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Cluster headache is a severe and recurring type of headache that typically occurs on one side of the head and is characterized by intense pain that is often described as a burning or piercing sensation. The condition is relatively rare, affecting about 1 in 1000 people, and it is more common in men than women.
Cluster headaches typically occur in cycles, with periods of frequent attacks lasting for several weeks or months, followed by periods of remission lasting for months or even years. The pain associated with cluster headaches often occurs around the eye or temple and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as redness and tearing of the eye, nasal congestion, and restlessness.
The exact cause of cluster headaches is not well understood, but it is believed to be related to abnormalities in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls the body's internal clock and circadian rhythms. Certain triggers, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and changes in sleep patterns, may also play a role in triggering cluster headaches.
Treatment for cluster headaches typically involves a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications. Acute attacks may be managed with medications, such as triptans, oxygen therapy, or nerve blocks, while preventive medications, such as verapamil, lithium, or corticosteroids, may be used to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
In some cases, surgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation, may be considered for severe or refractory cases of cluster headaches. Lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding triggers, maintaining regular sleep patterns, and quitting smoking, may also help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
While cluster headaches can be a chronic and debilitating condition, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.
The exact cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but cluster headache patterns suggest that abnormalities in the body's biological clock (hypothalamus) play a role.
Unlike migraine and tension headache, cluster headache generally isn't associated with triggers, such as foods, hormonal changes or stress.
Once a cluster period begins, however, drinking alcohol may quickly trigger a splitting headache. For this reason, many people with cluster headache avoid alcohol during a cluster period.
Other possible triggers include the use of medications such as nitroglycerin, a drug used to treat heart disease.
There's no cure for cluster headaches. The goal of treatment is to decrease the severity of pain, shorten the headache period and prevent the attacks.
Because the pain of a cluster headache comes on suddenly and might subside within a short time, cluster headache can be difficult to evaluate and treat, as it requires fast-acting medications.
Some types of acute medication can provide some pain relief quickly. The therapies listed below have proved to be most effective for acute and preventive treatment of cluster headache.
Fast-acting treatments available from your doctor include:
Preventive therapy starts at the onset of the cluster episode with the goal of suppressing attacks.
Determining which medicine to use often depends on the length and regularity of your episodes. Under the guidance of your doctor, you can taper off the drugs once the expected length of the cluster episode ends.
Other preventive medications used for cluster headache include anti-seizure medications, such as topiramate (Topamax, Qudexy XR).
Rarely, doctors may recommend surgery for people with chronic cluster headaches who don't find relief with aggressive treatment or who can't tolerate the medications or their side effects.
Sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation involves surgery to implant a neurostimulator that's operated by a hand-held controller. Some research showed quick pain relief and a lower frequency of headaches, but more studies are needed.
Several small studies found that occipital nerve stimulation on one or both sides may be beneficial. This involves implanting an electrode next to one or both occipital nerves.
Some surgical procedures for cluster headache attempt to damage the nerve pathways thought to be responsible for pain, most commonly the trigeminal nerve that serves the area behind and around your eye.
However, the long-term benefits of destructive procedures are disputed. Also, because of the possible complications — including muscle weakness in your jaw or sensory loss in certain areas of your face and head — it's rarely considered.
A popular common treatment for headaches is a medication with paracetamol or aspirin.
First 2 and then 1 3 times a day.
To eliminate weakness. 1 pill 2 times a day after meals.
Naproxen is a medicine that can be used to bite into the head for scalp pain.
Young age 250mg or adults 500mg 2 times a day after meals for 5/7 days.
Medicines containing ranitidine for stomach gas. 1 pill 2 times a day after meals.