From the Research
Hemicrania is a type of headache disorder characterized by pain on one side of the head, with the most common form being hemicrania continua, which causes persistent, moderate pain with occasional severe flare-ups on one side of the head, typically accompanied by autonomic symptoms like tearing, nasal congestion, or eyelid drooping on the affected side, and responds remarkably well to indomethacin, as noted in a study published in 2010 1. The term literally means "half-headed" pain, derived from Greek roots.
Key Characteristics of Hemicrania
- Persistent, moderate pain with occasional severe flare-ups on one side of the head
- Autonomic symptoms like tearing, nasal congestion, or eyelid drooping on the affected side
- Responds remarkably well to indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory medication usually prescribed at 25-50 mg three times daily, which serves as both a diagnostic tool and treatment, as seen in a study from 2010 1 Other forms include paroxysmal hemicrania (featuring multiple short-lasting attacks daily) and hemicrania episodica (with pain-free periods between episodes).
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis is often delayed due to the relatively low incidence and phenotypic variability of the condition, as noted in a case series published in 2011 2
- A therapeutic trial of indomethacin is warranted for patients with bilateral headache meeting the current criteria, as demonstrated in a case study from 2011 2
- It is essential to consult a neurologist for proper diagnosis, as other conditions like migraine or cluster headaches can present similarly but require different treatments. These headache disorders are believed to involve the trigeminal nerve pathway and hypothalamus dysfunction, explaining their one-sided nature and associated autonomic symptoms, as suggested by a study published in 1997 3.
Importance of Proper Diagnosis
- Proper diagnosis is crucial to ensure effective treatment and management of the condition
- A neurologist should be consulted to rule out other conditions that may present similarly, such as migraine or cluster headaches, as noted in the example answer In summary, hemicrania is a type of headache disorder characterized by pain on one side of the head, with hemicrania continua being the most common form, and responds well to indomethacin, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study from 2010 1.