Cephalgia.net

Treatment of the disease is a difficult task and is divided into the treatment of a pain cluster attack and preventive treatment that prevents the development of a cluster period.

Treatment of a cluster headache attack

Oxygen treatment

The simplest and most effective and safe treatment for cluster cephalgia attack is inhalation of 100% oxygen at a rate of 7 l/min, administered through a mask in the patient's sitting position for 10-15 minutes. In 75%, this simple procedure terminates an attack of cluster cephalgia in 3-5 minutes. Unfortunately, sometimes the headache is only "delayed" and returns after a few hours. In some patients, the paroxysm of pain is only partially relieved and may continue in a less pronounced form than without treatment.

Despite these shortcomings, breathing oxygen is the best treatment for any patient with cluster cephalgia when preventive therapy fails and attacks persist. There are practically no contraindications to oxygen treatment (except for severe respiratory depression). For those patients who are helped by oxygen, it is recommended to have a portable inhaler and use it if necessary.

Ergotamine drugs

If it is not possible to use oxygen or this method is ineffective, ergotamine preparations should be used. These drugs have a faster effect when administered by injection, inhalation or rectally. Sublingual use is approximately equal to the absorption rate of the drug in the stomach.

It is best to use ergotamine tartrate in aerosols (the patient inhales the drug deeply and for a long time - no more than 6 times a day); rectal suppositories (1 and 2 mg of ergotamine tartrate); or intramuscularly - 1 ml of dihydroergotamine is injected.

When choosing a drug, one should take into account the tendency of paroxysms of cluster cephalgia to recur and the need to strictly limit the daily and weekly dose of ergotamine:

• the average therapeutic dose of ergotamine is 1 mg per day,
• the maximum daily dose is 4 mg (2 mg every 12 hours);
• weekly dose should not exceed 5-7 mg.

If, despite taking ergotamine, an episode of cluster cephalgia recurs repeatedly during the day, it is necessary to resort to an alternative method of treatment to avoid ergotism.

If the patient wakes up at night during an attack, then the use of ergotamine is meaningless, since the cluster attack is already in full swing, and the pain attack cannot be relieved by vasoconstrictor drugs. In these cases, oxygen inhalation is the most effective remedy.

Alternative Treatments

An alternative treatment for attacks of cluster cephalgia is the serotonin receptor agonist (5-HT1 type) sumatriptan (imigran), which quickly terminates the attack of pain by giving a dose of 6 mg intramuscularly or intravenously.

Significantly reduce the strength and extent of the pain attack can be 1 ml of 4% solution of lidocaine hydrochloride, administered intranasally.

Analgesics, even narcotics, antidepressants, finlepsin were ineffective in the treatment of attacks of cluster cephalalgia.

Preventive treatment of cluster cephalgia

Preventive treatment is indicated for patients with chronic cluster cephalgia, as well as for patients with episodic headache with long cluster periods resistant to abortive drug therapy.

The main principle of preventive therapy is to carry it out for the entire expected cluster period and cancel it upon reaching a two-week light pain-free interval. In the prevention of the disease, an important role is given to the normal sleep-wake cycle, the violation of which can prematurely end the period of remission. In addition, smoking and alcohol intake are absolutely contraindicated for patients, and vasodilators should be avoided.

calcium antagonists

Calcium antagonists are the drugs of choice for the prophylactic treatment of cluster cephalgia. The mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers is not clear, it is possible that these drugs prevent the supposed spasm of the extradural part of the internal carotid artery.

The most effective drug is verapamil (Isoptin, Finoptin) at a dose of 240-320 mg regularly, which leads to remission in 87% of cases.

In the chronic form of cluster headache, it is recommended to prescribe calcium antagonists for 4-6 months under the control of blood pressure and ECG.

In the episodic form, anticalcium drugs are prescribed before the expected cluster period, during it and 2-4 weeks after the last headache attack.

Other calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, nimodipine) can be used for treatment, but they are all less effective.

Side effects of anticalcium drugs include orthostatic hypotension, stool disturbance, drowsiness, and sometimes edema. When treating with drugs of this group, regular monitoring of the ECG is required. Decreasing the dose of verapamil should be gradual over 2 weeks. If after discontinuation of the drug the headache returns, treatment should be resumed and continued.

Attacks of cluster cephalalgia that occur during treatment with verapamil are eliminated according to the usual scheme described above. In the case of chronic cluster cephalalgia, the effect of treatment with verapamil usually occurs after a few months, during which time addiction to the drug may occur, which requires a temporary transition to some alternative remedy.

