What are Cluster Migraine Headaches?

What are Cluster Migraine Headaches

What are Cluster  Migraine Headaches?

Cluster Migraine headaches are a neurological syndrome that is defined by an altered perception of the body accompanied by nausea and headaches.

Sometimes these headaches happen only on one side of the head and they are frequently preceded by a visual disturbance.

A cluster headache is one of the most painful types of migraine headaches.  These headaches usually occur in a cyclical pattern or cluster, which gives them their name.

In contrast to people who suffer from migraine headaches, about five to eight times as many men as women have the cluster headache.

There are two different types of cluster headaches: The episodic headache is the more common type,  in which people will suffer from two or three different headaches  a day for about two months and then won’t experienced anything for about a year.  A chronic cluster headache produces ongoing pain without any relief periods.

A cluster headache will strike quickly and usually without warning.  Typically the patient will suffer from excruciating pain located in or around the eye. This pain can be very sharp and it will fell as though there is a sharp object in the eye of the patient. Individuals may also have other migraine like symptoms including nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

Some doctors believe that cluster headaches and ordinary migraine headaches may have a common origin.  They believe that the nerves carrying sensation from the head to the brain become irritated.  Others researchers believe that the pain comes from a deep vascular channel in the head and does not involve the trigeminal nerves.

If you start to experience cluster headaches you should see your doctor to rule out other medical issues and to find the most effective treatment.  A cluster migraine headache will produce a sudden and severe headache unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

Doctors will typically treat this illness with  anti-inflammatory medications or breathing 100% oxygen to relieve the pain, especially for those that occur at night. Pain killers do not usually work for a cluster headache because they take too long to work.

To prevent these types of headaches, some patients have found relief by using antihistamines, lithium, calcium channel blockers, propranolol, amitriptyline, verapamil and indomethacin.

With the proper medical treatments, patients are able to control cluster headaches and lead normal productive lives.

As always you should consult with your doctor before taking any medication and beginning any medical treatment.

If you would like more information about migraine headaches visit our previous post.