Cluster headaches are a rare, but one of the most painful forms of headache. Over the counter medications have little impact on this type of headache, but there are lifestyle changes and medically prescribed options that can help. Learn how to alleviate a cluster headache.
Excruciating headaches that come in a pattern, or clusters, are known as cluster headaches. Frequent headache attacks last in week or monthly cycles and alternate with periods of remission when no headaches occur. Every person who experiences cluster headaches has their own pattern, but most experience one to two of these cluster headache cycles a year.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487 If you experience clusters of headaches, always consult your doctor to rule out more serious health problems.
How to Reduce & Relieve Headaches: How to Identify Cluster Headaches
Learn how to identify cluster headaches with Dr. Susan Jewell, a medical doctor and clinical research medicine specialist. She discusses risk factors and standard symptoms of cluster headaches in this short, but informative video. Cluster headaches typically affect men and can last from 15 minutes to several hours for periods of weeks or even months.
Step 1: Identify Cluster Headaches
Proper treatment to alleviate a cluster headache begins with recognizing the symptoms.
Symptoms of cluster headaches include:
- Intense head pain, often around the eyes, neck, head and face
- Tearing
- Eye Redness
- Droopy Eyelid
- Pupil size reduced
- Restlessness
- Pain only on one side
- Headaches that occur every day, often at the same time of day
- Attacks occurs rapidly and ends suddenlyhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487/DSECTION=symptoms
Step 2: Home Remedies
You can take some steps to help alleviate your cluster headaches at home, without medication.
- Do not use tobacco products since nicotine is a trigger for cluster headaches
- Avoid exposure to chemicals such as gasoline, solvents and oil based paints
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages
- Sleep on a regular schedule
- Avoid high altitudes
- Do not consume foods or medications with nitrates such as processed foods, smoked products and nitroglycerin.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies
Step 3: Medically Prescribed Options
If lifestyle changes do not moderate your symptoms, consult your doctor for prescription options to help alleviate your cluster headaches. Over the counter pain medications are generally ineffective on these types of headaches.
Preventative Medicine Options
- Corticosteroids. May be used as a short-term option.
- Ergotamine. A tablet that is placed under your tong or in rectal suppository format. Typically used to prevent cluster headache attacks at night.
- Nerve block. Placing anesthetic around the occipital nerve can help temporarily block the pain.
- Calcium Channel Blockers. This medicine is a common longer-term medical option to manage cluster headaches, but may have uncomfortable side effects like constipation, dizziness, fatigue and low blood pressure.
- Lithium Carbonate. This medication may be used, but must be monitored closely to prevent side effects such as kidney damage, tremors and diarrhea.
- Anti-Seizure medicationshttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
During an Attack:
- Triptans. This form of medicine is also used to treat migraine headaches. Forms include injection and nasal spray.
- Dihydroergotamine. This medication works best as an IV drip for fast relief, but is available in injections or inhaler formats.
- Octreotide. This is a brain hormone that is used for patients that also suffer from high blood pressure or some forms heart disease. It comes in an injectable format.
- Anesthetics. Lidocaine and other local anesthetics may be prescribed as nasal drops to help relieve cluster headache symptoms.
- Oxygen. Inhaling oxygen is a common and typically effective form of treatment, but it is cumbersome. For some patients, oxygen only delays the onset of a cluster headache. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
New Treatment Options:
Step 4: Surgery
Surgical options for cluster headaches are used as a last resort for patients who do not respond to lifestyle changes and medications.
Surgical options include:
- Invasive Surgery to cut the trigeminal nerve. Rarely performed due to the risk of eye damage.
- Injections of glycerol into facial nerves has less risk than other surgical options. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Avoid tobacco products since they can trigger cluster headaches
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Fact:
Consider preventative medicine options to help alleviate ongoing cluster headaches
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Fact:
Multiple medicines are available by prescription to use one a cluster headache begins that can shorten the duration of the attack, or can alleviate some of the pain.