Corticosteroids

Quite effective for the preventive treatment of chronic cluster headache is the appointment of corticosteroids. Presumably, corticosteroids reduce the degree of edema and aseptic inflammation around the cranial blood vessels, which allows you to limit the stimulation of the sympathetic plexuses and the effect on the trigeminal system. In addition, data on changes in cellular and humoral immunity in cluster cephalalgia confirm the effectiveness and pathogenetic focus of these drugs.

A three-day course of prednisolone is usually prescribed at a dose of 40-60 mg / day, with a gradual decrease by 10 mg every 4th day. With the gradual withdrawal of the drug, side effects are practically not observed.

lithium carbonate

The second-line drug for the treatment of cluster cephalgia is lithium carbonate. The effect of lithium treatment usually occurs after a latent period of several weeks, when the serum level reaches 0.4 - 0.8 mmol/liter. For most patients, this level is created at a dose of 600 - 1500 mg / day.

The serum lithium level should be measured every 3 to 4 weeks of treatment, if necessary, the dose of the drug is adjusted to achieve the desired therapeutic concentration.

When taking the drug, side effects (thirst, diarrhea, mood changes, tremors) are possible. To reduce their severity, it is necessary to observe a sufficient salt diet, refuse to take thiazide diuretics. Tremor is usually treated with beta-blockers.

Combination Therapy

Although monotherapy is most preferred, lithium carbonate (300 mg/day) can be combined with verapamil (80 mg/day) or ergotamine (2 mg/day) in resistant cases.

Treatment and prevention of cluster headache in patients under the age of 30 years

The drug of choice for the treatment and prevention of cluster headache in patients under the age of 30 is methysergide, a competitive inhibitor of smooth muscle serotonin receptors. The greatest effectiveness of the drug is noted in the early stages of the disease.

Metisergide is taken at a dose of 4-8 mg / day for no more than 2 months in a row under the supervision of a therapist with control of laboratory parameters and ECG. In total, 3 courses of therapy are carried out with interruptions of 1 month to prevent fibrotic complications.

Contraindications to the appointment of the drug are arterial hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis of blood vessels. In the form of side effects, cramps, insomnia, nausea can be observed. To avoid them, it is recommended to gradually increase the dose from 1 mg during the week, as well as the gradual withdrawal of the drug.

Treatment of episodic cluster cephalgia

For effective treatment of episodic cluster headache, the use of valproate, an anticonvulsant, is recommended, which reduces the frequency of attacks and can cause a period of remission in patients. The recommended dose is 1000-2000 mg / day. Possible side effects in the form of general weakness, malaise, drowsiness.

Less effective means of preventive treatment are beta-blockers, tricyclic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Psychotherapy, IRT are absolutely ineffective in the treatment of cluster cephalgia. A more effective way is sometimes to teach the patient self-regulation using biofeedback.

With many years of seizures and resistance to all types of drug therapy, surgical methods of treatment are resorted to. The operation of choice in such cases is radiofrequency trigeminal gangliolysis. The literature provides information on a large percentage of patients with chronic cluster cephalgia successfully cured by this method, resistant to conservative therapy. Complications of this operation can be sensitive, secretory disorders and pain anesthesia in the zone of innervation of the trigeminal nerve. Other authors consider surgical treatment insufficiently substantiated, the results are contradictory and do not recommend it for practical purposes.

Cluster headache is the appearance of intense and burning painful sensations that can be localized mainly in one specific part of the head. Such pains are capable to be shown by the whole series of attacks. Often they are called beam due to the appearance of a feeling of accumulation of a certain beam in one particular place.

How long do cluster headaches last?

The periods during which seizures occur can last up to several months, after which they can disappear for several years. Symptoms characteristic of cluster pain appear only at the time of attacks, after which they disappear completely. During the onset of an attack, it is very important to have time to eliminate pain, and, in addition, reduce the intensity of symptoms. If you have this kind of headache, you should consult your doctor.

Which people are most susceptible to pathology?

In the ICD system, cluster headaches can be assigned to several codes at once, which will depend on the causes that cause this pathology. In most situations, such a headache is assigned the code G44.2. This code indicates the presence of tension-type headaches. In the event that attacks in a person occur as a result of inflammation of the facial nerve, the doctor can classify the disease according to the underlying pathology and assign the appropriate code: G50-5.

According to statistics, cluster headaches are quite rare, and this occurs in approximately 5% of the population. Most of all, men are subjected to attacks of the beam nature of pain. In comparison with the female sex, the probability of their having such a pathology is 1:5. The risk group for this pathology includes men who meet the following criteria:

1. The presence of an anatomical feature, which is expressed in a cleft chin, a large physique, and, in addition, in a square-type jaw. Also, this pathology is usually found in those patients whose eyes are blue or light gray.
2. Having bad habits.
3. Age category from thirty to forty years.

