Chronic Cluster Headaches

Suffer more than one million people in the U.S. alone (with 90% being males aged between 20 and 50), cluster headache is one of the less common types of headaches. Although the cause is unknown for this type of very debilitating headaches, it was reported that using alcohol in an attack increases its severity. However, no evidence was cited to conclude that the consumption of alcohol is the cause and onset of cluster headaches.

What is a cluster headache?
Similar to the severity of migraine, cluster headaches start suddenly, with little warning of its progress. Some people have reported a feeling of discomfort or a slight burning sensation way in the head and face before an attack. The pain may be short lived (often less than an hour), but it disappears, only to return later in the day and evening.

Most victims report four or more of the headaches of short duration in a single day, with the duration of the series, which lasts for days, weeks, or in severe cases, months. Although periods of headaches can last for extended periods of time, victims are usually given months or years of relief from these painful crises. The victims are most affected during the spring and fall, making them susceptible to misdiagnosis headaches less severe allergies.

What is a cluster headache Feel Like?
When you experience a cluster headache. The victims most often report pain on one side of the head and face during a single series. It should be noted, however, that the pain may move to the other side once a cycle has ended and another began. Most often felt behind the eye, the pain of cluster headaches often shines on the face and neck. The eye may become swollen done, Droopy and start crying. Excessive sweating is not uncommon during an attack, leaving the patient with a swollen face.

How to treat a cluster headache?
Given the chronic cluster headache periods are continuous, patients do not respond favorably to regular forms of treatment of headaches. However, preventive treatment administered at the onset of symptoms can help to lesson the severity and duration of symptoms. Some common forms of treatment include:

Histamine desensitization.
The inhalation of oxygen.
Surgery.
They may not be as effective as certain treatments, analgesics, using massage therapy and relaxation techniques. The preventive use of prescription drugs for headaches have also been used successfully in some patients.