The occurrence of a cluster headache can turn a person's life into a living hell, so it is necessary to know the causes of its occurrence and methods of getting rid of it.
People who experience cluster headache, like no one else, they know what it means to suffer from pain. Some simply cannot stand it and attempt suicide during attacks. What are the causes of such unbearable pain, and how to choose effective treatment?
General concepts
Cluster headaches are so called because they occur in clusters, or series. The series consists of several attacks that can last from 15 minutes to an hour. The increase in pain in such a series of attacks can continue for weeks and months, after which remission occurs. There is also chronic cluster pain, in which remission does not occur; such patients account for 10-20%.
Portrait characteristics of the patient
Identified general signs, which are typical for patients suffering from these unbearable attacks:
- man;
- developed muscles;
- height – above average;
- outstanding facial features: massive, square jaw, cleft chin, light blue eyes;
- the skin on the face is rough, reminiscent of an orange peel;
- deep wrinkles are visible on the forehead;
- in 94% of cases, patients smoke heavily for a long time.
Thanks to such a special appearance, patients are compared to lions.
Reasons for appearance
Scientists have not yet been able to say specifically what the causes of cluster headaches are hidden behind. Possible reasons are hidden behind the disruption of biorhythms with the expansion of blood vessels in the brain. The following factors can provoke such a failure:
- excessive production of histamine and serotonin;
- dysfunction of the hypothalamus, the cause of which is a tumor, inflammatory diseases brain;
- disorders that occur in the vasomotor centers of the brain;
- strong emotional overstrain and stress;
- , the causes of which may be inflammation and injury;
- humoral disorders leading to excessive dilation of cerebral vessels.
Symptoms can be aggravated by alcohol abuse, smoking, and by consuming anything that can cause cerebral vasodilation. The reasons for exacerbation of headaches can be:
- weather change;
- significant altitude above sea level (air travel, stay in the mountains);
- excessive physical stress;
- harsh stimuli sensory system(smell, bright light);
- heat or cold;
- products rich in nitrates (processed and preserved meat products);
- medications that affect cerebral blood flow(nitroglycerin, drugs that correct high or low blood pressure).
Main symptoms
Cluster headaches have their own characteristics that distinguish them from pain of other types. Symptoms of such pain.
- The manifestation of pain occurs after adolescence.
- Unlike headaches, cluster headaches do not have any preceding symptom, or aura.
- Patients characterize the pain as severe, hellish, unbearable.
- The pain affects one half of the head, the epicenter of the pain is often the eye and the area around it.
- Clusters consist of attacks that follow each other over a period of weeks or months. The duration of the attack does not exceed an hour. The patient may experience 3-10 attacks per day.
- When the cluster ends, a “light” pain-free period begins, which can last up to three years.
- Attacks occur at the same time every day.
- Often arise that wake the patient.
- Each attack is accompanied by autonomic disorders in the form of facial redness, nasal congestion, sweating, lacrimation, and constriction of the pupil on the affected side.
- The eyelid of the affected side is swollen and drooping.
- Vision may be impaired at the time of the attack.
All these symptoms are more typical for men, which cannot be said about migraines. In women, cluster headaches occur 6 times less often. This disease has no connection with family predisposition.
Diagnostics
Before making a diagnosis of cluster headache, the doctor must rule out a large number of other possible pathology. To do this, the patient’s complaints, conditions of occurrence, causes and nature of pain, and symptoms are assessed. If the anamnesis is collected correctly and in detail, then the doctor will most likely be able to suggest a pathology. To confirm the diagnosis, studies are indicated:
- angiography;
- CT and MRI;
- X-ray of the head and spine.
Principles of treatment
Treatment of cluster pain has two directions:
- Treatment of an attack.
- Prevention of relapse.
There are a large number of online resources on the treatment of such pain; the patient forum can also provide information on ways to get rid of pain. But the forum won't give complete information and treatment. During an attack it is necessary to use next treatment to eliminate symptoms:
- Oxygen therapy. This uses 100% oxygen for short (5 min) inhalation. Patients with cluster pain should have oxygen bags at home.