Cluster headaches are very rare in childhood and are never diagnosed at birth.

Symptoms characteristic of the disease

The manifestation of symptoms of this pathology directly depends on the following forms:

1. episodic form. Within this form, during an exacerbation that can last for several months, the patient may experience a large number of intense, but short-term pain attacks. After these attacks, the attacks disappear for a long period of time, for example, for a whole year or more. The symptoms of a cluster headache are quite unpleasant.
2. Chronic form. Against the background of this form, severe symptoms disturb a person almost constantly. The intervals of enlightenment directly between attacks are very short.

What is the pathogenesis of cluster headaches? They are distinguished from other types of cephalalgia by the following features:

1. A distinctive feature of the pain is that the attacks begin with a slight burning sensation in the region of the eye sockets and temple. Following this sensation, as a rule, there is intense pain, which then rapidly increases.
2. The lightning-fast nature of development, in which only fifteen minutes pass from the moment of the usual state to the onset of unbearable head pain.
3. Prolonged nature of the pain. In most situations, one cluster attack can last for up to forty minutes, and immediately after that, unpleasant symptoms completely disappear.
4. The time of day when an attack develops. Almost always, the pain occurs at night in the area between the first and fourth hours, and its intensity is so high that a person can wake up.
5. One-sided nature of painful sensations. The uniqueness of this pathology is that the pain always covers only one side of the head.
6. Restriction of the patient's mobility. During the moments of attacks, the patient freezes, since the slightest movements cause him severe pain, in connection with this, he tries to find a position in which the intensity of the symptoms can decrease.

Cluster headaches may be accompanied by the following accompanying symptoms:

1. The appearance of visual disturbances. This is expressed in the narrowing of the pupil from the side of the pain. The pathological condition is accompanied by a deterioration in vision, and, in addition, tearing and swelling of the eyelids.
2. The development of swelling and redness of the skin in the area of ​​pain.
3. The appearance of nasal congestion and discharge due to mucosal edema.
4. Observation of excessive sweating, and at the same time also pallor, nausea, irritability, aggressiveness and nervousness.
5. Difficulty breathing and increased heart rate.

As soon as the attack of this pathological pain passes, the symptoms completely disappear, and the patient's well-being improves significantly.

Consider the causes of cluster headache.

Causes

Medicine at the moment has not yet identified the most accurate causes of pain of this kind, however, experts quite often associate its appearance with the following disorders of the body:

1. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamus. The causes that cause the excitation of this region of the brain, which is responsible for the biorhythms of the body, are still unknown to doctors, but it is already believed that it is in this state that attacks of cluster pain in the head occur.
2. The presence of inflammation or excessive sensitivity of the trigeminal nerve.
3. The appearance of hormonal failure. It should be noted that cluster pain is provoked precisely by the excessive production of hormones such as histamine and serotonin.
4. Presence of vascular disease.
5. Appropriate heredity.

The causes of cluster headache may be different:

1. The presence of bad habits in the form of smoking and drinking alcohol.
2. Off-season period. Attacks of the occurrence of this pathology can most intensively manifest themselves in the spring or autumn period.
3. Human climate change. Regular trips with flights to countries with a different time zone can lead to jet lag, and at the same time to the excitability of the hypothalamus.
4. Constant violation of the regime of day and night. For example, such pain can easily provoke a shift schedule at work.
5. Being in regular stressful situations.
6. The use of certain medications, for example, such as "Nitroglycerin".

As part of diagnosing cluster pains in the head, the doctor, as a rule, assesses the level of influence of these factors along with the susceptibility to the described pathologies, and only after that the appropriate treatment is prescribed for the patient.

How to get rid of cluster headache? - the question is not idle. More on that below.

Cluster headache cycle

A feature of this pathology is that attacks of cluster pain tend to occur with frequent regularity, at the same time of day. In this regard, they are sometimes also called headaches-alarm clocks. Most of these attacks occur between the evening and early morning, and the peak time is usually between midnight and 3 am.

The total duration of such attacks is usually short. But at the same time, cluster attacks are extremely painful. In the event that they are not treated, they will last from fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. On the background of an active cycle, patients may experience only one attack per week, but sometimes there can be as many as eight per day. Cycles of such attacks typically last up to twelve weeks. And against the background of chronic forms, seizures can last much longer. Cycles usually occur seasonally, often in spring and autumn.

Cluster headaches in children

Many parents, having heard the child's complaints of a headache against the background of good general health, fall into bewilderment. Sometimes the head may hurt due to a high temperature or a viral illness. But the sudden onset of an incomprehensible symptom for no apparent reason in an adult raises many questions, because it is not clear what this may be due to and what kind of medicine to give to a small child.

