Cluster headaches cause sudden, severe pain on one side of the head, usually around the eye, reports the National Institutes of Health on its Medline Plus website. The affected eye may be red, swollen and produce excessive tears, and the nostril on that side may be runny or stuffy. Cluster headaches typically occur daily for a period of one to 12 weeks, followed by a pain-free period of six to 12 months before the headaches begin again. There is no cure for cluster headaches so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Patients often require prescription medication to stop the attacks but home remedies can also be helpful.
Diet Changes
Keeping a headache diary can help to identify foods that trigger cluster headaches, according to Medline Plus. Some patients find that headaches begin within 24 hours of eating certain foods, especially those containing nitrates such as smoked and processed meats, notes the Mayo Clinic. Alcohol, including beer and wine, can immediately trigger a cluster headache in susceptible people, so should be avoided.
Limit Exposure to Triggers
Volatile chemicals such as gasoline, oil-based paints and solvents may trigger cluster headache attacks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Substances that cause the blood vessels to swell, including tobacco, histamines and nitroglycerin, can also trigger headaches and should be avoided, according to the National Headache Foundation.
Rest and Relaxation
Cluster headaches often occur at night, sometimes waking the patient from sleep, notes the Mayo Clinic. Losing sleep, however, can trigger additional headaches, so the patient should stick to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible. Learning relaxation techniques and avoiding stress may also prevent headache attacks.
Oxygen
Inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask at seven to 10 liters per minute can relieve a severe cluster headache within 15 minutes, reports the Mayo Clinic. For some patients, however, the treatment only delays the attack rather than aborting it. Unfortunately, oxygen therapy is not convenient or practical for most individuals because it requires the patient to keep a portable cylinder of oxygen with him. In situations where it is available, however, it can be effective. Cluster headache sufferers should also avoid high altitudes because the reduced oxygen may trigger an attack.
Alternative Therapies
Alternative medicine has not been proven to be effective in treating cluster headaches, notes the Mayo Clinic. Fewer than 10 percent of patients who have tried acupressure, massage, chiropractic, acupuncture or homeopathy have found relief in these methods. Melatonin and other supplements have not been effective, either. A patient considering alternative therapies or supplements should contact her health care provider for advice.
