HEMI Cranial Periodic Pain

Hemicranial periodic pain describes pain on one side of the head that is not constant. Migraines are a common example of hemicranial periodic pain, though it can be a symptom of other disorders. Treatment for hemicranial peroidic pain includes sleep, rest and, in some instances, medication.

Migraines

• Migraines are chronic, reoccurring headaches that cause severe head pain, typically only on one side of the head, and most commonly behind the eye. Individuals experiencing a migraine are often highly sensitive to light and sound and may experience nausea or vomiting. Although no cure exists for migraines, medications can help reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.

Paroxysmal Hemicranias

• Paroxysmal hemicranias are painful attacks that last for 2 to 45 minutes and occur frequently--up to 40 attacks in one day. Paroxysmal hemicranias are similar to cluster headaches, which last for 15 to 180 minutes but occur less frequently, 1 to 8 times per day. Both paroxysmal hemicranias and cluster headaches are hemicranial and periodic in nature. Interestingly, paroxysmal hemicrania is more common in women and cluster headaches are more common in men. Individuals with these conditions describe the pain as severe throbbing and claw-like pain, typically behind the eye.

SUNCT syndrome

• SUNCT syndrome, which is an acronym for short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headaches that occur along with conjunctival infection and tearing--is a rare condition, where persistent, confined pain reoccurs in the same area, near or behind the eye. More specifically, SUNCT syndrome causes hemicranial periodic pain that last 10 to 120 seconds. Intensity of the attacks can vary, though the pain is usually moderate, distinguishing SUNCT syndrome from cluster headaches and paroxysmal hemicranias.

Hemicrania Continua

• Rarely diagnosed and commonly overlooked, hemicrania continua is a medical condition where an individual experiences continuous, exclusively one-sided (hemicranial) pain. Its reoccurring location makes it distinct from migraines, cluster headaches and SUNCT syndrome. Additionally, hemicrania continua pain may vary from moderate to severe.

Expert Insight

• Individuals experiencing reoccurring headaches or any severe headaches should speak with a medical professional. If you experience an abrupt and severe headache, the headache occurs after a head injury or the headache is coupled with other symptoms such as fever, weakness, poor vision and/or numbness, seek urgent medical care immediately.