Hemicranial Continua

This disorder is characterized by persistent pain on one side of the head or face that lasts for more than three months. While the severity of the pain can vary, that level of continuous pain is often punctuated by short episodes of more severe, throbbing pain.

The sufferer may also have:

• Redness of the eyes
• Tearing
• Runny nose or nasal congestion
• A drooping eyelid

Rarely this condition can mimic migraine symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sound as well as cause sweating and nausea.

Paroxysmal Hemicrania

Patients suffering from Paroxysmal Hemicrania have intense pain on one side of the head or face, usually centralized behind the eye. This condition is episodic, with the patient enduring attacks up to 40 times a day. The duration of the episodes can range from just a few minutes to a half-hour.

Additional symptoms are:

• Radiating pain, often to the back of the neck
  • Pain described as boring or claw-like

• Red eyes and tearing
• Drooping or swollen eyelids
• Periods of remission from pain

Individual treatments will depend on the cause of your hemicranial headaches. Your neurosurgeon will guide you to the best management therapies and treatments for your specific symptoms.

Common treatments for hemicrania continua include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication (such as indomethacin)
• Episodic prevention with antidepressants

Common treatments for paroxysmal hemicrania include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Corticosteroids
• Calcium channel-blocking medications

In some cases, a microvascular decompression may be required to bring the pain under control.