Thunderclap Headaches: What Causes Them And How To Treat Them

Imagine getting a severe headache every time you put in a hard day’s work.

Or every time you got into a warm bath after a cold day outside.

Even worse – imagine getting a severe headache every time you experienced an orgasm.

Sadly, this isn’t an imaginary condition for many people.

It’s called a “thunderclap headache,” and it can be incredibly painful.

In fact, some have described it as the worst pain they’ve ever experienced.

As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, I’ve worked with people who suffer from thunderclap headaches in the past.

But what is a thunderclap headache?

What causes it?

And are there naturopathic solutions that can help?

Read on to find out.

What Is A Thunderclap Headache?

Now, maybe you’ve had some pretty rough headaches in the past.

I think we all have at some point or another.

But just because you have a terrible headache doesn’t necessarily mean you have a thunderclap headache.

A thunderclap headache is different from a normal headache.

First of all, it can pop up seemingly out of nowhere, incredibly quickly.

One minute, you’re relaxing at home with your spouse eating a bowl of popcorn and watching your favourite movie, and the next you’re doubled over, suffering the worst headache of your life.

It will generally reach its peak after about 60 seconds, so when I said one minute to the next, I wasn’t exaggerating.

These headaches sometimes pass after about five minutes.

If that’s the case with you, consider yourself lucky – thunderclap headaches have been reported as lasting up to ten days.

You may feel it anywhere in your head, as well as your neck or lower back.

And finally, you may feel nauseous, experience vomiting, suffer a seizure or stroke, or lose consciousness altogether.

In rare cases, thunderclap headaches have been known to be fatal.

Yikes.

What Causes A Thunderclap Headache?

Unfortunately, there is no single cause linked with thunderclap headaches.

But there are several possibilities.

A study published in the peer reviewed journal The Journal Of Headache And Pain found a connection with thunderclap headaches and a condition called reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, or RCVS for short.

Another study in Obstetrics And Gynecology further confirmed the connection between thunderclap headaches and RCVS after examining a case with a recent mother.

Thunderclap headaches have also been connected with several other health issues, including subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a case of internal bleeding from one of the arteries that run in the space surrounding your brain.

It can also be caused by several other arterial issues, including blood clots, small tears in the arteries, aneurysms, venous thrombosis, arterial dissection, or rapid changes in blood pressure, as well as spinal fluid leakage, brain infections, and even brain tumours.

A study in the journal Headache describes several possible triggers for thunderclap headaches, including hard physical exertion, extreme emotional situations, sex, and bathing, among others.

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These triggers, though, are likely only to occur in cases where one of the above listed conditions already exists.

Treating Patients With Thunderclap Headaches

To figure out what’s causing your thunderclap headache, your symptoms are one of the keys.

In case of subarachnoid hemorrhage, for example, you’re more likely to experience loss of consciousness, seizures, and vomiting.

Meanwhile, if you’re suffering from an arterial dissection, you’re likely to feel the pain only on one side of your head.

You may also experience blurring vision and weakness on the same side of your body.

Regardless, though, further examination is required to find out exactly what’s wrong.

You may need to get a CT scan or an MRI of your brain, get your blood pressure checked, or a spinal tap to test your spinal fluid.

Either way, if you believe you may be experiencing a thunderclap headache, call 911 immediately.

Thunderclap headaches can be life threatening.

Managing Symptoms Of Thunderclap Headaches

There is currently no known cure for thunderclap headaches.

However, if you’ve been diagnosed with thunderclap headaches, there are a few things you can do to help deal with the symptoms.

Please note that none of these should be used as a supplement for proper medical attention.

When it comes to something that could be life threatening, speak to your doctor.

1. Eat More Turmeric

Turmeric is a root that’s often used as a culinary spice.

If you’re a fan of Indian cooking, turmeric is what gives curries their pungent aroma and distinct yellow colour.

It’s also what gives table mustard its colour.

Turmeric acts as a natural painkiller and anti inflammatory, which may reduce the severity of your headaches.

Turmeric has many other uses as well, including as treatment for gallbladder stones, reducing your risk of colorectal cancer, and managing multiple sclerosis.

2. Take Belladonna

Belladonna is plant that grows across Europe and Western Asia up to the Himalayas.

In larger doses it’s poisonous, but preparing it in a homeopathic tincture renders it safe.

It’s useful for disorders that involve intense symptoms with a rapid onset, which as we mentioned, fits the bill for thunderclap headaches.

If you’re considering belladonna tincture, it’s a good idea to talk to me about it first, to make sure you’re getting it from a reputable source that prepared it properly.

3. Include Blood Thinning Vegetables

Garlic, onions, and peppers are all known to act as blood thinners, which can help prevent blood clots as well as reduce their severity.

Because thunderclap headaches can be caused by blood clots, this makes sense.

4. Reduce Your Blood Pressure

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension), it could be contributing to your thunderclap headaches.

Eating a diet designed to reduce your blood pressure, which includes reducing salt and increasing calcium and magnesium, may help.

Stress and anxiety reducing techniques, including yoga and mindfulness meditation, can also help to lower your blood pressure.

RELATED: How To Reduce Your Stress, Naturally

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ

At best, thunderclap headaches can be extremely distressing.

At worst, they can be fatal.

So naturally, it’s a good idea to do everything you can to manage them.

As you seek medical treatment for these headaches, consider a naturopathic approach as well.

I’m Dr. JJ, a naturopathic doctor here in Toronto, and I also have a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences.

So I live in the naturopathic world, but I’m also ready, willing, and able to work alongside your medical team to complement what they’re doing.

Book your appointment with me, Dr. JJ, today.