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Headache in raised intracranial pressure

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The characteristic features of the headache in raised intracranial pressure are:

  • generalised ache over cranium
  • worst on awakening - the brain is relatively poorly supplied by oxygen as a result of hypoventilation during the sleeping hours
  • may awaken patient from sleep
  • aggravated by bending, stooping
  • severity gradually progresses

The headache is associated with:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • obscurations - transient loss of vision - with sudden change in posture; indicates markedly elevated intracranial pressure
  • eventually, impaired conscious level

Investigation should be with a CT scan.

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