Is A Headache A Sign Of A Stroke?

Is a headache a sign of a stroke?

by Men's Reporter Team

A headache in a specific area may be a sign of a stroke. For example, a stroke in the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the front of the brain, can cause pain in the forehead and face. Stroke-related headaches can be more common with mild to moderate pain, but they can also be severe and sudden, such as the “thunderclap headache” commonly seen in hemorrhagic strokes (bleeding in the brain due to ruptured blood vessels). It may also be.

In addition to headaches, strokes often cause other neurological symptoms, such as drooping of the face, arm weakness, slurred speech, confusion, and decreased vision. If you experience a sudden, severe headache along with any of these symptoms, it is important to seek emergency medical care immediately, as timely treatment can save your life.

Do your headaches only occur during sleep?
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How stroke causes headaches

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off. This causes headaches. There are two types of stroke, both of which can cause this symptom.

ischemic stroke It occurs when the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain become clogged. Lack of blood flow causes brain cell death. Approximately 80% of strokes are ischemic.
hemorrhagic stroke It occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures. This leads to intracerebral hemorrhage. Common examples of hemorrhagic strokes include: subarachnoid hemorrhagebleeding occurs between the brain and its surrounding membranes.

a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary blockage of blood flow in the brain, sometimes referred to as a “mini-stroke.” It comes on suddenly and gets better quickly. (Most TIAs last about 5 minutes, but some can last up to 24 hours.)

Despite the name “mini-stroke,” the diagnosis of TIA is not based on the severity of symptoms such as headaches. No matter how mild the symptoms, a TIA must be treated like a stroke and can be a precursor to a full-blown stroke.

What does a stroke headache feel like?

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes cause headaches, but the accompanying headaches differ in severity and location.

Hemorrhagic strokes are known to cause “thunderclap headaches.” People often describe this headache as the worst headache of their lives. It attacks hard and fast, reaching maximum strength within seconds to minutes. It usually affects the entire head.

Ischemic stroke headaches are often gradual in onset and long-lasting. Symptoms tend to be milder than thunderclap headaches and are often described as similar to tension-type headaches. Ischemic stroke headaches can affect one or both sides of the head.

The specific location of your headache does not mean you have a stroke. Where the headache occurs depends on the part of the brain that is affected. for example:

Strokes that begin in the carotid arteries (the main arteries in the neck that carry blood to the brain) can cause headaches on the forehead and behind the eyes.stroke in vertebrobasilar (VB) system (which supplies blood to the back of the brain) can cause headaches in the back of the head or upper neck.

Headaches may occur before, during, or after stroke symptoms begin. One study found that 86% of people reported a headache within the first day of experiencing stroke symptoms. The remainder developed headaches 2 to 5 days later.

stroke headache and migraine

Migraines are also so bad that you may wonder if you are experiencing them. There are some important differences between the two that are worth noting.

stroke headache

Pain comes on quickly and may peak within seconds to minutes

Pain tends to start without warning

Accompanied by neurological symptoms such as confusion, weakness, and loss of balance

migraine

the pain gradually becomes stronger

Often caused by stress, fatigue, changes in weather, strong light or smells

Pain is often preceded by sensory symptoms, such as a tingling sensation on the skin or flashing lights.

In rare cases, migraine strokes may occur. In this case, a person experiences both a migraine and a stroke with aura (head pain and sensory disturbances).

Is there a possibility of an aneurysm?

Ann aneurysm A bulge or weak area in the walls of blood vessels in or around the brain. Not all aneurysms rupture. However, this can cause bleeding in the brain, causing a hemorrhagic stroke.

When a brain aneurysm ruptures, it usually causes a severe, thunderous headache. You may also experience other headache symptoms related to aneurysms, such as:

Severe neck stiffness Nausea and vomiting Pain around or behind the eyes Loss of consciousness

Many aneurysms begin as small “microbleeds” before a more severe rupture occurs. These leaks are often accompanied by a sudden headache, but the pain may not be as severe as a thunderclap headache.

An unruptured aneurysm may not cause any symptoms at first. However, large unruptured aneurysms are known to cause:

Gradually worsening headache Numbness or weakness on one side of the face Changes in vision or diplopia Dilation of the pupils

Other stroke symptoms

When a stroke causes a headache, other stroke symptoms are also usually present, such as:

Weakness on one side of the body Numbness on one side of the body Dizziness or loss of balance Slurred speech Inability to write or manage small hand movements Inability to understand others Difficulty Double or blurred vision

The symptoms a person experiences depend on the area of ​​the brain affected. For example, strokes that affect the cerebrum may primarily impair language abilities, whereas strokes that affect the cerebellum may cause loss of coordination.

The importance of immediate treatment for stroke

If you suddenly have a severe headache that is different from any pain you have experienced before, or if you have other signs and symptoms of a stroke, seek emergency medical care without delay.

Stroke can be fatal and every minute counts. Because stroke damages the brain, early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing the long-term effects of this condition.

Even if you haven’t had a stroke, a sudden, very painful headache can be a sign of other serious medical conditions (such as bleeding in the brain or infection) that need immediate treatment.

summary

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic strokes often cause tension-type headaches that affect one or both sides of the head. Hemorrhagic strokes are known to cause thunderclap headaches, which come on quickly and intensely and usually affect the entire head. Both tend to occur without warning and occur with other classic stroke symptoms, such as weakness, numbness, dizziness, and slurred speech.

A stroke is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of a stroke, such as a sudden, severe headache, call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

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