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
In the context of headaches, SUNT and SUNA are acronyms used to remember the red flag features (warning signs) that suggest a serious secondary cause of headache.
Searching sources...
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.