Cluster headaches are painful chronic headache attacks. They come on quickly and may last for up to two hours at a time. According to Medline Plus, attacks may occur as frequently as every day, or they may occur frequently over a short period of time with a break before the next onset. Effectively treating cluster headaches often requires multiple approaches.
Considerations
One of the challenges of treating cluster headaches is the onset, which tends to be sudden. Medline Plus reports that cluster headaches commonly begin a few hours after a person falls asleep. The Mayo Clinic adds that because they usually last for a short amount of time--sometimes less than 30 minutes--pain relieving drugs often are of limited use. Cluster headaches cannot be cured, but they can be prevented.
Prevention Through Lifestyle Changes
Because treating cluster headache symptoms once an attack has begun is so challenging, prevention is a staple of treatment. One form of prevention is to avoid certain substances that may bring on cluster headaches. Many of these triggers can be avoided with extra care. MayoClinic.com states that people who suffer from cluster headaches should avoid alcohol and cigarette smoke as well as foods high in nitrates. Additional lifestyle changes, such as getting adequate sleep and avoiding stress can also help prevent or reduce the severity of cluster headache attacks. Medline Plus suggests keeping a food and sleep diary to pinpoint triggers.
Prevention With Medications
Many people who suffer from chronic cluster headaches take preventative medications. These prophylactic treatments can either decrease the incidence or the severity of cluster headache attacks. Most of these medications were not initially designed for pain control, although they have this effect for certain types of chronic pain, including cluster headaches. Prophylactic treatments for cluster headaches include anticonvulsants, lithium, heart medications such as calcium channel blockers, antidepressants and corticosteroids.
Benefits of Alternative Remedies
Some people turn to alternative treatments to manage cluster headaches when other methods fail or simply to avoid putting drugs into their bodies. These alternative treatments include acupuncture and homeopathic medicine. Some people use dietary supplements, such as melatonin, as preventatives for cluster headaches, . However, MayoClinic.com warns that little evidence supports the effectiveness of these treatments against cluster headaches. This doesn't necessarily mean alternative remedies will not work; however, it is advisable to talk to a doctor about your options before using them.
Types of Quick-Acting Treatments
Although cluster headaches usually are short-lived, they still can be treated once an attack begins. Some people take triptans, which MayoClinic.com reports are commonly used to treat migraines. Injected hormones may also help. Medline Plus reports that another injection called DHE can stop a cluster headache within several minutes of onset, however, it may interact negatively with other cluster headache medications. Many people turn to oxygen for cluster headache treatments. Not just any oxygen will do. MayoClinic.com reports that for maximum effect, this approach requires a relatively high blast of pure oxygen over a short period of time. Used correctly, it can be effective.
