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 even 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 prevent them. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Keep a diary about your headaches. Write down when your headache happens. Write down what you were doing before it happened and how long it lasts. 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.
- Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). Quit smoking. Alcohol and smoking may make your headache worse.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Find ways to cope with stress. Try a massage, breathing exercises, or go for a walk. Take a hot bath or listen to music.
- Do not skip meals.
- Avoid direct sunlight if it brings on a headache.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Help stop the headaches before they start
Will physical activity be limited?
Cluster headaches can be very painful. They may stop you from doing your usual activities while you have the headache. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Stroke
- Nerve injury
- Paralysis
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
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if there is a change in my headaches.
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