Cephalgia is extremely rare in children. It is characterized by a burning, boring pain of high intensity. Localization - temporal and orbital regions.

On average, seizures last from ten minutes to three hours.

primary headaches

1. The occurrence of chronic migraine attacks. These attacks often resemble cluster headaches. They lead to several short daily headaches with symptoms that resemble a cluster pattern. But compared to them, these attacks are much shorter and can last only a couple of minutes. In addition, they are more frequent and can occur up to fifteen times a day.
2. development of hemicrania. These are short-term, and at the same time strictly one-sided pains, they arise in the head and resemble neuralgia. They are usually found in women. Periodic attacks of such pain can last from several days to one week. Sometimes they resemble migraines.
3. Short-term unilateral neuralgic headache with conjunctiva and lacrimation. These pains are stabbing in nature, they cause burning in the eyes and can resemble a cluster type of malaise. But in this case, the attacks are short, their duration is only a minute. They can occur more than a hundred times a day. A typical symptom in this case is redness of the eyes along with tearing, forehead sweating and congestion.

First aid for cluster headache is very important.

How is the treatment carried out?

Before prescribing the treatment of this pathology, the doctor must differentiate it according to a certain set of signs and exclude the presence of other types of cephalalgia. The disease is diagnosed according to the following signs:

1. Daily occurrence of seizures at the same time.
2. Observation of five or more attacks, and, in addition, their remissions.
3. The presence of symptoms characteristic of cluster attacks.

If the above signs are detected and other diseases are excluded by undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, doctors diagnose cluster headache and prescribe symptomatic therapy, which may include the following techniques:

1. The use of oxygen inhalation at the initial stage of an attack.
2. The use of a nasal spray or drops in order to relieve swelling of the mucosa.
3. The use of medications that stop pain, eliminating the root cause of their occurrence.

Cluster headache is treated with medication.

Treatment with pills

Drugs in tablet form are prescribed both in the presence of acute attacks of cluster pain, and in inter-attack periods in order to prevent the occurrence of attacks. What are these miraculous remedies? As a rule, the following drugs help to eliminate pain and relieve concomitant symptoms:

1. The use of ergotamines, for example, Akliman, Ergomar and Gynofort. These tablets block the release of serotonin and calm the nervous system, toning the walls of blood vessels.
2. Use of triptans such as Sumatriptan, Zomiga and Imigran. These drugs block pain attacks by narrowing the cerebral vessels and eliminating the accompanying symptoms in the form of nausea and dizziness. Medicines for cluster headache should be selected by a doctor.
3. The use of painkillers, for example, Ketanov and Lidocaine.
4. The use of calcium channel blockers, for example, lithium carbonate or Verapamil.
5. Appointment of anticonvulsants in the form of Gabapentin and Topiramate. They are prescribed in the presence of a series of severe attacks, which are accompanied by an epileptic seizure.
6. The use of tranquilizers, for example, "Afobazole". This tool is used as a prophylactic drug against the background of susceptibility to stress and the occurrence of cluster attacks because of this.

What else is the treatment for cluster headache?

Therapy with folk methods

Through folk recipes, it is impossible to eliminate intense bouts of pain in the head. But it will be possible to remove their residual manifestations, reducing the likelihood of occurrence in the future. So, for the treatment of cluster headache folk remedies are suitable:

1. Use of turmeric. This spice has anti-inflammatory, and at the same time also a sedative effect. In the case of its regular use with food, the likelihood of cluster attacks will decrease.
2. The use of cayenne pepper. Thanks to the action of capsaicin, which is part of the fruits of this pepper, which irritates the nerve fibers, it is possible to reduce the intensity of headache attacks. To do this, the ointment prepared on its basis is rubbed into the region of the temporal lobes.
3. The use of lobed pueraria. In Chinese medicine, this plant is endowed with special properties. In China, it is believed that infusions made on its root help in moments of seizures. The use of the plant reduces pain, coping with dizziness, and, in addition, eliminates stuffy ears.
4. The use of ginkgo The fresh foliage of this plant helps to normalize the functioning of the hematopoietic system, thereby providing the necessary blood flow to the brain tissues.
5. The use of walnuts. These fruits have a beneficial effect on the vascular system, and, in addition, also on the structure of the blood, along with the state of the nervous system. For these purposes, it will be quite enough to use the kernels of three nuts every other day. The good news is that they are very tasty.

In any case, the reception of folk remedies must be coordinated with your doctor. Only a specialist will be able to take into account a number of possible side effects with contraindications, which are usually associated with individual intolerance.

