Ice Pick Headaches

Ice pick headache is usually, described as a sharp and very intense, piercing pain that most commonly affects the orbit or temples of the head. This type of headache occurs all of a sudden, and lasts hardly for a couple of seconds. The pain caused by this headache is often compared with a stabbing or jarring pain. It is classified as 'primary stabbing headache' by the International Headache Society. Many times,it is also referred as ophthalmodynia and periodica.

Ice Pick Headache Causes

As has been mentioned already, International Headache Society has categorized this headache as a primary stabbing headache. The primary headaches usually, do not have an underlying cause. Contrary to primary headaches, the secondary headaches are known to have deeper underlying causes like, stroke or tumor. Being a primary stabbing headache, it is not known to be caused by any disease or disorder, though they are found to have an association with both migraine and cluster headache.

It has been observed that migraine patients are the most common sufferers of this condition. However, ice pick headaches generally, occur independently, and do not accompany migraine headaches. According to estimates, about 40% of migraine victims experience it. Though some researches have suggested its association with certain disorders like, benign brain tumor, cranial trauma and diseases of the blood vessels of the brain, enough conclusive evidences are not there to support such suppositions.

Ice Pick Headache Symptoms

They are most often recognized by their sudden onset and brief duration. Most of the time, the intense and sharp pain that last not more than 30 seconds, has been found to confuse and frighten the sufferer. They are usually, confine to the head only. It more commonly affects the orbit, temples of the head and the parietal region. Though these headaches last only for 5 to 30 seconds, they can incapacitate the affected person, during this short duration. They can recur, sometimes several times in a single day. Apart from the above mentioned characteristic stabbing pain, they are generally, not accompanied by any other symptom.

Ice Pick Headache Treatment

Treating it is a bit difficult, as they last only for a few seconds, and then subside on their own. So, most of the time, they resolve without requiring the administration of any medication. However, if medications would be required for the treatment of recurrent headaches of this nature. Usually, physicians prescribe indomethacin or Indocin for treating and preventing it. Indomethacin is an anti-inflammatory medication, which if used for a prolonged time period can give rise to some side effects like, nausea, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric or stomach ulcers, eye problems and bleeding problems. For the individuals with heart disease, long-term use of this medication can raise the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Along with indomethacin, gabapentin is also used for recurrent headaches. Another medication used for this type of headache is melatonin, the neuro hormone that is used to treat insomnia. The common side effects associated with the intake of melatonin are, fatigue, mood changes and dizziness. Apart from the usual medications, relaxation techniques have been found to be very helpful. Deep breathing relaxation techniques or exercises can help a lot to ease the headaches.

Since they last for a very short duration, maintaining a diary, or noting down the time of occurrence, duration of the headaches, etc. can help to keep a track of such headaches, and their frequency. This in turn, can help the physicians to diagnose the condition properly, and rule out the possibility of some other health conditions. This can also be helpful in determining the triggering factors of such headaches. Though they are not found to be associated with any major health condition, they should not remain undiagnosed. It is always better to consult your physician, rather than thinking that primary stabbing headaches are a minor problem, and would resolve on their own.