- A group of drugs are triptans. These are unique drugs that allow you to quickly get rid of migraines, but since migraines and cluster pain are based on the same vascular reaction, these drugs will be effective for these two pathologies. The mechanism of action of these drugs is aimed at the dilated vessels of the brain, without affecting other organs. Representatives of triptans: Zomig, Relpax, Noramig, Imigran.
- The hormone Somatostatin is able to suppress the activity of many other hormones and mediators, including pain mediators.
- Intranasal lidocaine (nasal drops) can temporarily eliminate unbearable symptoms by blocking receptors;
- Ergotamine is able to narrow excessively dilated blood vessels.
- non-steroidal drugs may also reduce symptoms by reducing pain mediators.
- Tranquilizers and sedatives are able to normalize the psycho-emotional background.
- Intensive physical exercise will also allow you to ease the attack for some time.
- Cold on temporal region will help relieve symptoms by causing spasm of cerebral vessels.
Prevention
During remission, patients should continue treatment to prevent relapse. For this purpose the following are appointed:
- Verapamil;
- Lithium carbonate;
- Derivatives.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is also often prescribed during remission. Among the main procedures that are used in this case, acupuncture, laser therapy, and balneotherapy should be highlighted. This physical treatment promotes long-term remission.
An important role is given to psychological influence. It is useful for the patient to visit a psychotherapist and auto-training, since the causes of exacerbation are hidden behind an unfavorable psycho-emotional background.
Also, due attention should be paid to normalizing the autonomic function of the body. For this purpose, sedative medications are prescribed plant origin. You should take B vitamins and antioxidants.
If you have had a cluster headache at least once, then you should completely give up alcohol and smoking, since these factors can provoke an exacerbation. You should completely reconsider your diet. It is necessary to exclude fast carbohydrates from consumption and replace them with foods high in fiber. Coffee should be limited and tea should be drunk in small quantities.
Combining the above treatment methods with a rational work regimen, spa treatment, you can achieve stable and long-term remission.
We can talk for a long time about what a cluster headache is and how it differs from a regular one, but only those who have suffered from such a headache at least once in their lives can truly understand. Their character resembles migraine, but is even more localized, while migraine can occur in the entire hemisphere or lobe of the brain.
The word "cluster" in English language literally means "accumulation" or concentration. Imagine how much the sensation of a headache concentrated in one point intensifies.
To understand how to develop treatment for such headaches, you need to understand the nature: how a cluster headache differs from a widespread one. After all, according to recently published WHO statistics, for every thousand of the world’s population there is someone who, depending on one reason or another, suffers from the disease cluster headache. And this is enough to declare the disease widespread and try to find a universal treatment for everyone.
Symptoms of the disease
For the most part, migraines are hereditary and affect women more often, especially during periods of hormonal surge, menopause, or severe stress. Whereas cluster headache attacks plague both men and women equally. Moreover, it is men with an athletic or heavy build who abuse smoking or alcohol, even despite doctor-prescribed treatment, who are more likely to experience headaches. The reasons seem obvious, and yet it is extremely difficult to convince an adult of them.
Curious anatomical feature: a cleft chin, square facial contours, even eye color (light gray or blue) act as causes and aggravating factors for a disease such as cluster migraine.
It is impossible to predict when the first symptom of headache occurs and at what age. It is known for sure that it almost never occurs in children - they are more often prescribed treatment for another ailment, abdominal migraine. But here are just the main primary signs that accurately indicate that a cluster headache is beginning:
- Flashes of light in the eyes of a burning nature.
- The headache syndrome has a sharp, burning character, as if piercing right through the head. Often migraines are concentrated in the area of the brow ridge, which causes a feeling of pain in the eyes.
- In other cases, sensations may mistakenly radiate to the ear, temporal region, or jaw. In short, to begin treatment, it is necessary to correctly diagnose the lesion.
- Symptoms of vision pathologies - for example, Horner's syndrome (in which the eyelid droops), recession or nervous trembling of the eyeball.
- Possible appearance autonomic symptoms headache - increased sweating, pallor, nausea, stuffy nose (the reasons do not lie in infection or cold), etc.
