A cluster headache, also known as migrainous neuralgia, is a severe one-sided headache. According to U.K. health information website Patient UK, each attack commonly lasts for between 45 and 90 minutes and may occur every couple of days or even several times in a single day. This type of headache is treated by injecting a medicine called sumatriptan. A nasal spray containing a drug called zolmitriptan also helps relieve cluster headaches. Fish oil might help to prevent cluster headaches, but evidence is lacking. Get medical advice before taking a fish oil supplement.
Properties and Uses
Fish oil is derived from fleshy fish like mackerel, tuna, salmon and herring and is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that might play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of conditions. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, notes that fish oil is sometimes used to treat a variety of ailments, including glaucoma, painful periods and Alzheimer's disease. It is also sometimes used to prevent migraine type headaches.
Effectiveness
Studies evaluating the effect of fish oil on cluster headaches, specifically, are lacking, so it is difficult to determine whether taking a fish oil supplement will benefit individuals with this type of headache. However, the results of a small clinical trial in adolescents with migraine, published in the August 2002 issue of the "Journal of Adolescent Health" show that fish oil helps to reduce headache frequency, leading the authors to conclude that fish oil might be a beneficial treatment for recurrent migraine.
Administration
You can get fish oil by eating fleshy fish, but you might find it more convenient to take it as a dietary supplement available in capsule form from most health food stores and pharmacies. Since fish oil is not a proven treatment for cluster headaches, guidance regarding a suitable dosage is lacking. Consult your doctor about taking fish oil for cluster headaches.
Safety Considerations
Fish oil may cause side effects, including heartburn, nose bleeds, bad breath and nausea, according to Medline Plus. Don't take more than 3 g unless your doctor directs you to, because it might make you more prone to bruising and bleeding. It might also weaken your immune system, so do not take fish oil if you have an immune system disorder, such as HIV/AIDS. Get medical advice before using a fish oil supplement if you have hypertension, liver disease, bipolar disorder, depression or if you have an implanted cardiac device known as a defibrillator. Fish oil might interact with other medicines, including contraceptive pills and the weight loss drug orlistat, and it may heighten the effect of anti-coagulant drugs.
