Ictal headache
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101370821
2007-01-17T17:57:10Z
CKlunck
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'''Ictal headaches''' are [[headache]]s associated with [[seizure]] activity. They may occur either before (pre-ictal) or after (post-ictal) a seizure, and in rare circumstances during a seizure. Many cases of ictal headache may be misdiagnosed as [[migraine]] with [[Aura (symptom)|aura]], or even [[cluster headache]]. However, while these conditions usually involve just one side of the head (are [[unilateral]]), an ictal headache may be centrally situated or cover the entirety of the head.
Severity of ictal headaches can vary from a slight pressure or "cloud" to an intensity far beyond migraine. Some have called it a "suicide headache" in the worst instances. Temporary blindness may also occur in some cases.
Ictal headaches can often be controlled with [[anticonvulsant]]s.
Symptoms besides headache may be either present or absent, and may include unusual thoughts or experiences. In these cases it is especially important to obtain a correct diagnosis. Many people with these experiences are accidentally diagnosed with conditions such as [[psychosis]] or [[schizophrenia]] and given [[antipsychotic]] medications, which may actually increase seizure activity.
An [[Electroencephalography|EEG]] is recommended to detect other signs of [[epilepsy]]. Even when an EEG does not prove determinative, anticonvulsants may be a first line of treatment if these symptoms are present with headache.
== See also ==
* [[Headache]]
* [[Epilepsy]]
== External links ==
* [http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1063754930.html Seizures and Headaches: They Don't Have to Go Together]
[[Category:Headaches]]