Symptoms and Treatment for Cluster Headache

What is a cluster headache? 

Cluster headache is a rare type of headache that affects one side of the head and the area around the eye. Cluster Headache attacks are frequent and frequent. This is usually for 15 minutes to three hours daily or as a routine for weeks and months.

That’s why it is called cluster period. Cluster headaches tend to occur around the same time every year, such as in the spring or fall. The cluster appears suddenly and lasts for about an hour and then suddenly disappears.

Persistent headache occurs during an attack or cluster period. Whereas during the remission period the headache ends on its own and does not occur for several months or years. In cluster headache, the eyes become red with tears, the eyelids become heavy and the nose becomes blocked.

Cluster headache is more severe than migraine, sinus headache and tension headache. If the problem increases, then it can become a serious situation for you. Therefore, it is necessary to treat it in time. It also has some symptoms, if you pay attention to it, you can understand its initial condition.

How common is a cluster headache?

Cluster Headache is a rare disorder. It can affect people of any age including teenagers, adults. However, cluster headache affects men more than women. Millions of people all over the world suffer from cluster headache.

It affects 1 person in 1000 people. Cluster headache usually starts before the age of 30, which disappears completely in a few months or years, but it can recur without any signs. Contact your doctor for more information.

What are the symptoms of cluster headache?

Cluster headache affects many systems of the body. A person with cluster headache often has rapid attacks without any signs and is accompanied by migraine-like nausea and vomiting in the beginning. , Gradually these symptoms of cluster headache begin to appear:

• pain in the head, neck, or part of the eye or face
• Restlessness
• shedding more tears
• red eyes
• runny nose
• sweating on face and forehead
• skin yellowing
• swelling around the eyes
• difficulty blinking

Sometimes some people do not have any of these symptoms and suddenly the person has severe restlessness and nervousness.

Apart from this, some other symptoms also appear:

• Narrowing of the eyeball
• Being sensitive to light
• Swelling in both eyes
• Red and hot face
• Eye irritation

Cluster headache usually starts around the eyes and then spreads to other parts of the head including the neck, face, shoulders. Cluster headache can cause a person to wake up at the same time every night.

Cluster Headache

Each cluster lasts from 15 minutes to a few hours but usually does not last more than an hour. There may be one to three clusters every day.

When should I see the doctor?

If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, see a doctor. Cluster headache can have a different effect on everyone’s body. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms like severe headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiffness in the neck, dizziness, trouble speaking, numbness, etc.

What is causing cluster headers?

The exact cause of cluster headache is not clear. But many activities in the hypothalamus cause this problem. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger and thirst. Apart from this, chemicals are secreted in this part of the brain which dilates the blood vessels and there is more flow of blood to the brain.

Cluster headache attacks occur due to excessive alcohol consumption, sudden increase in body temperature and exercise in hot environment. The cyclic nature of the cluster head is linked to the biological clock in the hypothalamus.

Melatonin and cortisol levels in the brain become abnormal during a cluster headache. Not only this, but cluster headache is also caused by the sudden release of histamine and serotonin by the body in the trigeminal nerve of the face.

What problems could I have with the cluster header?

Cluster headache is not a fatal disease. It usually does not cause permanent changes in the brain. But if left untreated for a long time, the headache can become severe and the blood vessels can be damaged. Apart from this, it can also affect the hypothalamus. The functioning and life of a person suffering from cluster headache can be affected. Contact your doctor for more information.

Treatment

Do not take the information provided here as medical advice. Always consult your doctor for more details.

How is Cluster Headache Diagnosed?

To diagnose cluster headache, the doctor examines the body and also looks at the patient’s family history. Some tests are done to know this disease:

MRI – Using magnetic fields and radio waves to image the brain and blood vessels and detect abnormalities.
CT Scan – In this, a cross sectional image of the brain is taken using X-rays and the level of chemicals is checked.

In some patients, there is a distinct type of pain and attack in cluster headache. In such a situation, doctors diagnose the disease on the basis of the affected part of the patient’s head or eyes, severity and symptoms associated with it.

During a cluster attack, the doctor diagnoses the problem of Horner’s syndrome i.e. heaviness on the eyelids and shrinkage of the pupil by doing a physical examination.

How is Cluster Headache Treated?

There is no exact cure for cluster headache. However, some therapies and medicines reduce the effect of cluster headache in a person. There are several types of medication for cluster headache:

1. Sumatriptan injection is given to correct cluster headache. Simultaneously, sumatriptan is sprayed in the nose. Triptan medications such as zolmitriptan are given to reduce cluster headache.
2. Octreotide medicine is injected. It is a synthetic version of the brain hormone somatostatin that quickly reduces the pain of cluster headache.
3. An injection of dihydroergotamine is given to reduce the pain of cluster headache.
4. The calcium channel blocking agent helps protect against cluster headache. Verpa Mil can also be used with other medicines.
5. Corticosteroids such as prednisone are very effective in reducing cluster headaches.
6. Lithium carbonate helps heal severe cluster headache.
7. When cluster headache starts, breathing with 100% pure oxygen reduces the symptoms of this disease.

The disease is treated with surgery if the symptoms of cluster headache are not reduced by the medicine. After the surgery, the person gets rid of the cluster headache permanently. Doctors perform the surgery by implanting a neurotransmitter with sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation to relieve headache symptoms.

Apart from this, another option is non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation surgery. In this, a handheld controller is used to provide electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve through the skin.