What does cluster headache mean, now it’s clear, but how to prevent it?

Prevention of this pathology

Attacks of this pathology are easier to prevent than to stop later. For this purpose, the doctor necessarily gives the person who suffers from pain attacks the necessary recommendations that help to significantly reduce the intensity of the manifestations of such attacks of cluster headache, and, in addition, increase the time interval between them.

So, the standard preventive measures that are recommended for diagnosed this unpleasant pathology include the following:

1. Complete refusal of the patient from all addictions, especially from smoking and drinking alcohol.
2. Complete rejection of intense physical activity and heavy lifting, which cause severe overwork.
3. Normalization of the daily regimen along with the provision of proper rest, which will prevent the occurrence of a biorhythm disturbance.
4. Avoiding situations that provoke the development of stress and injure the human psyche.
5. Taking part in psychological trainings that help restore psycho-emotional balance.
6. Breathing exercises along with the development of relaxation and meditation techniques.
7. Changes in the diet. As part of this recommendation, experts advise four or five daily intake of products. It is very important to include seafood, fruits, nuts, vegetables and fiber in the menu. It is also important for people to regularly take those foods that are rich in vitamin B. Medications based on it are also suitable according to the prescription of the attending physician.
8. Regular exposure to fresh air.
9. Hiking, cycling, and, in addition, visiting the pool.
10. Periodic stay at the resort and sanatorium treatment.

Conclusion

People who are prone to such headaches need to always have medications with them that will help stop the attacks, or they need to at least know how to relieve the intensity of pain with improvised means. It is extremely important not to wait for the development of intense symptoms, but to take preventive measures in case of the appearance of primary symptoms. In addition, you should regularly go to your doctor, undergo diagnostics and follow his recommendations.

The sensation of pain in the head is familiar to every person. More often it is aching, pressing, captures the entire head or spreads to its individual parts. A common headache is rarely very severe, and many get used to it. However, there is a special kind of this condition - cluster, or cluster headache, which is the most excruciating and causes great suffering. Pain sensations arise paroxysmal and concentrate at one point, as a rule, in the region of the orbit. In the interictal period, there are usually no manifestations.

Approximately 1% of the world's population suffers from cluster headache, and the vast majority are members of the stronger sex. Attacks of cluster headache not only worsen the quality of life of patients, but also significantly limit the ability to work. The age of onset of the disease ranges from 25 to 55 years. Among the reasons, there is a change in the usual daily routine (shift work, frequent air travel with a change in time zones), drinking alcohol, smoking.

Symptoms of cluster headaches

Temporary characteristics. Attacks of cluster headache are regular, usually begin at the same time of day, the most intense at night ("pain-alarm clock"). They occur with a frequency of 2-3 times a day to once a week. The duration of one attack can be from 15 to 90 minutes. The period of exacerbation lasts from 2 to 10 weeks, then remission occurs up to 2-3 years.

Pain. It occurs abruptly - unlike tension headache (odna_stat.php?id=787), it takes a person by surprise, there are no harbingers of an approaching attack. By nature - extremely strong, burning, piercing, reaches a maximum within a minute.

Localization of pain. It always appears always on one side of the head, most often - behind the eyeball or around the eye. May radiate to the ear, forehead, cheek, temporal region.

Associated signs:

• 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 inadequate behavior is observed on his part. Some have suicidal thoughts and attempts (rare).

Cluster headache is so strong and unexpected that a person in full health begins to rush around the room, clutching his head with his hands, screaming, moaning, crying, trying 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 contact a neurologist. Usually, a detailed description of the patient about the nature and frequency of seizures is sufficient to make a diagnosis. Neurological examination in the case of cluster headache will not reveal any abnormalities. The doctor will definitely prescribe an MRI to rule out organic brain diseases.

Attack relief measures:

1. Try to calm down and relax.

2. If possible, breathe through the mask with 100% oxygen for 5-10 minutes. At home, just open a window or go outside for fresh air. Take deep and measured breaths and exhalations.

3. Apply something cold to the temples.

4. Medicines:

• painkillers (analgin);
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ibuprofen);
• sedatives and hypnotics (valerian, diphenhydramine, sonnat);
• vitamins (B1, B12, magne B6).

Intramuscular injections of the mixture are effective: analgin, diphenhydramine, vitamin B12.

In recent years, drugs based on triptans have been used, which give a quick effect: nasal spray with sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine.

