Usually present in women over age 50. Because nausea and vomiting may occur, this type of pain may be confused with migraine. May cause blindness if not promptly treated. Severe, disabling, lancinating pain in distribution of fifth cranial nerve. Episodes of paroxysmal, searing, electrical, stabbing pain lasting a few seconds to minutes and interspersed with a minute or so of relief.
Episodes resolve after minutes to hours but tend to become more frequent over time.
If due to arthritis, pain is generally more pronounced after periods of inactivity. Seen with respiratory tract infections, gastroenteritis, and flu viruses. Is thought to be caused by generalized cranial vasodilatation. Hypertension generally does not cause pain unless significantly elevated. Hypertensive crisis can cause very severe, generalized headache.