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What Causes Sharp Pain In Upper Head, Light Headedness And Heaviness In Arms?
Question: I have had since, yesterday evening sharp stabbing pains on top of my head. most have occurred on the upper left central side but today they have occurred on the upper mid right side. I am also a bit light headed and have heaviness in my arms with one/off slight tingling.
Brief Answer:
Ice pick headache probable.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If I understand you well it is a question of short lasting pain (seconds) of a stabbing character, which move in their location, not constantly in the same spot. Correct me if I am wrong.
Also you do not describe nausea or vomiting, balance and coordination difficulties, vision abnormalities (double vision, extinction of a part of visual field), and the heaviness involves both upper limbs not the lower ones. I am mentioning these symptoms as they are often present in brain lesions and when there is limb weakness usually it involves both upper and lower limb on the one side.
Judging by that description it corresponds to a type of headache called primary stabbing headache (also called ice pick headache). It is a primary headache meaning there is not an identifiable cause, no brain lesion to worry about. They are more common in patients known to suffer from previous headaches of other types, can be affected by stress as well.
Regarding treatment at times since the episodes are short lasting are left as it is, but if really bothering preventive treatment with Indomathacine (an anti-inflammatory pain killer) in a total dosage of 75-100 mg a day may be used. Relaxation exercises, activities like yoga may be also helpful in relieving the scalp muscle tension.
If other symptoms appear or you have other questions I remain at your disposal.
Ice pick headache probable.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If I understand you well it is a question of short lasting pain (seconds) of a stabbing character, which move in their location, not constantly in the same spot. Correct me if I am wrong.
Also you do not describe nausea or vomiting, balance and coordination difficulties, vision abnormalities (double vision, extinction of a part of visual field), and the heaviness involves both upper limbs not the lower ones. I am mentioning these symptoms as they are often present in brain lesions and when there is limb weakness usually it involves both upper and lower limb on the one side.
Judging by that description it corresponds to a type of headache called primary stabbing headache (also called ice pick headache). It is a primary headache meaning there is not an identifiable cause, no brain lesion to worry about. They are more common in patients known to suffer from previous headaches of other types, can be affected by stress as well.
Regarding treatment at times since the episodes are short lasting are left as it is, but if really bothering preventive treatment with Indomathacine (an anti-inflammatory pain killer) in a total dosage of 75-100 mg a day may be used. Relaxation exercises, activities like yoga may be also helpful in relieving the scalp muscle tension.
If other symptoms appear or you have other questions I remain at your disposal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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