Preventive 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 is determined by the doctor in each case, since they have many side effects and it is necessary to take into account the risk-benefit ratio. Sometimes over time it is possible to reduce the dosage to the minimum. Some are forced to take medication 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

1. Lemon. Cut the lemon zest (without the white part), dip for a minute in freshly boiled water. Attach to the temples.
2. Ginger. Pour a tablespoon of grated root with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 10 minutes. Consume as tea in the morning on an empty stomach. The course of treatment is 3 weeks, then a break is 1 month.
3. Therapeutic baths with lavender or lemon oil. Add 7-10 drops to water, take a bath for 15 minutes.
4. Apple vinegar. Dilute 1 tablespoon in 500 ml of cold water. Wet gauze and apply on forehead

Cluster headaches are considered one of the most severe types of headaches. This type of pain is characterized by such frequency and intensity of pain that there have even been cases of suicide during attacks.

Cluster headache is characterized by a series of attacks of high intensity. These seizures are also called clusters, hence the term originated. Headache can occur several times a day and last from a couple of minutes to an hour. Attacks can be exhausting for a long period of time - from 2-3 days to several weeks and even months, and then disappear without a trace and do not disturb for years.

Symptoms

Cluster headaches are easily recognizable and are distinguished by the following features:

• Attacks make themselves felt in the age range from 20 to 50 years;
• Pain occurs suddenly, there are no signs of an approaching attack;
• As a rule, the attack begins late at night;
• The pain is accompanied by nasal congestion, lacrimation, earache;
• Cluster headache usually has a concentrated focus, usually around the eye;
• Most often, pain attacks attack in the autumn or spring months;
• Attacks are repeated at the same time of day, the focus of pain does not change;
• Vision worsens, swelling of the eyelids and damage to the eye capillaries are noted;
• Blood rushes to the face, sweating appears;
• The heartbeat becomes faster.

Causes

Why cluster headaches occur is not exactly known. Studies show that men suffer from this type of headache 6 times more often than women. Presumably, heavy smoking and alcohol consumption contribute to the increase in cluster headache attacks, but this is no more than a theory. It is also believed that the appearance of this type of pain is due to a genetic predisposition, but this feature is not inherited.

Treatment

Treatment of cluster headaches is usually symptomatic and does not allow to get rid of them permanently. Strong painkillers cause gradual addiction, so they have to be changed periodically.
In folk medicine, there are some remedies that help relieve attacks of cluster headache.

Cayenne pepper

This spice contains the substance capsaicin, which gives the pepper a burning spiciness. Capsaicin is an irritant and is found in some pain relievers. Ointments based on this substance must be rubbed into the temples when headache attacks appear, this will help relieve pain.

Turmeric

This spice has sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is good at helping to endure cluster headaches and is not addictive, so you can use it regularly.

Kudzu

The plant is known as Pueraria lobata. In Russia, little is known about its medicinal properties, but in traditional Chinese medicine, kudzu is included in the list of 50 medicinal herbs. Helps to cope with dizziness, headaches, ear congestion and prevents poisoning.

ginkgo

A well-known plant that improves blood circulation, ensuring its flow to the brain and beneficially influencing the condition of blood vessels. These properties allow you to relieve headaches of any intensity. Unfortunately, only “live”, unprocessed ginkgo leaves, which are quite difficult to get, have a healing effect. Syrups, tablets, and plant-based nutritional supplements are highly questionable.

Nuts are extremely rich in nutrients, thanks to which it is an excellent antioxidant. In addition, walnuts have a beneficial effect on blood circulation, improve blood composition, calm the nervous system and strengthen the immune system.

Although no cure has yet been found to make cluster headaches disappear forever, it is worth making sure that they occur as infrequently as possible. It is recommended to give up alcohol and cigarettes, exercise moderately, be outdoors more often and adjust the diet.

In addition, it is useful to protect yourself from stress as much as possible and, if possible, find time for a good sleep.

Cluster headache is a type of discomfort that is characterized by a very high intensity. Discomfort is most often concentrated in the eye area. The attack occurs unexpectedly. There is a similar headache in 1% of the population of our planet. It is much more common in men than in women. According to the ICD, the pathology has class G44.

A feature of the disease is that the frequency of attacks is different. For example, someone has cephalalgia for only one day, while someone suffers from it for months and even years. That is, seizures can be:

1. episodic,

In the first case, a person’s headache appears regularly for 7 days to a year. Between there are breaks up to 1 month. In most cases, it is these cluster pains that are diagnosed. Then they may no longer appear.

About how serious it is, how dangerous and painful, the following video can demonstrate. PLEASE DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO IF YOU HAVE A UNSTABLE PSYCHE OR YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY SENSITIVE IF YOU ARE A CHILD OR A PREGNANT WOMAN:

As for chronic discomfort, they are observed for 1 year or more. At the same time, painless periods differ in short duration. It should be noted that this form of the disease is very difficult to treat.