Sensations in the eyes develop into visible signs: for example, as the headache increases, the eye begins to water and turn red. From such experiences and physical strength headache, a person becomes irritable and stops enjoying life. Sometimes patients undergoing treatment describe their sensations as a desire to hit their head against a wall or gouge out their eyes, and in practice there have also been cases of suicide.
Precursors of cluster pain
Typically, attacks come and go in a short-term manner. So, for example, a person can experience 10-15 minute periods several times a day, and it happens that a cluster headache subsides for six months or several years, and no one knows the reason. Since the disease is chronic, treatment is aimed at prolonging the period of headache remission.
Usually the disease does not have attacks longer than 1.5 hours, as is the case with migraine attacks. Another characteristic feature the onset of the disease is an “exact schedule”: it happens that a migraine occurs strictly at a certain time of day, after eating, at dusk or at night during sleep. Otherwise, there is no special aura of headache. Also, treatment can rarely affect the change in the side of the lesion: sometimes headaches appear not on the right, but on the left and are less intense.
Causes of the disease
Many doctors who provide treatment assume that the causes of deviations lie in a malfunction of the body’s biological clock, for example, due to a change in climate or time zone. Other triggers for headaches include:
- Excessive production of hormones - histamine, serotonin and other vasoactive components.
- Pathology in the functioning of the hypothalamus.
- Overwork and stress are also factors that cause migraines.
- Cluster nature lies in work deviations trigeminal nerve, lying in the front part of the head.
- Disruptions in neurophysical processes, humoral regulation. This can happen in women during menopause, pregnancy, or before menstruation.
- Vascular pathologies cause severe headaches and can lead to stroke.
It is precisely the latter that is the common treatment - taking pills that constrict blood vessels and relieve pain. Otherwise, the reasons should be determined by the doctor based on the results diagnostic examination headache. He also prescribes treatment.
Diagnosis and methods of dealing with cluster pain
To put the exact one, first admit differential diagnosis, according to which the causes lie in the most extensive areas: from headaches as a result of jaw or cranial injuries to temporal arteritis. To eliminate 70% of assumptions, the patient simply needs to thoroughly describe his symptoms, their schedule of appearance, and changes over time. What most of us cannot do and delays the treatment of cluster pain for a long time.
So, by contacting a neurologist and describing the picture of your complaints, you will most likely receive a referral for magnetic resonance imaging, which will confirm the presence of serious lesions in the head area. Also, a vascular angiogram allows you to exclude or confirm diseases vascular system. To eliminate the possibility of pain as a result cervical osteochondrosis, you may be asked to take an x-ray cervical region spine.
Treatment of cluster migraine includes taking pills, sometimes in combination with oxygen inhalations: special mask devices through which the patient inhales an oxygen composition during a headache. The following medications are also used:
- Triptans – for example, Zolmitriptan.
- Nasal drops and spray containing dihydroergotamine.
- Ice compresses.
- Strong painkillers like Ketanov or Ledocaine tablets.
- Steroid blockers and hormones in case of prolonged and unbearable cluster pain.
- Sedatives and tranquilizers.
Acupuncture often helps with headaches - acupuncture procedures are carried out in specialized massage parlors.
Disease Prevention
In order not to bring your body to the critical threshold of cluster migraine, you should follow the simplest recommendations of your doctor. And first of all, give up bad habits - alcohol and smoking cause more frequent headache attacks and aggravate their course. Also, for the purpose of prevention, it is advised to avoid excessive physical activity, lifting weights, overwork, and even reduce the amount of work, because you can’t buy health with a salary.
Cluster headaches are a fairly rare disorder that usually affects men between the ages of twenty and forty. This disease is often considered quite mysterious; it is difficult to identify its exact causes; treatment of the disorder is also difficult due to the unpredictability of attacks, their intensity and the rapid decline in pain. It is worth knowing what are called the main risk factors for the development of cluster headaches, and how you can prevent recurrent attacks.
Cluster headache: what is it?
This phrase refers to attacks of acute, extremely intense pain, usually localized on one side of the head in the eye area, usually around it. Seizures occur without a clear cause, usually at one time of day. Painful sensations during an attack they can be so intense that they can provoke a suicide attempt; such cases have been recorded.
