Cluster Headaches Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Cluster headaches are excruciating headaches on one side of the head and are often felt up to the eye. This type of primary headache is rare.
When a cluster headache attack comes, the pain is usually constant, intense, and not throbbing. The pain is generally felt deep in the head or around the eyes and may move to the forehead or temples.
Everyone can experience these headaches, but they are more common in men in their 30s or 40s.
Cluster headaches can be divided into two types, namely:
- Episodic cluster headache. Occurs 1–2 times within 7 days to 1 year.
- Chronic cluster headache. For this type, headaches occur more frequently than the episodic type of cluster headache.
Cluster Headaches Symptom
Cluster headache symptoms occur quickly and without warning. Headaches are very severe and are often described as sharp, burning or stabbing pain on one side of the head. Pain is also felt up to the eye area, the corner of the forehead ( temples ) and sometimes up to the face. Usually, the spread of pain occurs on the same side as the headache.
Sufferers also usually feel tired and can go to extremes because of the attacks of headaches and intense pain. Sufferers can even hit their head against the wall.
Pain generally lasts from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Headaches can attack sufferers only 1-8 times a day. Pain can last from several weeks to 3 months. Then there will be a period of remission (without symptoms) for several months or years before the headaches reappear.
Other accompanying symptoms that can arise include:
- Red and watery eyes
- One of the eyelids was swollen and drooping
- One eye pupil constricted
- Sweaty face
- Stuffy or runny nose
Cluster Headaches Reason
The exact cause of cluster headaches is still unknown. However, there are allegations that cluster headaches are caused by things related to activity in one part of the brain, namely the hypothalamus.
Some other causes that can increase the risk of cluster headaches include:
- Smoke
- Consuming alcohol
- Hot weather or extreme air temperatures
- stress
- Strong smells –like perfume, paint or gasoline
- Family history (likely inherited)
Diagnosis
The doctor will determine the diagnosis of cluster headaches based on medical history and symptoms complained of by the sufferer. Several factors that can help the doctor in the examination are:
- Headache location
- Symptoms that arise
- Headache frequency and duration
Investigations such as brain scans are sometimes needed to rule out other possible causes. In cluster headaches, normal brain scan results will be seen.
Cluster Headaches Treatment
Cluster headaches are not a fatal disease. However, these intense headaches can affect your daily activities and reduce your quality of life. Painkillers such as paracetamol are not effective for this disease because they work slowly.
Drugs that can be used for cluster headaches are:
- Sumatriptan injection
- Nasal sprays contain sumatriptan or zolmitriptan
- Oxygen therapy
The three therapies above are effective in reducing cluster headaches within 15-30 minutes.
There are other therapies that can also reduce the pain and number of attacks from cluster headaches. Examples include transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (TVNS) and stimulation device implantation.
Prevention
Preventing cluster headaches can be done by avoiding their triggers. You can stay away from alcohol, cigarettes, and strong smells like perfume, paint and gasoline. There are also drugs from doctors that can prevent cluster headaches, namely verapamil. However, the use of this drug must be under the supervision of a doctor, because it can cause heart problems in certain people.
Other treatments that can be done aiming to prevent include corticosteroids, lithium and blocking nerves in the back of the brain (occipital).