So, the presented pathological condition is different from other diseases. It has the following features:

• The duration of a cluster headache attack. It is short and lasts at least 15 minutes, maximum - an hour and a half.
• The timing of the onset. Headache appears almost at the same time of day. Most often, you can feel severe discomfort from midnight to 3 a.m.
• The number of manifestations of cephalgia per day. There are unpleasant sensations from 1 to 8 times a day.

• Duration of cluster headache attacks. It is about 6-12 weeks. This is followed by a stable remission, which lasts 1 year. If there is a chronic form of the disease, then discomfort occurs very often, and the pain-free period is short.
• Localization of discomfort. Cluster headache extends to the eyes, brow ridges, and temples. In addition, it can give to the jaw.

As you can see, it is possible to distinguish such a pathological condition from others. However, it can sometimes be difficult to cope with this on your own, so a visit to the doctor is your first step towards treatment.

Reasons for development

Before starting treatment for cluster headache, it is necessary to determine why it develops. So, there are such reasons for the appearance of discomfort:

1. Pathology of the hypothalamus.
2. Reaction to changing time zones.
3. Change in the lumen of blood vessels.

“Patients note the maximum manifestation of such pains on the day of the spring equinox. This is the reaction of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for wakefulness and sleep patterns. Elena Razumovna Lebedeva, a neurologist of the highest category, doctor of medical sciences, head of the center for the treatment and prevention of headaches in Yekaterinburg, tells about the causes of cluster pain and methods of treatment:

1. Inflammation of the optic nerves. This causes throbbing pain.
2. Violation of the functionality of the sympathetic nervous system.
3. Insomnia.

The main cause that causes the disease is still not exactly possible to establish.

Who is most susceptible to the disease?

It should be noted that this pathology, no matter what causes it, is most often found in such groups of people:

• For the most part, men who have reached the age of 40 suffer from this disease. In women, the disease manifests itself only after 60 years. However, not only adults, but also children can feel such discomfort.
• Smokers and people who abuse alcohol have symptoms of the disease much more often. The most dangerous drink for the body is beer.

Risk group: men who smoke and drink, over 25 years old, often experiencing stress, having sleep disorders

• Those people whose relatives had the same problem are more susceptible to the presented pathology. That is, genetic predisposition plays an important role.
• Cluster pain often haunts those people who have a history of traumatic brain injury, accompanied by a concussion.
• The disease is typical for patients who have various sleep disorders.

What factors cause cluster headache?

So, the triggers for such a pathological condition are:

1. Nicotine and alcohol.
2. Changing weather conditions.
3. Bright lighting.

Video on the topic - about the symptoms and treatment:

1. Great height.
2. Great nervous tension.
3. Some medications.

It should be noted that these factors can affect the human body only during an exacerbation. During the period of remission of the pathology, they do not cause headaches.

Symptoms

Naturally, the presented disease has its own distinctive features from other similar pathological conditions. The symptoms of the disease are:

• An excruciating headache, which in all cases covers only one side of the head. In this case, discomfort spreads to the area around or behind the eyes.
• The nature of the pain is boring, burning.
• Due to the strong intensity of unpleasant sensations, the patient develops aggression, anxiety, restlessness. Sometimes people even cry.
• Redness of the conjunctiva, increased tearing.

• Nasal congestion.
• The eyelids swell and may droop down.
• An increase in heart rate.
• Perspiration of face and forehead.
• Photophobia, as well as a negative reaction to sound. These symptoms are also characteristic of migraine.
• Vomiting or nausea.
• Pupil dilation.

In addition, cluster headache can also indicate some serious pathologies. They are characterized by the following symptoms:

1. A very severe and sudden headache that increases in intensity over time. Sometimes there is a change in the mental state of the patient. Such signs may indicate the development of a hemorrhagic stroke.

1. If there is loss of memory and balance, consciousness becomes confused, and speech is slurred, then such symptoms can also indicate the presence of a cerebral hemorrhage. This disease also confirms numbness of the extremities, impaired visual function.
2. after a brain injury, which is additionally accompanied by nausea and drowsiness.

1. Along with bouts of discomfort in the head area, the patient has an increase in body temperature, hardening of the occipital muscles. In this case, the doctor can diagnose.
2. If discomfort intensifies after physical exertion or coughing, then this situation indicates a possible swelling of the brain.
3. Discomfort appears in the eye area, while they turn red, visual effects appear. This is a signal of the development of such a dangerous disease as glaucoma.