In women, this disease is quite rare; it usually affects men of working age. An attack of cluster headache lasts from fifteen minutes to an hour, the time of its occurrence depends on the biorhythms of a particular person. One of the main difficulties is the unpredictability of attacks, so a person simply does not have time to take pain medication, the pain comes and goes too quickly.
Scientists studying cluster headaches have identified several similarities in the majority of men suffering from this disease. At the same time, medicine cannot explain why these particular traits are present. Scientists have found that most men with pain are tall, have developed muscles, a large jaw, rough skin, and light eyes.
Men are also more prone to cluster headaches. smoking cigarettes in large quantities. Alcohol consumption does not affect the occurrence of the disease; it can only worsen the condition during a series of attacks.
At the moment, scientists find it difficult to explain these patterns; there are also no suggestions on how to avoid the development of the disease. However, if the disease is detected, modern medicine can offer several treatment methods that will help relieve the consequences of pain attacks and, if possible, avoid the next one.
The disease code according to the ICD-10 registry is G44.0. However, this information is usually required exclusively by specialists; it does not say much to the patient himself.
Important! Cluster headaches are sometimes considered a type of migraine, but these diseases have completely different natures and treatment methods.
Causes
Today, experts find it difficult to explain the causes of attacks. However, there is a connection between biological rhythms and the occurrence of pain. It is likely that in people with cluster headaches, the natural regulation of sleep-wake cycles is disrupted due to erroneous signals during brain activity painful attacks occur.
External factors influencing the occurrence of cluster headache have not been identified. It is impossible to influence the occurrence of the disease, therefore there is also no preventive measures against pathology.
There is a connection between heavy smoking and the occurrence of seizures painful sensations, however, if a person stops smoking, episodes still remain. Therefore, it is quite difficult to name smoking as one of the causes of cluster headaches, although once the disease is detected, experts recommend quitting immediately bad habit.
Symptoms
The main symptom of cluster pain is severe, extremely intense pain in the eye area, usually on one side of the head. It occurs at night and the attack lasts no more than an hour. In the future, pain during attacks can spread to the second part of the head. You should also pay attention to the following signs:
- With a series of attacks, pain occurs at the same time every day, usually at night; in women, pain is not associated with the stage of the menstrual cycle.
- During the episode, tachycardia may occur, vision may be impaired, the face may turn red, and illness of cardio-vascular system are missing.
- Do episodes most often occur in the spring? in autumn, at other times of the year they are not active.
With such symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor immediately. When diagnosing, you should make sure that these symptoms are not signs of migraine or other diseases.
What can a cluster headache cause?
During intense attacks there is no pain Negative consequences themselves, note that with age, with chronic episodes, the condition gradually improves. In the absence of preventive treatment, the intensity of pain attacks decreases over time.
However, of this disease sometimes something else arises dangerous consequence. The pain of the attacks is so severe that some people try to commit suicide to get rid of it. In addition, it usually occurs at night, after a person has gone to bed, which significantly affects the routine, provokes lack of sleep, and reduces the person’s performance as a whole.
Important! Quite often, the patient experiences only one series of episodes in his entire life, then the disease disappears without a trace without consequences.
How often can it be repeated?
In severe cases, attacks can be repeated several times a night, in general there is usually a series of several episodes, after which the disease may not manifest itself for several months, years or even decades.
The duration of a series of episodes can be from several days to several months; the patient usually experiences from one to several attacks of painful sensations per day. During this period, it is highly undesirable to drink alcoholic beverages.
Which doctor should I contact?
If you suspect cluster pain in the head, you should consult a neurologist. Usually, a diagnosis can be made after analyzing the symptoms, although it is usually advised to immediately perform an MRI, CT, and sometimes the picture is supplemented with an ECG and other studies.
It is recommended to consult a doctor after the first attack; subsequently, it is recommended to keep a headache diary, noting the time of the episode, its intensity, and other symptoms present during it. This will help with diagnostics, selection suitable treatment.
It is impossible to completely get rid of attacks and prevent their occurrence in the future, however, preventive treatment will help you begin to tolerate episodes more easily, and the pain will not be so pronounced.
For particularly severe, chronic episodes, it is recommended to undergo treatment in a clinic. The most common method is the use of an oxygen mask, which requires a gas cylinder and a mask. This technique should be used under the supervision of a specialist so that it is as effective as possible and does not provoke side effects.
