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What Causes A Pulsating Sensation At The Back Of The Head?
Question: I am an 18yr old high school student and I have been having a pulsing sensation of stabbing pain in the back of head on one side and it comes and goes and if its not completely bad it last from a few seconds to a minute but if its really bad then it last from 3-5min it comes either everyday or a every few days or once a week or once every few weeks. its completely random and it happens when on concentrating or or when I'm completely relaxed and not doing anything. can u help tell me what is happening and why
Brief Answer:
Suggestive of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.
I have noted your clinical details. Based on this, the most likely diagnosis is trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TCA). This belongs to primary headache syndromes and there is no direct cause. It is not a serious disease and responds well to medical treatment.
The effective medications include indomethacin, lamotrigine, gabapentin or topiramate.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Suggestive of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.
I have noted your clinical details. Based on this, the most likely diagnosis is trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TCA). This belongs to primary headache syndromes and there is no direct cause. It is not a serious disease and responds well to medical treatment.
The effective medications include indomethacin, lamotrigine, gabapentin or topiramate.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
how is it headache syndrome if it feels nothing like a headache? how long does it last because this has been happen for years, it started when i was like 15 or 16, can it cause any kind of damage if left alone?
Brief Answer:
It does not cause any damage.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
"Stabbing pain at the back of head" is considered as part of headache syndrome, by the expert panel on headache classification. I agree it is not like other headache syndromes such as migraine or tension type headache, where the headache episodes last for several hours.
This can go on for several years, however, it does not lead to any damage, if left alone.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
It does not cause any damage.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
"Stabbing pain at the back of head" is considered as part of headache syndrome, by the expert panel on headache classification. I agree it is not like other headache syndromes such as migraine or tension type headache, where the headache episodes last for several hours.
This can go on for several years, however, it does not lead to any damage, if left alone.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
just so informed, I cracked my head 3times, been hit in the head with a bat, and had my head slammed into doors, walls, floors and punched in the head. I also just got off of a 3month concussion on friday. if this makes any difference or gives a good perspective on things
Brief Answer:
A brain scan should be done.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back with more information.
In view of history of repeated head trauma, you should undergo a CT scan of the brain, to make sure there is no evidence of internal bleeding/contusion.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
A brain scan should be done.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back with more information.
In view of history of repeated head trauma, you should undergo a CT scan of the brain, to make sure there is no evidence of internal bleeding/contusion.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
if there was internal bleeding wouldn't there be signs of it just in your daily life to know something was wrong, or is it hidden and people walk around and not know its there until they drop one day. what are the dangers of internal bleeding/contusions?
Brief Answer:
Symptoms depend on size and location of bleeding.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Small bleeds may remain asymptomatic and not cause any severe symptoms. Larger bleeds would cause symptoms such as severe headache, vomiting, drowsiness, weakness of arm/leg, etc. Most cases of small bleeding do not get worse and people get better over time on their own.
Also, location is important. In critical parts of brain such as brain stem, even a small bleeding can cause drowsiness or coma.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Symptoms depend on size and location of bleeding.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Small bleeds may remain asymptomatic and not cause any severe symptoms. Larger bleeds would cause symptoms such as severe headache, vomiting, drowsiness, weakness of arm/leg, etc. Most cases of small bleeding do not get worse and people get better over time on their own.
Also, location is important. In critical parts of brain such as brain stem, even a small bleeding can cause drowsiness or coma.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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