The key difference between paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua is that paroxysmal hemicrania is a type of headache disorder that results in repeated, sudden headaches that go away within a few minutes, while hemicrania continua is a type of headache disorder that results in persistent headaches that rarely or never go away.
Headache disorders are characterized by recurrent headaches. Paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua are two different types of headache disorders. Both these conditions affect one side of your face and head. However, both these conditions can be managed by taking specific medications.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Paroxysmal Hemicrania
3. What is Hemicrania Continua
4. Similarities – Paroxysmal Hemicrania and Hemicrania Continua
5. Paroxysmal Hemicrania vs Hemicrania Continua in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Paroxysmal Hemicrania vs Hemicrania Continua
What is Paroxysmal Hemicrania?
Paroxysmal hemicrania is a headache disorder that results in repeated, sudden headaches. In this condition, people may experience painful headaches on one side of the head or face. Although these headaches do not last long, they happen several times a day. Sometimes people might experience chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, as well. In chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, people get headaches almost every day. This condition is also called Sjaastad syndrome.
The common symptoms of paroxysmal hemicrania may include throbbing, claw-like, or stabbing pain on one side of the face that can last from a few minutes to 30 minutes, pain behind one eye, red colour eye, rearing eye, drooping or swollen eye, flushing in the face, nasal congestion and pain, sensitivity to light as well as noise, nausea, and vomiting. Moreover, the causes of paroxysmal hemicrania are head trauma, pituitary tumour, and arteriovenous malformations. Certain things such as cheese, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, changes in temperature, exercises, stress, and applying pressure to the neck can trigger paroxysmal hemicrania.
The diagnosis methods for paroxysmal hemicrania include a physical examination and brain scans (CT scan and MRI). Furthermore, treatment options for paroxysmal hemicrania are prescribed medications such as indomethacin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), and avoiding triggers.
What is Hemicrania Continua?
Hemicrania continua is a headache disorder that results in constant pain in one side of the face and head. It causes persistent headaches that rarely or never go away. Healthcare providers do not know what causes hemicrania continua. It is not linked to environmental factors like stress or lack of sleep. Therefore, it is basically idiopathic. The symptoms of hemicrania continua include eye pain, nausea and vomiting, drooping eyelids, red eyes and tearing, runny nose, and sensitivity to light and noises.
Moreover, hemicrania continua can be diagnosed through physical symptoms, medical history, MRI, and CT scans. Furthermore, hemicrania continua is treated by taking a medication called indomethacin (Tivorbex®).
What are the Similarities Between Paroxysmal Hemicrania and Hemicrania Continua?
- Paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua are two types of headache disorders.
- Both headache disorders affect one side of the face and the head.
- Both headache disorders may have similar symptoms, such as eye pain, nausea, vomiting, etc.
- Both headache disorders can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
- They are treated through a specific medication called indomethacin.
What is the Difference Between Paroxysmal Hemicrania and Hemicrania Continua?
Paroxysmal hemicrania is a type of headache disorder that results in repeated, sudden headaches which go away within a few minutes, while hemicrania continua is a type of headache disorder that results in persistent headaches which rarely or never go away. Thus, this is the key difference between paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua. Furthermore, paroxysmal hemicrania is caused by head trauma, pituitary tumour, and arteriovenous malformations. On the other hand, hemicrania continua is caused by unknown reasons.
The below infographic presents the differences between paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Paroxysmal Hemicrania vs Hemicrania Continua
Headache disorders are responsible for recurrent headaches. Paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua are two types of headache disorders that affect one side of the face and head. However, paroxysmal hemicrania causes repeated, sudden headaches which go away within a few minutes, while hemicrania continua causes persistent headaches which rarely or never go away. So, this is the key difference between paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua.
Reference:
1. “Paroxysmal Hemicrania: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment.” WebMD.
2. “Hemicrania Continua: What Is It, Causes, Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Woman Touching Her Head” by Pavel Danilyuk (CC0) via Pexels
2. “Headache – Word Cluster” (CC0) via Pixabay