1. Not Your Average Headache
Considered one of the most severe types of headache, cluster headaches strike suddenly and without warning. The pain, described as piercing, burning, throbbing, pulsating and excruciating, develops behind or surrounding one eye. Its victims, mostly males between the ages of 20 and 45, often become restless and resort to rocking in a chair, pacing or banging their head against an object to ease their pain.
2. Headache Cluster Periods
An average cluster headache lasts anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes and sometimes up to several hours. They customarily occur at a set time each day, particularly in the early morning or late night hours, and last until the "cluster period" ends. Cluster periods extend for 4 to 8 weeks and can reoccur every 2 to 3 months. Most cluster headache sufferers contend with up to four headaches during a single cluster period. A remission period of months, even years, follows, during which time no headaches occur.
3. Coping With Your Cluster Headache
Focus your treatment on eliminating or reducing the pain once your cluster headache begins. Cluster headache pain comes on abruptly and may subside just as quickly, therefore, oral pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, will not do much good. Instead, your physician probably will prescribe a fast-acting medication administered via an inhaler or injection. Most likely, you take one medication to reduce the number of headaches during the cluster period and another to relieve the actual headache pain. The most effective abortive medications include sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), octreotide and dihydroergotamine. Preventative treatment Medications prescribed include such as Verapamil, Prednisone and Ergotamine Tartrate. Be sure to discuss the various side effects and drug interaction of any medication with your doctor.
4. Controlling Headache Frequency
Reduce the possibility of a cluster headache by taking some basic precautions, especially during cluster periods. Maintain a routine sleep schedule, especially during a cluster period. Do not take a nap once a cluster period has ensued, it may set off a headache. Stay away from alcohol, tobacco, glare and bright lights. Restrict your exposure time to solvents, oil-based products and gasoline, all of which might trigger a cluster headache. Avoid altitudes over 5,000 feet. The reduced oxygen at that level also can set off a headache. Have your dentist check your teeth for infection or inflammation that may exacerbate the cluster headaches. Some people have teeth pulled to rid themselves of these headaches.
5. Keep a Journal
A headache journal offers important clues that can help your physician establish your particular type of headache and determine potential triggers. Keep your journal for a minimum of two months. Include a description of the kind of pain, its severity, location and duration and any drugs you are taking. Indicate which medications seem to ease the pain, as well as those that don't do a thing for you. This'll help the doctor know to prescribe the next time.
