Cluster headaches cause excruciating pain around the eye or temple on one side of the head. Other symptoms include a drooping eyelid on the affected side, tearing and nasal congestion. The episodes occur at roughly the same time of day for weeks at a time, followed by months of remission in which the headaches totally subside. Although there is no cure for cluster headaches, medical treatments combined with lifestyle changes can provide relief.
Melatonin
The predictable onset of cluster headaches at roughly the same time of day suggests some malfunction with the body's time-keeping apparatus. The naturally occurring hormone and dietary supplement melatonin seemed like a reasonable candidate for controlling cluster headaches because it is produced by the pineal gland in the brain and regulates the body's sleep rhythms. In addition, the Mayo Clinic says that people suffering from cluster headaches tend to have lower levels of melatonin. However, the Mayo Clinic also says that unfortunately, dietary supplements of melatonin have not been shown to relieve the condition.
Alternative Medicine
Several alternative medicine regimens or home remedies are touted to relieve the pain of cluster headaches. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, alternative therapies like acupuncture or acupressure, chiropractic manipulation and homeopathic treatments relieve cluster headaches in fewer than 10 percent of patients.
Avoid Alcohol
Although avoiding alcohol during a cluster period will not prevent headaches altogether, drinking alcohol will almost invariably trigger another headache. The Mayo Clinic says that the effect is almost immediate, even before finishing one alcoholic drink. During a remission period, alcohol does not have this effect.
Other Triggers
To minimize the risk of bringing on a cluster headache, during a cluster period sufferers should avoid high altitudes, due to low oxygen pressure that can trigger an episode; volatile substances, like gasoline or solvents; and nitrates, found in processed or smoked meats and in certain medications. Tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, can also bring on a cluster headache and should be avoided during a cluster period.
Sleep Habits
The relationship with low melatonin levels, the predictable daily pattern of headaches, and the high incidence of headache onset during sleep all suggest that cluster headaches are intimately tied to the body's natural daily rhythms. The Mayo Clinic suggests a change in sleep patterns can precipitate a cluster period, and recommend that patients try to maintain their normal sleep habits during a cluster headache episode to minimize symptoms.