In these cases, the patient should immediately consult a doctor. Cluster headache can be both an independent disease and a symptom of a more serious illness: a brain tumor, its infectious or inflammatory lesion. Therefore, it is not worth delaying the start of the examination.

How to diagnose this pathological condition?

Naturally, just like that, on the basis of the words of the patient, the doctor cannot prescribe medication. He needs to investigate further. Diagnosis should be differential, and include the following techniques:

• Studying the patient's medical history. In this case, the patient before a visit to a specialist needs to observe pain sensations. For example, he can, in which he will indicate such information: how often cluster headache attacks are repeated, what character they have, how long they last, and also how intense they are. In addition, it should be noted what factors provoke the appearance of discomfort, the general condition of a person during the development of pathology.
• External examination of the head and neck. In addition, the patient needs to undergo some neurological tests.

• CT or MRI.
• Dopplerography.
• Electroencephalography.

Perhaps the specialist will also prescribe laboratory tests, although they may be uninformative.

Cluster headache: traditional treatment

If the causes of the development of the disease are established, then therapy can begin. It includes two stages: the relief of an acute attack and the elimination of pain, as well as preventive treatment that will prevent relapses.

So, it is possible to treat the presented pathology with medications:

1. (they are also intended to eliminate migraine attacks): Sumatriptan, Zomig. Moreover, they can be purchased both in the form of tablets and in the form of liquids for intranasal inhalation.
2. Ergotamines: Nomigren, Caffetamine, Migranal. Moreover, the pain in this case goes away very quickly. However, these drugs give a large number of side effects, in addition, they can be combined with only a small amount of medications.
3. Oxygen inhalations: 7-10 liters per minute. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.
4. Lidocaine nose drops that help relieve acute headaches.
5. "Capsaicin". It is applied intranasally, and is made on the basis of hot pepper.

Treatment regimen

If drug therapy does not help relieve unpleasant symptoms, as well as eliminate the cause of their appearance, then surgical intervention can be applied. The following procedures are used:

• Cluster headaches are treated with deep electrical brain stimulation. Used to treat chronic seizures that do not respond to drug therapy.
• Stimulation of the occipital nerves. This is a less risky operation. However, it is not always possible to predict what result it will give. In some patients, after it, the number of seizures increases.

• Vagus nerve stimulation.
• Removal of the facial nerves that cause pain, or their blockage.
• Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve.

With age, seizures stop, but when exactly this will happen, it is impossible to say.

Alternative treatment

In order to eliminate cluster headaches, you can use folk recipes. And they do not require any preparation. So, the following folk remedies will be useful for the treatment of such a pathological condition:

1. Turmeric. It is successfully included in the diet of those people who have frequent headaches. It has an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect.
2. Cayenne pepper. This is another folk remedy that helps get rid of seizures. On the basis of this ingredient, therapeutic ointments are made, which are applied to the patient's temples.

1. Walnuts have excellent antioxidant properties, improve blood circulation and blood composition, and have a calming effect on the nervous system.
2. Ginkgo. This plant improves blood circulation.
3. Kudzu. This product perfectly copes not only with headaches, but also with dizziness, as well as congestion in the ear.

Folk remedies are not a panacea, but they can be used in complex therapy. They must be applied carefully. The key point here is do no harm.

What complications can arise?

So, cluster headaches are not an easy disease. It can provoke such complications:

• Deterioration of the mental and emotional state.
• Stroke.
• Risk of damage to the retina.
• Damage to small blood vessels.

Features of preventive treatment

To prevent the disease, medications can be used: verapamil hydrochloride, lithium carbonate. In addition, behavioral therapy is an effective part of complex treatment. Of course, the patient will have to give up smoking, as well as limit or completely stop drinking alcohol.

More details about the treatment of the disease are told by folk doctors from the program “Live Healthy!” (start at 34:40):

To prevent a pathological condition, calcium channel blockers, which are usually used for hypertension, can be used. They are good for preventing episodic cluster headaches. Sometimes the patient is prescribed hormonal drugs: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone. It is necessary to take them for only a week, after which the dosage is gradually reduced, and they are canceled altogether.

Antiepileptic drugs help in the prevention of this kind of headaches: Depacon, Topiramate. Each drug can have side effects, so the doctor decides on its appropriateness.

For preventive purposes, Botox injections are widely used. To prevent the appearance of painful sensations of the cluster type, the patient may be prescribed "Melatonin". This brain hormone, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle, can prevent both chronic and episodic headaches. However, it should not be taken on its own.

Be that as it may, cluster headaches must be treated with all care, as their consequences can be very serious. In addition, the presence of other diseases in which such a pathological condition is only a symptom cannot be excluded. Do not be ill!