Treatment at home
At home, you can relieve the consequences of an attack: after it, your ears usually become blocked, they begin to hurt, tachycardia and rhythm disturbances, and problems with sleep occur. A number of medications are used for these purposes; you should consult your doctor before using them.
To relieve pain and congestion in the ears, use ear drops for cluster headache: Otipax and its analogues with an analgesic effect, lidocaine. For short-term episodes, which are often repeated, corticosteroids are used. Prednisolone is usually used; this drug is the most effective.
For preventive treatment, calcium channel blockers are used, usually in combination with Prednisolone. Most effective drug This group is Verapamil, it rarely causes side effects, so it is used most actively.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine is not very effective for cluster headaches, but some folk remedies can help cope with the consequences of an attack in the form of tachycardia and stress.
To make episodes of painful sensations easier to bear, it is recommended to include in the diet walnuts and turmeric. They contain substances useful for headaches of various origins. It is recommended to eat several walnuts every day. pure form, turmeric should be added as a seasoning to food.
In general, with properly selected preventive treatment attacks will become easier to bear. It is important to constantly monitor your condition and keep an observation diary to track the dynamics of changes in this disease.
The disease cluster cephalgia is short, regular attacks of extremely severe unilateral headaches. Cluster headache is a rare occurrence. Out of 1000 patients, only three are diagnosed. Unlike migraines, which are more common in women, cluster headaches are 5 times more common in men. Occurs suddenly, without visible reasons at the same time every day. The frequency of attacks is from one to several times a day. Localized in the periorbital region.
Cluster headaches are divided into episodic and chronic. In the first case, attacks occur daily, within a certain time interval. The duration of the exacerbation period is on average 6-12 weeks. Less commonly, it can last up to six months or suddenly stop after 2 weeks. Afterwards there comes a state of calm.
Episodes of cluster headaches are characterized by rhythm and regularity. They usually come in autumn or spring, 2-3 times a year, at about the same time. In some cases, periods of calm last a long time - up to 2 years or more. Between episodes, symptoms of the disease are completely absent.
Chronic cluster cephalgia is characterized by persistent headaches. Attacks of pain occur systematically from day to day. There are no periods of enlightenment. This condition lasts for years. The peculiarity of the disease is that chronic cluster headaches can degenerate into episodic ones and vice versa.
Numerous studies conducted in this direction do not provide an answer as to why cluster headaches occur. The causes of the disease still remain unclear.
The most probable version is the relationship between the onset of painful periods and bursts of hypothalamic activity. " The biological clock“, as this part of the brain is often called, is responsible for changing the body’s circadian (biological) rhythms, changes in which cause attacks of cluster headaches.
Smoking is seen as possible reason cluster headache. However, this hypothesis is based only on the facts that this form of headaches is more often observed in smokers. But there is no exact answer as to how the disease is related to the addiction. In addition, if the patient completely quits smoking, no visible changes cluster headache does not occur in the pathogenesis.
It is believed that to provoke an attack pain period The following factors are capable:
- Excessive synthesis by the body of certain vasoactive substances, the hormones serotonin, histamine.
- Stress, nervous overstrain, overwork.
- Disorders of the functions of the trigeminal nerve in the facial part of the head.
- Destabilization of neurophysical processes.
- Vascular pathologies.
- Failures of humoral regulation, characteristic of women before the onset of menstruation, during pregnancy, and in premenopausal age.
Drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, can trigger an attack of cluster headaches during the painful period. However, this does not happen in the “quiet” intervals between episodes.
Symptoms of cluster cephalgia. Nature of pain
The first time a cluster headache occurs is after puberty. The disease develops only in adults aged 20-56 years. It can start at any time without any obvious reason. There are no signs warning of the onset of an attack. A cluster headache is sometimes signaled by burning flashes of light in the eyes.
The attack comes suddenly and develops rapidly. Reaches peak after 5, maximum 10 minutes. If you do not take any action, the unbearable pain does not go away within 30-60 minutes. In some patients, attacks of cluster headaches last only 15 minutes. Sometimes the pain does not subside within 3 hours.
