User:Mr. Ibrahem/Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a disease characterized by many areas of constriction and dilation of arteries around the brain. Symptoms typically include recurrent and severe headaches of sudden onset (thunderclap headaches). Other symptoms may include vomiting, sensivity to light, confusion, focal neurologic signs, and seizures. Complications may include subarachnoid bleeding and stroke.

Risk factors include childbirth, vasoactive drugs, and complications of pregnancy. Drugs that have been implicated include cocaine, sumatriptan, diet pills, SSRIs, and pseudoephedrine. Diagnosis is generally by medical imaging. Other conditions that may present similarly include subarachnoid bleeding due to an aneurysm, cerebral artery dissection, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, ischemic stroke, pituitary apoplexy, and cerebral vasculitis.

Calcium channel blockers, such as nimodipine, have been used for treatment. For the vast majority, all symptoms disappear on their own within three weeks. Deficits persist in a minority, with severe complications or death being very rare.

While how often it occurs is unknown, it is believed to be relatively common. Those affected are most often 20 to 50 years old. Females are affected more often than males. The condition was first described in the 1960s; however, the current name did not come into use until 2007.