Exploding Head Syndrome

Posted on November 6, 2007 in Latest News

Exploding head syndrome is a mysterious medical condition that causes the sufferer to occasionally experience a loud noise as if from within his/her own head. It is usually described as an explosion, roar or a ringing noise.

It most commonly occurs in the twilight stage as the individual is falling asleep and less commonly awakening. This is not the result of a dream and can happen during the day as well. Although perceived as tremendously loud, the event is normally painless. In many cases a sudden stab of pain in the head is reported

It is considered not so dangerous, but it is sometimes distressing to experience. Sufferers often feel a sense of fear and anxiety after an attack, accompanied by an increased heart rate.

Exploding head syndrome can be confused with other headache syndromes. But exploding head is normally painless. Headache syndromes can cause great pain.

It is not known how many people have exploding head syndrome. It may be more common in women than in men. It can begin at any stage. It has even been reported that it may occur as early as less than 10 years of age. The average age when it first appears is 58 years.

Causes of Exploding Head Syndrome

The cause of Exploding Head Syndrome is unknown and can be confused with headaches. Parents with children suffering from the condition may confuse it with a nightmare or other trauma.

A flash of light may come along with the sound. A muscle twitch or jerk may also occur. The condition may happen or develop at any time. The number of attacks varies. They can happen very rarely. They can also occur many times in one night. Some people report having a cluster of attacks over several nights. It may occur in a space of days or weeks followed by months of remission.

Treatment of Exploding Head Syndrome

There is some evidence that the medicine clomipramine may help in treating exploding head symptoms. But, if it occurs repeatedly, immediately consult your doctor. Check out carefully whether it is associated with any other disorders you are suffering from such as inadequate sleep, stress, anxiety and take the necessary steps.

Please note that EHS does not, in fact, cause the head to explode.

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Comments

2 Responses to “Exploding Head Syndrome”

  1. April Says:
    May 6th, 2008 at 2:18 am

    I experienced this for the first time the night of May 4, 2008. Just as I was falling asleep. While the noise was very loud and startled me, at first I felt a great peace and relaxed as though a great weight had been lifted from me. Then my heartrate sped up and I started to feel anxious as I realized I had no clue what had happened or why. And I didn’t know if it was serious. I happen to be under a great deal of stress and can probably ascertain without any great effort that stress is what brought this on. I had never heard of it before today. I would certainly like to know more about it.

  2. Dan Says:
    July 30th, 2008 at 12:13 am

    I have had this, it seems to happen when im falling asleep maybe an hour into sleep, I wake up after a large sudden jerk a very loud and frightnening popping / bang inside my head, not very painful but you can feel it. It wakes me in a panic and heart is beating very fast. It has never happened before this year, so far as far as I remember 3 times this year, most times I am so exhausted when the event occurs or after I fall back to sleep so it may have happened more times. I can recall one time it happening where it lightly woke me and feeling scared but very quickly falling back to sleep. Before this started to occur I have regularly start to wake lightly seeing very frightening hallucinations, they can shock me greatly but I have taught myself to tell me they are not real, when I do this they disappear very quickly.

    I have suffered one of these today and saw that these hallucinations can be linked to exploding head syndrome, I think propable caused by fatigue as I get up early and sometimes stay up late, it is becoming a problem for me.

    Anyone had experiences with this disorder?

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