The main symptom of the disease is very severe, excruciating pain. The nature of cluster headaches is boring, burning, dagger-like. It occurs exclusively on one side of the head and is localized in the eye area.
The pain is concentrated in the area of the superciliary arch, creating a feeling of pain in the eyeball. Can spread to the temple, forehead, cheek. Sometimes it radiates into the ear and even the jaw. In this regard, treatment for cluster headaches is prescribed only after extensive diagnostics have been carried out to identify the source of the pain syndrome.
To others characteristic symptoms Cluster cephalgia is classified as:
- Redness of the eye.
- Swelling of the tissues of the periorbital area.
- Tearing.
- Retraction of the eyeball.
- Nervous trembling (tic) of the eyes.
- Drooping eyelid (upper).
Autonomic symptoms accompanying cluster headache appear less frequently. These include:
- pale skin;
- nausea;
- increased sweating;
- nasal congestion;
- clear nasal discharge.
All listed signs appear only on the side of the localization of cluster headache. Similar phenomena do not occur on the second half of the head.
The difference between a cluster headache and a migraine is the behavior of the patient. A migraine attack makes you want to lie down, not move, close your eyes from light, close your ears from any sounds. Outbreaks of cluster pain, on the contrary, make a person rush around, walk in circles, and run out into the street. A patient in this state can neither lie nor sit, and becomes irritable, restless, and agitated.
The attack can be relieved, their frequency can be reduced and the intensity of pain can be reduced. But, unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure cluster headaches.
Features of treatment
The main direction in the treatment of cluster cephalgia is timely analgesic therapy. To relieve an attack and reduce the severity of symptoms, the following medications are used:
- Ergotamines (cafergot, ergotamine tartrate with caffeine). The intensity of pain decreases due to increased arterial tone.
- Ledocaine (nasal drops). Relieves acute cluster headaches.
- Triptane preparations (Zommig, Imitrex). They are used in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, and injections.
An effective method of pain relief for cluster headaches is oxygen therapy. The attack is relieved with high concentration oxygen inhalations. Cluster headache subsides 10-20 minutes after the procedure. Relief is noted by 70% of patients who regularly use oxygen therapy.
In addition to potent painkillers, folk remedies such as spices and herbs are used in the treatment of cluster pain. For example, cayenne pepper, which contains capsaicin, partially blocks pain signals to the brain.
Cayenne pepper is useful to include in the diet as a spice. To relieve a cluster pain attack, it is recommended to add it to the cream, Vaseline, and then rub the mixture into the temple.
Turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, is used in the treatment of cluster headaches. To reduce pain during an attack, add a pinch of this spice to warm milk. Drink a glass of “medicine” little by little. As a preventive measure, it is useful to add turmeric to your daily menu.
Walnuts are a natural antioxidant. They contain terpenoids that stimulate blood circulation in the brain and help reduce the severity of throbbing headaches. To achieve the desired effect, it is recommended to eat walnuts every other day, 2-3 pieces.
Prevention
To prolong the periods of calm between episodes of cluster headaches and reduce the severity and frequency of attacks, it is necessary, if possible, to eliminate provoking factors from life. It is recommended to give up alcohol, smoking, and avoid stressful situations, spend more time on rest and sleep.
It is advisable to review your diet. Some foods, for example, long-cooked meat or aged hard cheeses, provoke rhythmic attacks of headaches. They must be excluded from the diet or included in the menu in minimal quantities.
Cluster headaches can be triggered by an afternoon nap, taking a hot bath, or active sports. These factors, accordingly, also need to be removed from life, especially during periods of pain.
Must take preventive medications, reducing periods of exacerbation of the disease:
- Calcium channel blockers (Verelan).
- Drugs that affect the functioning of the hypothalamus (Eskalite, lithium carbonate, Litobid).
- Antiepileptic drugs (Decapote, Depakone, Depakene, Tomipax).
- Corticosteroids (Prednisone), which block pain until preventive medications take effect.
Therapy is carried out only under the guidance of a doctor. Any medications taken as directed.
