Tips to Prevent Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches occur several times a day. They start suddenly, last for a limited time, and can be very painful. Attacks occur cyclically. A bout of regular attacks, known as a cluster period, can last a few days, weeks, or months. This is followed by remission periods, during which there are no headaches. Cluster headaches are not common. They are thought to affect about 1 in every 1,000 people. Six out of 10 cases involve men, and most of these are smokers. It usually starts after the age of 20 years.

Symptoms

Symptoms include intense pain that starts rapidly, usually without warning. Pain is continuous rather than throbbing. It has been described as stabbing, sharp, burning, and penetrating. It often starts around the eye, and it may then radiate to other parts of the head, including the face, neck, and shoulders. Pain may be present in a temple or a cheek. It remains on one side of the head.

There may also be:

restlessness
redness, swelling, watering in the eye on the side of the pain
stuffy, blocked, or runny nose on the pain side
pale skin
facial sweating
small pupil size
drooping of the eyelid on the pain side
The pain can waken a person during the night, and it may occur at the same time each night.

The individual may pace around during the episodes of pain, unable to stay still for long. If they do sit down, many may rock back and forth in an attempt to sooth the discomfort. Each cluster can last from 15 minutes up to several hours, but not usually more than an hour. One to three clusters may occur each day. After an attack, the pain will be gone, but the person may feel very tired.

Tips to Prevent Cluster Headaches

You may be able to prevent cluster headaches by avoiding the following:

alcohol
tobacco
cocaine
high altitudes
strenuous activities
hot weather
hot baths
foods that contain large amounts of nitrates, such as:
bacon
hot dogs
preserved meats

Cluster headaches are not life-threatening, but there is no cure for them. With these tips and treatments, your headaches may become less frequent and less painful over time, or they may eventually disappear completely.

Treatment for Cluster Headaches

Treatment involves relieving and preventing your headache symptoms using medication. In rare cases, when pain relief and preventive treatment do not work, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Pain Medication
Pain medication relieves your headache pain once it has begun. Treatments include:

Oxygen: Breathing 100-percent pure oxygen when the headache begins can help relieve symptoms.
Triptan medications: A nasal spray medication called sumatriptan (Imitrex), or other tripitan medications constrict blood vessels, which can help ease your headache.
DHE: An injected medication called dihydroergotamine (DHE), can often relieve cluster headache pain within five minutes of use. Note: DHE can’t be taken with sumatriptan.
Capsaicin cream: Topical capsaicin cream can be applied to the painful area.

Preventive Medication
Preventive medications stop headaches before they start. These medications may not be 100-percent effective, but they can reduce the frequency of your headaches. These medications include:

blood pressure medications, such as propranolol or verapamil which relax your blood vessels
steroid medications, such as prednisone, which reduce nerve inflammation
a medication called ergotamine that keeps your blood vessels from dilating
antidepressant medications
anti-seizure medications, such as topiramate and valproic acid
lithium carbonate
muscle relaxants, such as baclofen