[23F] Experiencing severe sharp pain with sudden movements

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, possible causes include:

• Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and can cause a dull, aching sensation all over your head. It can also lead to intense pain in your neck, behind your eyes, and head. Tension headaches are often the result of stress, anxiety, or muscle strain.

  • Treatment typically involves over-the-counter pain relievers, stress management, and rest.

• Migraine: Migraines are severe headaches that can cause intense throbbing or pulsing in one area of the head. They can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. However, you did not report these additional symptoms.

  • Treatment typically involves medication to relieve symptoms and prevent future attacks.

• Cluster Headache: These are extremely painful headaches that occur in clusters or cyclical patterns. They are usually concentrated on one side of your head or around your eyes. These headaches can wake you up from sleep.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to decrease the severity of the cluster headache, as well as prevent future attacks.

• Temporal Arteritis: This condition is inflammation and damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the head and brain. It can cause headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, and vision problems. However, this condition is rare in people under 50.

  • Treatment typically involves high doses of a corticosteroid drug to reduce inflammation.

What you can do

Given the severity of your pain, it would be best to seek immediate medical attention. Over-the-counter pain relievers may provide temporary relief. Rest and relaxation could also help.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden, severe headache like a thunderclap
• Headache with fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or speaking difficulties
• Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
• A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement
• New headache pain if you're older than 50

Please remember, while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms and condition properly.