Headache and Migraines Forum - Splitting headache

Conditions and Diseases > Headache and Migraines Forum > Splitting headache

How can you tell if a headache is serious, or not? What types of headaches are there? Get started learning the facts about headache here....

Q: Splitting headache

asked by: DoctorQuestion on January 17th, 2008

I have read about the "Ice pick" headaches. The pain described is very close to what I am experiencing, however my pain radiates throughout my head and not a local area. Furthermore, I do not have migraines to follow.
Some mornings, I wake up fine, simply stretch in bed while laying down and suddenly, I have the sharp head pains. The pains are shortlived. Some will leave as quickly as they came and others may dissipate over 1 minute or 2.
Some days i have no pains and other days they are more frequent and with varying intesity. When they are really bad, i can't help but hold my head as it feels as if my head is literally splitting open.
The pains can be triggered from stretching, sneezing, coughing, getting up from the couch, laying down or even lifting my baby above shoulder level.
It often feels as if the blood is "flushing" into my head right before the onset of pain. More often than not, i am caught off guard.
What could be wrong with me?

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on January 30th, 2008

Headache, Migraines, Sinus Conditions Answer A3560

Basically you should distinguish if your headache is primary or secondary. Primary headaches are idiopathic (with an unknown cause). Secondary headaches are symptomatic or caused by some other disease (tumor, infection, etc.).

Several diagnostic procedures can be done to confirm or exclude a secondary headache (EEG, standard blood analyses, CT, MRI…). Secondary headaches are treated by treating the primary disorder. Primary headaches are treated symptomatically with analgesics.

You can consult a neurologist about your condition.

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