Understanding Arterial Dissection
For us, as the general public, it is important for us to be aware, as well. There are many causes of arterial dissection, and they don’t need to be as big as a car crash to cause this problem. Potential causes can include:
- Connective tissue disorders
- Neck trauma
- history of trauma, such as whiplash
- Extreme head positions for long periods of time, for example, painting a ceiling
- Rapid head movements, for example, from a roller coaster or the chiropractor
- Weightlifting and carrying heavy objects
- Recent Illness
- An illness that has caused heavy vomiting
- Upper respiratory infection that has caused heavy coughing
- Smoking
- High blood pressure and hardened arteries
Symptoms of an arterial dissection are severe and sudden head pain, particularly behind one eye, severe neck pain, and stroke-like symptoms. This pain usually comes on suddenly, doesn’t go away, and resembles a cluster headache, migraine, or thunderclap headache. If you have recently experienced any of the potential causes listed above and are experiencing these symptoms, go seek medical attention right away. Explain your symptoms, what you think it might be and why, and ask for the physician to check.