Headache in a cluster: What is a headache in a cluster?
Cluster headaches are excruciating episodes of pain that are often felt on one side of the head, frequently in the forehead or around the eyes. The usual duration of these assaults is 15 to 180 minutes. Men are more likely to experience them, and attacks often start between the ages of 30 and 50. Fortunately, cluster headaches are quite uncommon, and there are therapies to minimise the discomfort of attacks and even stop recurrences.
Cluster headaches are the name given to the disorder since they happen every day at the same time for a few weeks. The assaults can be especially upsetting and incapacitating.
If you think you may have had or are now having a cluster headache, it is crucial to contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Why do cluster headaches occur?
A family history of cluster headaches, being a man, and having previously had a head injury are risk factors.
There are certain triggers, but it’s unclear what causes them. Triggers consist of:
- Drinking alcohol during a period of attacks
- Substances with strong scents, such as paint, fuel, perfume, aftershave, and other DIY goods (usually those containing volatile organic compounds),
- Exercising when overheated
- Smoking
Symptoms of cluster headaches
Excruciating pain, usually on one side of the head at the temples or the region behind the eyes, is a hallmark of cluster headaches. During each episode, the same side of the head is frequently experienced with acute and incapacitating agony. A person experiencing an attack may pace, rock, or even bash their head against a wall.
The following are other signs of cluster headaches:
- A watery, red eye on the side being impacted
- The afflicted side’s eyelids are drooping or swelling.
- A smaller pupil on the side of the eye that is impacted
- Sweating
- A clogged or runny nose, once again on the side being impacted
- Nausea and diarrhoea
Avoiding cluster headaches
Cluster headaches can be prevented with certain medications. Verapamil, an orally administered calcium-channel blocker, is considered the initial choice for prophylactic therapy. However, individuals with chronic cluster headaches may also find relief from alternative medications such as medical marijuana prescriptions or surgical interventions. Preventative therapy is essential to enable these individuals to maintain a normal quality of life.
Treatment for cluster headaches
Typically, over-the-counter pain relievers are ineffective for treating cluster headaches. As soon as a cluster headache episode starts, you should start using specialised therapies and drugs. These consist of:
- Sumatriptan injections, which can be given twice daily and generally take action in 15 minutes
- Sumatriptan or zolmitriptan nasal spray, if chosen, is a fast-acting option for injections.
- Oxygen therapy, which involves breathing only pure oxygen through a face mask, says that, according to studies, the brain arteries that expand during a cluster headache episode are contracted when oxygen is used to treat them.
Cannabis for medical use and cluster headaches
Limited research exists regarding the effects of medical cannabis on alleviating cluster headache discomfort. The legalisation of medicinal cannabis for medical purposes in 2018 has sparked a growing interest in its potential benefits for this kind of pain, however. In cases where initial medications have proven ineffective in significantly reducing symptoms, medical marijuana could be considered as a potential treatment option for cluster headaches.
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