal fluid sample can be tested for signs of bleeding or infection.

MRI

In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done for further assessment. With this imaging study, a magnetic field and radio waves are used to create cross-sectional images of the structures within your brain.

Magnetic resonance angiography

MRI machines can also be used to map the blood flow inside your brain in a test called a magnetic resonance angiography.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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You may find it useful to talk to other people who experience painful headaches. Try finding a support group in your area to learn how other people cope with their headache pain and discomfort.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com