Dr. Paul Donohue in his column in Detroit News gave a very readable description of cluster headaches and available treatments. Here's a brief summary with references and comments included for your reading pleasure:
"Cluster headaches get the name "cluster" because they come in clusters of up to eight episodes in 24 hours, and in daily clusters that last weeks to months. Then they disappear for as long as years, but they invariably return. A few people have chronic cluster headaches without any remissions.
The headache is one-sided and centers around the eye, which is often red and teary. The nostril on that side frequently becomes stuffy and drippy. The involved side of the face might sweat. The pain is intense and can last for as short as 15 minutes or as long as three hours."
The possible treatments include:
- Breathing 100-percent oxygen
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex, Imigran), a migraine drug, in a form of self-injection
- Ergotamine (precursor of LSD), another migraine medicine, that comes in an under-the-tongue form
- Preventives for cluster headaches include ergotamine, verapamil, lithium and prednisone
Ed. Comment: Other well-established preventives include Magnesium supplements, Melatonin, Muscle relaxants, Methysergide and Topamax, see this reference.
Unlike migraine headaches, cluster headaches don't seem to demonstrate a strong hormone connection.
Cluster headaches tend to decrease and eventually disappear as the person gets older.
link: Oxygen may help cluster headaches
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