There are many people out there today who may experience serious headaches that involve sudden, quick pain in your head that feels as if someone is actually stabbing you in the head. These headaches tend to just come seemingly out of nowhere, and the results can appear quite frightening to those who get these pains. If you have had these pain symptoms, you are one of the many who suffer from what are known as ice pick headaches. Understanding these headache pains is an important step on the road to figuring out how to address your condition.
Those who are likely suffering from ice pick headaches have sometimes told tales of being awakened at night to these sharp, stabbing jolts that can last from a few seconds to about 30 seconds. You could get these pains anywhere on your head – but the most common description of an ice pick is pain near the temple or your eye. At times, you may also experience these pains around the ear, as well. These pains can travel all over your head; in other cases, you might only get them on one area of your head on the occasions when you have the condition appear.
There appears to be no particular underlying cause, and is often associated with migraine sufferers. This does not mean these pains come with the migraine – in fact, only 40% of those with migraines may suffer from this affliction…and the stabbing pains take place at separate times from any migraine being suffered. Getting help for these headaches is pretty tricky considering the fact that they are often so brief that by the time you attempt treatment, the ice pick has faded. Still, when treatment is applied, it usually is something such as indomethacin, which is an NSAID, and should be taken with caution and the full knowledge of side effects.
One other thing to consider: Even if you think you might have these headaches, be sure to document them and see a doctor. It may turn out you have something else, and it’s possible that something could be a sign of serious problems.
Ice pick headaches can be sharp and scary – but if those are what you’re going through, they won’t do you any damage.