The feeling of pain in the head is familiar to every person. More often it is aching, pressing, covers the entire head or spreads to its individual parts. An ordinary headache is rarely very severe, and many people get used to it. However, there is a special type of this condition - cluster or cluster headache, which is the most painful and causes enormous suffering. Painful sensations occur in paroxysms and are concentrated in one point, usually in the orbital area. During the interictal period there are usually no manifestations.
Approximately 1% of the world's population suffers from cluster headaches, with the vast majority being members of the stronger sex. Attacks of cluster headaches not only worsen the quality of life of patients, but also significantly limit their ability to work. The age of onset of the disease ranges from 25 to 55 years. Among the reasons are changes in the usual daily routine (shift work, frequent air travel with changes in time zones), drinking alcohol, and smoking.
Symptoms of cluster headaches
Temporal characteristics. Attacks of cluster headaches are regular, usually begin at the same time of day, and are most intense at night (“wake-up pain”). They occur with a frequency of 2-3 times a day to once a week. The duration of one attack can range from 15 to 90 minutes. The period of exacerbation lasts from 2 to 10 weeks, then remission occurs for up to 2-3 years.
Pain. It occurs suddenly - unlike tension headaches (odna_stat.php?id=787), it takes a person by surprise, and there are no warning signs of an approaching attack. By nature - extremely strong, burning, piercing, reaching a maximum within a minute.
Localization of pain. It always appears on one side of the head, most often behind eyeball or around the eye. It can radiate to the ear, forehead, cheek, and temporal region.
Associated symptoms:
- redness of the face and the eye itself;
- unilateral vegetative manifestations: nasal congestion, lacrimation, sweating of the skin on the face and neck;
- heartbeat;
- swelling of the eyelid;
- intolerance to bright light and loud sounds.
Mental manifestations. With a cluster headache, a person may experience agitation, irritability, and sometimes inappropriate behavior on his part. Some experience suicidal thoughts and attempts (rarely).
A cluster headache is so strong and unexpected that a person, in complete health, begins to rush around the room, clutches his head with his hands, screams, moans, cries, and tries to find a position that would alleviate the condition. This causes horror and fear in those who witnessed the attack.
Treatment of cluster headaches
If you experience a severe headache, you should definitely consult a neurologist. Usually it is enough to make a diagnosis detailed story patient about the nature and frequency of attacks. A neurological examination in the presence of cluster headache will not reveal any abnormalities. The doctor will definitely prescribe an MRI to rule it out. organic diseases brain.
Measures to stop an attack:
1. Try to calm down and relax.
2. If possible, breathe through a mask of 100% oxygen for 5-10 minutes. At home, just open a window or go outside Fresh air. Take deep and measured breaths and exhalations.
3. Apply something cold to your temples.
4. Medicines:
- painkillers (analgin);
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ibuprofen);
- sedatives and hypnotics (valerian, diphenhydramine, sonnate);
- vitamins (B1, B12, magnesium B6).
Effective intramuscular injections mixtures: analgin, diphenhydramine, vitamin B12.
IN last years drugs based on triptans are used, which give a quick effect: nasal spray with sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine.
Prophylactic treatment is prescribed to prevent possible attacks and reduce their frequency:
- verapamil;
- prednisolone;
- topirol;
- lithium preparations;
- depakine;
- zolmitriptan.
The type of drug, dose and duration of administration are determined by the doctor in each specific case, since they have many side effects and the risk-benefit ratio must be considered. Sometimes over time it is possible to reduce the dosage to a minimum. Some are forced to take medications constantly.
Non-drug methods:
- acupuncture;
- laser therapy on the points of greatest pain;
- darsonvalization of the scalp;
- psychotherapy;
- elimination of provoking factors;
- walks in the open air.
Treatment with folk remedies at home
- Lemon. Cut off the lemon zest (without the white part), put it in just boiled water for a minute. Apply to temples.
- Ginger. Pour a tablespoon of grated root into a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 10 minutes. Drink as tea in the morning on an empty stomach. The course of treatment is 3 weeks, then a break is 1 month.
- Therapeutic baths with lavender or lemon oil. Add 7-10 drops to water and take a bath for 15 minutes.
- Apple vinegar. Dilute 1 tablespoon in 500 ml cold water. Wet gauze and apply to forehead
