Do you have recurring headaches that then go away?
What is cluster headache?
Cluster headache is an uncommon type of headache characterized by recurrent, short-lived but very painful attacks that affect one side of the head. They usually last 15 minutes and may last for hours in some cases, and are repeated several times throughout the day. The attacks last for weeks or months, so this period is known as cluster, followed by months of remission and rest.
Types of cluster headaches
The types of cluster headaches are divided into two basic types according to the nature of the attacks and the period of remission:
- Episodic cluster headache:
It is the most common type, as the period of recurrence of seizures extends from one and a half to 3 months, then comes a period of remission, which lasts for months or years without seizures occurring.
- Chronic cluster headache:
As for the chronic type, the attacks last for more than a year without interspersed with periods of remission or for a very short period that does not exceed a few months. This is less common, as head pain continues throughout the year without interruption.
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Causes of cluster headaches
The basic causes of cluster headaches are still under study and research, but there are several factors that may cause headaches, the most important of which are:
- Genetic factors: There is a family history of headaches.
- Changes in brain chemistry, such as a decrease or increase in levels of certain neurotransmitters.
- Disturbances in the body’s biological clock, which is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain.
- Triggering factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and severe sleep changes or disturbances.
Who suffers from cluster headaches?
Men may suffer from this type of headache more than women, especially among smokers and alcohol drinkers, because alcohol is a strong trigger for headache attacks during the cluster period. Also, those who have severe sleep disturbances are more susceptible to these headaches.
Symptoms of cluster headache
In addition to the headache and the nature of the seizures, there are many symptoms that attack the patient and cause him severe discomfort, the most important of which are:
- Severe, sharp pain, described as stabbing or burning pain on one side of the head.
- The headache attack lasts at least 15 minutes and may last for hours.
- Stuffy and runny nose, similar to the symptoms of the common cold.
- Excessive movement due to discomfort and pain.
- Severe eye redness accompanied by tears.
- Excessive sweating on the face and forehead.
- Severe swelling and drooping of the eyelids.
How are cluster headaches diagnosed?
Cluster headaches are usually diagnosed by a specialist doctor who conducts a clinical examination and asks about the symptoms, taking a complete medical history of the patient to evaluate the attacks and their severity. Finally, the doctor orders some medical tests such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography to rule out tumors or aneurysms in the brain.
Al Mousa Specialist Hospital has an integrated unit to perform all the necessary tests on the brain to determine the cause and type of headache, in order to determine the appropriate treatment method at the hands of a group of the best and most skilled neurologists in the Kingdom and the Arab world.
How can cluster headaches be prevented?
Prevention of cluster headaches depends on avoiding many harmful triggers in addition to improving lifestyle through:
- Completely avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Stay away from strong smells that trigger headaches.
- Regulating daily sleep hours and avoiding long stays and intermittent sleep.
- Urgently go to the doctor and follow up if any symptoms of cluster attacks appear.
- Learn about relaxation and stress management techniques such as meditation exercises and physical therapy to treat neck pain.
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When should you visit a neurologist?
It is important that if you develop symptoms of a cluster period, you should visit a neurologist immediately, especially if you have been exposed to these conditions:
- Severe and recurring headaches that affect your daily life.
- Ineffectiveness of painkillers in treating headache attacks.
- Feeling numb, with muscle weakness, and difficulty speaking.
- If the headache intensifies after a severe head injury or shock, this is an indication of internal bleeding.
- When headaches affect you, you suffer from depression and anxiety, and become unable to carry out your daily activities.
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How to treat cluster headaches?
The method of treating cluster headaches includes rapid treatment of the attacks, in addition to preventive treatment that helps reduce these attacks later. Both of these are done under full medical supervision after diagnosing the disease and knowing the cause of the headaches. It is indispensable to consult a specialist doctor before starting to treat the attacks.
First: Treating headache attacks
Treating rapid headache attacks depends first on exposing the patient to inhaling high-concentration oxygen for 15 continuous minutes to effectively relieve the headache attack, then starting drug treatment. Among the most prominent medications that doctors use in treatment are triptans such as Sumatriptan, which constricts blood vessels to quickly relieve headache pain.
Second: Preventive treatment
Doctors adopt preventive treatment options to reduce the frequency of attacks and reduce their severity in the future, which includes a group of medications such as:
- Calcium channel blockers such as Verapamil.
- Epilepsy medications such as topiramate to prevent severe headache attacks.
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are recommended for use for a short period at the beginning of the preventive treatment period.
Cluster headache attacks may be very painful and annoying, but with effective medical treatment and specialized medical care at Al-Mousa Hospital in Al-Ahsa, the matter becomes simple and the attacks can be controlled and the pain managed successfully. The attention and medical service provided to patients in the hospital makes the treatment journey easy.. Your comfort is our goal.
Frequently asked questions
We receive many questions about cluster headaches and their seriousness, so we answered them in detail below:
What is the difference between cluster headaches and migraines?
The difference between a cluster headache and a migraine or migraine is that the pain in a cluster is stabbing and sharp, while in a migraine it is pulsating, and there are no recurring attacks of migraine and it does not recur several times a day like a cluster, with a difference in the accompanying symptoms.
How do I know that the headache is due to the neck?
You can tell if a headache is due to the neck when the pain starts from the neck and moves to the head, or when it increases with movement of the neck, or is accompanied by pain in the shoulders and upper back along with neck stiffness and stiffness.
When is a headache a danger indicator?
A headache is a danger indicator when it occurs suddenly, such as a blow to the head. It may be a sign of a cerebral hemorrhage, also with numbness on one side of the body, or with blurred vision, or with vomiting and loss of consciousness, or with fever and stiff neck.
Are cluster headaches dangerous?
No, cluster headaches are not dangerous, but their pain is severe and unbearable, so it is a source of discomfort for the patient. The attacks also negatively affect the quality of life, causing sleep disturbances, and causing excessive use of painkillers to reduce the pain.
The article was reviewed by Dr. Shaima Buhlaiqa
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