Sharp Pain in Head

Sharp pain in head can be a symptom of mild as well as serious medial conditions. There are different types of headaches experienced in different parts of the head. For e.g., one may experience sharp pain in head on right side, on left side, behind the ear etc. One may also experience sharp pain in head when coughing or when bending over. Let us have a look at the causes of severe headaches. Read more on headache.

Causes of Sharp Pain in Head
The following are the prominent and major causes of severe headache.

Migraine
Migraine is the headache experienced on one side of the head and it can be mild to severe. Sometimes the pain is so intense and throbbing that the person is unable to perform even his daily activities. Along with sharp pain in head, the person also experiences other symptoms like sensitivity to light or sound, nausea or vomiting. Migraine is commonly observed more in women than men and it can last for a number of hours. Read more on migraine.

Sinus Infections or Sinusitis
Sharp pain in head behind eyes or behind ear is mostly due to sinusitis. Among the various types of sinusitis, sphenoid sinusitis can cause sharp pain in head behind eyes, whereas, frontal and ethmoid sinusitis can cause sharp pain in head behind ear or eye. Constant headache or sharp pain in head when bending over is seen in people suffering from chronic sinusitis. Read more on sinus infections.

Meningitis
Meningitis is the inflammation of meninges, i.e., tissues surrounding brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis is fatal and is caused due to bacterial or viral infection. Sharp pain in entire head and stiff neck are the most common symptoms of meningitis. Besides, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, seizures or unconsciousness, loss of appetite are also observed. Sometimes, along with meningitis, other complications like gangrene and faster heart rate are observed. Read more on viral meningitis symptoms and treatment.

Encephalitis
Encephalitis, a rare but fatal disease, is the inflammation of the brain caused due to a virus. The most common symptom is sharp pain in head. Along with headache, other symptoms observed are nausea, vomiting, seizures, convulsions, etc. Encephalitis results in death due to respiratory arrest.

Brain Tumor
A sudden onset of severe and sharp head pain can be a symptom of brain tumor. As the tumors grow, the pain increases and becomes intolerable. Sudden sharp headache without any history indicates the possibility of brain tumor. The other symptoms observed are seizures, convulsions, confusion or loss of mental alertness, etc. Traumatic brain injury due to any reasons can also cause sharp pain in head. Read more on brain tumor.

Apart from these major causes, hangover, withdrawal, coital cephalalgia, spinal or vascular headache can also cause severe headache. Hormonal headaches caused due to changes in hormones are experienced in one side of the head. Headaches in back of head is caused due to stress, mental tension, depression or improper posture. It is mostly the type of sharp pain in head that comes and goes.

Read more on:

• Headaches in Back of Head
• Headache Behind Eyes

Prevention and Treatment
One needs to look out and identify the causes of sharp pain in head. If it is a sudden, intolerable pain, one must consult the doctor to find the cause of it. If other symptoms are also observed along with head pain, one must immediately call for emergency medical help. Brain injuries and trauma can be prevented by wearing helmets.

One should not ignore the sharp pain in head as it can be a symptom of any major disorder and can be fatal. On the other hand, if it is a mild one, one can get relief by taking pain killers or other medications.