About this topic
Cluster headaches are a kind of very bad headache. The pain is very strong and comes on all of a sudden. It can start by the eye or side of the head and stays on one side. It lasts for 15 minutes up to 3 hours. Your eye may get watery. You may also start sweating and have a runny nose. ‚
You may feel very restless and frustrated during an attack. Some people pace, rock, or bang their head because of the severe pain. These headache attacks happen in groups or clusters. This means you may have 1 to 8 a day for a few weeks or months. Then, you may have a time where you have no headaches at all. ‚
Cluster headaches can be treated by drugs. They can also be treated and prevented by changing the way you live. Learning about what triggers the headaches can help. ‚
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What are the causes?
Doctors do not know what causes this kind of headache. A part of your brain may give off a chemical. This causes the blood vessels to get bigger. Then, there is more blood flow to the brain and pressure. Here are some things that may trigger this kind of headache. ‚
- Beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol)
- Smoking
- Illegal drugs like cocaine
- High altitude
- Working or exercising very hard
- Heat
- Foods with many nitrates like bacon and preserved meats
- Certain drugs
- Abnormal hormone levels
What can make this more likely to happen?
You are more likely to get this kind of headache if you are a man. They are more common in teens and middle-aged people. Having a family member with cluster headaches raises your risk. So does being a smoker, heavy drinker, or using illegal drugs. ‚
What are the main signs?
Headache signs: ‚
- Severe, sudden pain on one side of the head. This may be burning, sharp, throbbing, deep pain.
- Pain may be in or behind one eye and stays on one side.
- These headache attacks happen in groups or clusters. This means you may have 1 to 8 a day for a few weeks or months. This may be followed by weeks to months with no headaches at all.
- Headaches may wake you from your sleep. They tend to happen at the same time each day.
- Worst pain may last 15 minutes up to 3 hours.
Other signs: ‚
- Swelling under or around one or both eyes
- Watery eye
- Redness in one eye
- Pupil may be smaller and eyelid may droop on the painful side
- Runny or stuffy nose on one side
- Sweaty, red, flushed face
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will do an exam and take your history. The doctor will carefully check your head, nerves, and eyes. Your reflexes, movement, strength, and feeling will be checked. You may need to have tests like: ‚
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- CT or MRI scan
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
- Your doctor will treat your signs and help you learn what triggers your headaches. The doctor may want you to keep a diary about your headaches. Write down when your headache happens and how long it lasts. Include what you were doing before it happened. Write down what you ate and drank before the headache and how much sleep you got. This will help you learn what might be causing your headaches. Then, you can learn how to avoid them.
- Drugs
- Your doctor may suggest other treatment like ice packs or breathing pure oxygen
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Help stop the headaches before they start
What problems could happen?
- Stroke
- Nerve injury
- Paralysis
- Cluster headaches continue
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Take the drugs your doctor ordered.
- Keep a sleeping routine. Go to sleep and get up the same time every day.
- Avoid or limit caffeine.
- Stop smoking.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Reduce stress in your life if possible. Try things like walking, hot baths, massage, deep breathing, and listening to music.
- Avoid heavy exercising in very hot weather.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Sudden, severe headache that is the worst pain of your life
- Headaches that are not getting better, bother your sleep, happen every time you are active, happen with other signs
Where can I learn more?
National Headache Foundation ‚
http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Cluster_Headaches ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/720/viewAbstract ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/cluster-headaches/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