Cluster headaches
Overview
Cluster headaches are severe attacks of pain that can last for long periods. They're not caused by another illness. They can have a real impact on your life, but there are treatments that can help.
Symptoms
Cluster headaches are severe headaches that can happen multiple times a day and continue for weeks or months. They may stop for a while (weeks, months or years), or there may be no gap between headaches. The main symptoms of a cluster headache include: a sharp, burning or piercing pain, usually on 1 side of the head, around the eyeheadaches that happen at the same time of year or at set times of the dayheadaches that start and stop quickly, without warningpain that can make you feel restless, you may want to walk around or move your bodyheadaches that last between 15 minutes and 3 hours You may also get other symptoms, such as: a red and watering eye on the same side as the painfeeling sickdrooping and swelling in the eyelid on the same side as the paina smaller pupil in the eye on the same side as the painface sweatinga blocked or runny nose
Causes
It’s not known what causes cluster headaches. They’re more common in men in their 30s and 40s, or if you have a close family member who gets them. Some people find certain triggers can cause cluster headaches, such as: smokingdrinking alcoholperfumethe smell of paint, nail varnish or petrolexercise Keeping a headache diary may help you to understand your triggers.
Treatment
There’s no cure for cluster headaches, but a specialist may recommend treatments to help ease and prevent symptoms. Painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, do not work. If a cluster headache has already started, the main treatments include: medicines called triptans, given as an injection or a nasal sprayoxygen, which is breathed through a maskusing a device to give mild electrical pulses to the back of the neck Rarely, when other treatments have not worked, you may be offered surgery. This involves implanting a small device to help treat your headaches. Your GP may prescribe medicines that can help to prevent a cluster headache before it starts. These can include corticosteroids,verapamilorlithium. Ask a GP for advice about common triggers. Understanding this may help you to avoid a cluster headache
Prevention
Your GP may prescribe medicines that can help to prevent a cluster headache before it starts. These can include corticosteroids,verapamilorlithium. Ask a GP for advice about common triggers. Understanding this may help you to avoid a cluster headache