What is sunt and suna
Sunt and suna are Romanian words:
- Sunt = "I am" or "they are" (first person singular and third person plural of the verb a fi - "to be")
- Sună = "it sounds" or "he/she calls/rings" (third person singular of the verb a suna - "to sound / to call / to ring")
Examples:
- Eu sunt acasă. = "I am at home."
- Ei sunt acasă. = "They are at home."
- Telefonul sună. = "The phone is ringing."
- El mă sună. = "He is calling me."
Could you give me a bit more context? For example, are you asking about these words in:
- Romanian grammar / language learning?
- A specific sentence or text you encountered?
- Something else entirely (e.g., a different language or subject)?
That way I can give you a more targeted and useful answer.
No no in headaches inm asking
Reading File
Finding Sources
Searching the Web
SUNT SUNA headache red flags acronym mnemonics
Reading File
Great - now I have the full clinical picture from Harrison's. Here is the complete answer:
SUNCT and SUNA - Headache Syndromes
Both are rare Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs) - a group of primary headache disorders involving the trigeminal nerve with associated autonomic features.
SUNCT
Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache attacks with Conjunctival injection and Tearing
- Severe, unilateral orbital or temporal pain - stabbing or throbbing quality
- Attack duration: 5-240 seconds
- Frequency: typically >5 attacks/day (can be many more)
- Must have ipsilateral conjunctival injection AND lacrimation (tearing)
SUNA
Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache Attacks with cranial Autonomic features
- Essentially the same as SUNCT but conjunctival injection or lacrimation is absent or only one is present
- Other autonomic features (e.g. nasal congestion, ptosis, eyelid edema) may still be present
- This is the diagnosis when SUNCT criteria are almost met but the defining features are missing
Key Clinical Features (Both)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Unilateral, anywhere in the head |
| Attack patterns | Single stabs; groups of stabs; or "saw-tooth" (many stabs with incomplete resolution) |
| Triggers | Cutaneous triggers (touching face, eating, talking) |
| Refractory period | None - can be triggered immediately after a previous attack |
| Indomethacin response | No response (this distinguishes it from Paroxysmal Hemicrania) |
How to Distinguish from Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN)
| SUNCT/SUNA | Trigeminal Neuralgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomic features | Present | Minimal or absent |
| Refractory period | Absent | Present |
Investigation
All patients should have:
- Brain MRI with pituitary views (to exclude posterior fossa or pituitary lesions)
- Pituitary function tests
- Secondary SUNCT has been reported with posterior fossa tumors, pituitary lesions, etc.
Treatment
Acute attacks: Not practical to treat (too short). IV lidocaine can be used in hospitalized patients for severe cases.
Prevention:
- Lamotrigine (200-400 mg/day) - most effective
- Topiramate - also used
- Gabapentin - second line
Source: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 22E (2025), Chapter on Headache & Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias
This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.