subject: Cluster Headache Treatment [print this page] The best cluster headache treatment available is abortive oxygen treatment. The patient inhales pure oxygen through a mask for several minutes until the pain is gone. This treatment is very successful for many sufferers. Often, through oxygen inhalation the pain will be gone after just a few minutes. For others the relief may only be temporary and return after the sufferer stops inhaling the oxygen. Before we discuss cluster headache treatment, here is a brief introduction to cluster headaches: Cluster headaches are a rare (occurrence less than 0.1% of the population, affecting predominantly the males) type of sudden and acute, but short-lived headache attacks that come recurrently in different stages or clusters; each attack can last for 15 minutes to 3 hours. This type of headaches are so excruciatingly painful that they are sometimes also known as suicide headaches.
Before we can discuss the different possible treatments for cluster headaches, we need to make sure you know what cluster headaches really are. Cluster headaches are also known as "suicide headaches", they are the most painful headaches you can have. The headaches will occur in clusters that can go on for up to 6 to 8 weeks. Sometimes even longer. When you have cluster headaches, you will recognize it with these symptoms: the headaches will be very severe and around one eye or the temple area. Cluster headaches also known as Suicide headache are considered some of the most extreme and painful headaches you can get. They usually occur in group or clusters in your head. The sufferers from these types of headaches experience symptoms like: Very severe headaches near one eye or around the temple area. The duration of those headaches can vary between fifteen minutes to three hours.
A sufferer of a cluster headache sometimes experiences will often have a runny nose or eyes. The pain tends to focus behind one eye, and can be explained as like having an ice-pick driven into the eye. This extremely uncomfortable sensation can become very intense, often times resulting in a pain crisis. The pain is often intense enough to cause irrational behaviour and extreme reactions. Immediate treatment is very important. Sedatives and pain killers should be the first line of defence against cluster headaches. Frequent cluster headaches should be a signal to see the doctor. Although cluster can occur without any discernable cause, they may sometimes be a sign of a deeper neurological issue. If this is the case, patients should see a doctor as soon as possible. Some forms of stress management may also be considered effective cluster headache treatment.
While treatments that narrow the arteries again bring relief with migraines, the most common painkillers for this purpuse like Aspirin, Paracetamol or Ibuprofen have no effect on cluster headaches. Triptans like sumatriptan and zolmitriptan or the newer medications like fentanyl are more effective but cluster headaches happen so quickly that any oral treatment will come too late. That's why an injection is one of the few ways to treat a cluster headache quickly.
