The International Headache Society defines a cluster headache as continuous pain that lasts 15 to 180 minutes. The pain associated with it is usually described as stabbing or piercing and generally isolated to one side of the head or around one eye. Cluster headaches often strike quickly and without warning.
Left untreated, a person may experience multiple cluster headaches that result in relentless pain. The good news is that cluster headaches are rare, occurring in only about .1% of the adult population. They can also be relieved or even avoided with proper treatment. Gaining control over the pain is possible by narrowing down potential triggers and avoiding them when possible.
Causes
Many experts believe the hypothalamus, a gland in the human brain involved in regulating sleep and circadian rhythm, may be related to cluster headaches due to their recurrent nature. Alcohol, histamine, and nitroglycerin have been identified as possible triggers.
Symptoms
In addition to pain on one side of the head, a cluster headache is often accompanied by nasal discharge, crying, and facial swelling. Some suffers become agitated or restless. They can occur on a daily basis in intervals for weeks or even months. Due to the possible connection with the hypothalamus, lack of sleep can also be a symptom. However, sleeplessness is not uncommon with most headaches.
Treatments
The combination of medication and awareness of personal triggers offers the best line of defense against the debilitating pain of cluster headaches. Acute treatments can provide immediate relief at the onset of a cluster headache. They include medicines such as triptans, lidocaine, and octreotide. Triptans are the most commonly prescribed treatment. They are either administered subcutaneously or intranasally. Lidocaine administered via nasal drops is sometimes used in tandem with triptans. As triptans are not a good option for patients with heart disease, octreotide is prescribed as an alternative.
Preventive treatments allow people to potentially avoid cluster headaches by taking a daily medication. Verapamil, topiramate, and lithium are the three most common options. Verapamil is prescribed most often due to its lack of interaction with other drugs.
