Cluster Headaches

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Treatments For Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are like migraines vascular headaches. A sever pain affects one side of the head, behind or above the eye. It usually comes with other symtptoms like tearing, a droopy eye, pupil changes, sweating. The pain itself comes in several episodes (clusters), each between 5 and 180 minutes in length just to appear for weeks or months. Cluster headaches often occur at the same time every day, often in the night during dreaming phase (REM).

Men are more often victims of cluster headaches then women. The headache comes suddenly without warning. During the headache the person is restless and moving around. Often a strong exercise can help. This is different to migraines where the person finds relief in lying down and relaxation.

Although the real causes are unknown, it's assumed that the pain derives from the dilution of the blood vessels which put pressure on then trigeminal nerve. Another theory is that the cluster headache comes from a disfunction of the hypothalamus because the headaches come about the same time each day. The hypothalamus is responsible for the biological clock.

Since the attacks come so quickly a treatment is difficult once the headache has started. As mentioned a strong workout can help because it provides the body with more oxygen. An easier way to do that is to inhale pure oxygen. The oxygen therapy helps only if started in the early beginning of the headache. It has been reported that it can stop the attacks within five minutes.

Poplar headche pain killers like over-the-counter drugs Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Paracetamol have no effect. Even morphine has limited effect. A newer drug like fentanyl can bring ease within 5 minutes. Triptan drugs like zolmitriptan and sumatriptan can also help. Another short-term treatment is the injection of steroids. Orally taken drugs will not work fast enough.

The fastest way still is the oxygen therapy. Some report a relief after drinking a strong cup of coffee or having a cold shower. Feverfew, which has some success with migraines, has shown to be of limited use with cluster headaches.

Migraines are often confused with cluster headaches. While both are vascular headaches, symptoms and treatments are different. The biggest differences are that migraines can take very long, several hours or the whole day and that relaxation brings ease. Often you can feel a migraine coming up. Cluster headaches instead come suddenly without warning, are shorter but with repeated strikes and relaxation worsens the pain.