Cluster headache

The concept of "cluster headache" was derived from the English word cluster (congestion). In people, this pain is called "beam", because It is characterized by acute unilateral pain, usually in the field of the temple or eye, which is most often manifested in series over a period of several weeks or months.

Cluster headache is a fairly rare disease, which occurs 10 times less frequently than migraine. This ailment is inherent only in men (90% of patients are men), and in the majority it is men of athletic build at the age from 25 to 35 years.

Attacks of a headache begin approximately at the same time. The most dangerous time is the first 2-3 hours after falling asleep. Cluster headache begins to manifest one-sided, piercing spasms in the eye area, or behind it. After a certain period of time, it begins to spread further: on the forehead, cheek, temple, and sometimes even on the jaw. But, in addition to the very headache itself , various secondary signs are often observed. Such as lacrimation, excessive sweating, rhinorrhea, eyelid edema , reddening of the face and others.

The attack has a progressive nature: during the first 5-15 minutes the pain grows very quickly, and then during the 30-50 minutes to 3-4 hours it remains low; In some cases, the attack can last several days, and sometimes until the symptoms disappear completely, weeks and months pass. However, medicine knows cases of chronic and prolonged cycles of cluster pain. Throughout the attack, the patient feels restless, agitated, because of severe pain, he can moan, rush and scream.

Many patients during the attacks prefer to walk, run, or at least just stand still, tk. Being in a lying position only worsens the condition. Over time, the pain gradually recedes, and the emotional and physical exhaustion comes to replace it. Usually, during one cycle, 6 to 10 seizures occur per day for 5-13 weeks. Then usually there is a long-term remission, which every time lasts longer and longer. And in the end, headaches can disappear altogether.

What causes cluster pains?

The cause of the onset of cluster headaches has still not been found. There are various assumptions about their origin. The most common among them is the genetic predisposition. Therefore, it is especially necessary to be cautious to persons who suffer from this disease from close relatives. Another view is that the cluster headache appears as a result of any changes in a specific area of the brain (hypothalamus).

However, there are also some things that can cause an attack: alcohol abuse, smoking, a strong cold wind, exhausting heat, too bright light. Also, the attack can be triggered by the reception of nicotinic acid, nitroglycerin and other vasodilators.

Cluster headache - treatment

Unfortunately, at the present time there is no definite means for completely getting rid of this disease. However, with a competent and responsible approach, treatment can greatly facilitate attacks and shorten their period. Often doctors prescribe to patients during the cluster period to drink such a drug as "Verapamil", it will help prevent the onset of an attack. If the attack does come, an anesthetic may help, the drug Sumatriptan. But still it is better to see a doctor for an individual selection of treatment taking into account the characteristics of the body, since all people are individual and can react in completely different ways to the same medications.