Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Although a common ailment, headaches vary greatly in their intensity, ranging from a mild nuisance to debilitating and severely painful. A “splitting headache” typically equates to a severe headache. This is not a medical term, but a common description of a certain quality or character of headache that can have one of several underlying causes.
While enduring a splitting headache, a person would likely find it difficult to engage in their daily routine, whether that’s at home, work, or school.
This article will review the symptoms, causes, and treatment of a splitting headache. It will also discuss when your splitting headache may be a sign of something serious, warranting immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a Splitting Headache
A splitting headache may be felt on both sides of the head or be localized to one area, like the temple, back of the head, or even the face. Depending on the cause of the splitting headache, it can be described in different ways—for example, throbbing,stabbing, piercing, or burning, among others.
Likewise, several unique symptoms may accompany a splitting headache. Examples of these symptoms include:
Causes of Splitting Headache
A splitting headache may be classified as either a primary or secondary headache.
Primary vs. Secondary HeadachesPrimary headachesarise on their own, whereassecondary headachesare a result of another health issue, such as an underlying disease, a pregnancy, or medications.
Primary vs. Secondary Headaches
Primary headachesarise on their own, whereassecondary headachesare a result of another health issue, such as an underlying disease, a pregnancy, or medications.
Primary headache disorders that may cause splitting head pain include:
There are multiple secondary causes for a splitting headache.
One worrisome cause is a potentially life-threatening condition called asubarachnoid hemorrhage. This is a type ofbrain bleedin which blood collects in the space between the brain and the skull.
A subarachnoid hemorrhage can cause athunderclap headache. This is an explosive, extremely severe headache that begins suddenly. It rapidly peaks in intensity in seconds or within a minute. It’s sometimes referred to as the “worst headache of your life.”
Other serious conditions that can produce a thunderclap headache include:
Thunderclap Headache Is a Medical EmergencyIf you experience a thunderclap headache, it’s important to call 911 or seek emergency medical attention.
Thunderclap Headache Is a Medical Emergency
If you experience a thunderclap headache, it’s important to call 911 or seek emergency medical attention.
Examples of other health conditions that may cause a splitting headache are:
How to Treat a Splitting Headache
The treatment of a splitting headache involves addressing the underlying cause. For example, obtaining relief from a splitting headache identified as a migraine usually requires some type of over-the-counter or prescription medication for relief.
The medications used for the acute treatment of migraines include:
Migraine Prevention
If you experience frequent or prolonged migraine headaches, or if your migraine attacks negatively impact your quality of life, you may be a candidate forpreventive migraine therapies.
These include:
Treatment of other causes of a splitting headache involve the following:
Potentially life-threatening secondary headaches like abrain bleedormeningitisrequire hospital care, including close monitoring, intravenous (IV) medications, and/or surgery.
Complications Associated With a Splitting Headache
Depending on the underlying diagnosis, various complications may arise from a splitting headache.
For example, two rare complications associated with migraine include:
Complications associated with an untreated dangerous “splitting headache,” like a thunderclap headache, include permanent neurological deficits (e.g., weakness or loss of sensation on one side of the body), seizure, or even death.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of a Splitting Headache?
The diagnosis of your splitting headache as a migraine usually requires a medical and family history and neurological exam.
Imaging or other diagnostic tests are not typically needed unless the neurological exam is abnormal and/or a cluster headache or secondary headache is suspected.
Some of these tests may include:
A splitting headache that is new or associated with worrisome symptoms warrants urgent or emergent medical investigation.
Be sure to see your healthcare provider in the following situations:
Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Go to your nearest emergency room if your headache:
Summary
There are many possible causes of a “splitting” or severe headache. A common cause is a migraine, which is athrobbing headachethat is aggravated with movement. Less commonly, a splitting headache is indicative of a cluster headache, or a sign that something serious is going on in the body, such as a stroke or brain infection.
In order to get to the bottom of your splitting headache, your healthcare provider may order various diagnostic tests, like a scan of your brain. Treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis but often involves taking some sort of medication or (very rarely) undergoing a health intervention, like surgery.
Possibly. A headache associated with infection with COVID-19 has been described as pulsating or pressing, moderate to severe in intensity, and located on both sides of the head.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For instance, a splitting headache that is a migraine may be treated with an over-the-counter or prescription medication, along with napping in a cool, dark room.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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