Exploding sensations in the head

Nutrition Health Review, Wntr, 1989

Exploding Sensations in the Head

It is a phenomenon that seems to strike middle-aged and elderly women. "I felt that something was exploding in the back of my head," one patient said. Others describe the experience as "bursting with a flash of light." The sensation has also been likened to "a thunderclap" or "a loud bang" in which the head feels like it is bursting -- except that in none of these instances has any pain been felt.

An English researcher, who describes the syndrome to the medical journal Lancet (7-30-88), suspects that the sensation is underreported and occurs more frequently than the medical profession realizes. J.M.D. Pearce, the author of the report, is associated with the department of neurology at Hull Royal Infirmary in England.

Dr. Pearce described the general condition of the women studied to be in good overall health, without any signs of neurological impairment. "The complaint occurs exclusively when asleep; the victim is awakened by a violent sensation of explosion in the head," he said. Although victims expressed concern about tumor or brain hemorrhage. Pearce believes that the syndrome is completely harmless. The cause, he said, is unknown, but may result from transient disturbances in the middle ear.