Cluster headaches or cluster headaches is pain in headaches that occur repeatedly in certain cycles. Cluster headaches are characterized by pain around the eyes, on one side of the head.
When headaches strike, cluster headaches can occur every day. This cycle can be repeated several times in a matter of weeks, months, or years. These headaches tend to appear regularly at the same time.
During a cluster headache, there is a period when the headache does not appear at all. This period is called a period of remission and can last for several months or years.
Treatment of cluster headaches aims to reduce the severity of pain, shorten the duration of the onset of pain, and prevent cluster headaches from recurring.
Cluster Headache Symptoms
Cluster headaches often strike suddenly without warning. However, cluster headaches can sometimes start with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Pain caused by cluster headaches usually occurs on only one side of the head, such as the left or right, or on the side of the forehead or back of the head. The pain can radiate to the face, jaw, top of the head, and neck, and cause the sufferer to have trouble sleeping and look pale.
There are several characteristic symptoms that distinguish cluster headaches from other types of headaches (eg migraines), namely:
- Pain increases rapidly until it reaches a peak in 5-10 minutes and can last 15 minutes to 3 hours.
- Pain occurs at the same time every day. Usually occurs 1 or 2 hours before bedtime.
- Pain persists several times a day for 1 week to 1 year, followed by a period of remission before the cluster headache recurs.
In addition to the typical symptoms above, there are several other symptoms that also occur only on one side of the head that hurts, namely:
- Red eye
- Swelling around the eyes
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Eyelids look limp
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you feel a headache that is severe or interferes with your activities. Although rare, severe headaches can be related to other diseases, such as dilated blood vessels (aneurysms) or brain tumors.
Go to the hospital emergency room immediately if:
- Severe headaches occur suddenly and have never been experienced before.
- Headaches occur after a head injury, for example from a bump or fall
- Headache with fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, convulsions, muscle stiffness, and speech disturbances.
- Headaches get worse over time.
Cluster headaches are more prone to be experienced by smokers and people who frequently consume alcoholic beverages. To prevent this, consult with your doctor about how to stop smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages.
Causes of Cluster Headaches
Until now, it is not known what causes cluster headaches. However, it is suspected that this disease is related to disorders of the hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus is a part of the brain whose function is to maintain a stable body system. Disorders of the hypothalamus can trigger pain and sensations in the body.
Some of the factors that can increase a person's risk of developing cluster headaches are:
- Between 20-50 years old
- Male gender
- Consuming alcoholic beverages
- Have a smoking habit
- Using nitroglycerin drugs
- Having a close family member who suffers from cluster headaches
Cluster Headache Diagnosis
To determine a cluster headache, the doctor will first ask about the characteristics, location, severity, and other symptoms that accompany the headache. The doctor will also ask how often and how long the headaches last.
Next, the doctor will perform an examination of nerve function. Examination of nerve function includes examination of brain function, sensory abilities, and reflexes. In patients with cluster headache, the results of examination of nerve function tend to be normal.
If the headache experienced by the patient is unusual and the results of the neurological examination show abnormalities, the doctor will perform a CT scan or MRI. This examination aims to find out the possibility of headaches in patients caused by other causes, such as tumors or aneurysms.
Cluster Headache Treatment
Treatment of cluster headaches aims to reduce pain, reduce headache duration, and prevent headache attacks. The treatment method your doctor chooses depends on the cause, as well as how often and how long cluster headaches last.
In some sufferers, cluster headaches can be treated at home in simple ways, including:
- Drink ginger tea.
- Perform deep breathing therapy or deep breathing exercise.
- Eat foods high in magnesium, such as almonds and avocados.
- Eating foods rich in vitamin B2, such as spinach, mushrooms, and yogurt.
- Apply essential oils, such as mint or eucalyptus oil mixed with coconut oil, to the forehead and temples.
While medical treatment for cluster headaches is divided into treatment for cluster headache attacks, and treatment to prevent the recurrence of cluster headaches. Here is the explanation:
Treatment for cluster headache attacks
Doctors can give a number of drugs or therapies below when cluster headaches strike:
- Pure oxygen, inhaled for 15 minutes.
- The drug sumatriptan.
- Capsaicin cream, applied to the aching head.
Treatment for prevention
In addition to functioning to prevent the recurrence of cluster headache attacks, the following medications can reduce the severity and duration of cluster headaches:
- Calcium antagonists, such as verapamil.
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone.
- muscle relaxants, such as baclofen.
- Lithium.
- Antidepressants.
- Ergotamine.
Cluster Headache Complications
Cluster headaches are harmless and do not cause brain damage. But if it is repeated frequently, this disease can trigger depression and interfere with the sufferer's quality of life.
In some cases, severe cluster headaches trigger some sufferers to attempt suicide. Therefore, it is important to avoid the triggering factors for cluster headaches.
Cluster Headache Prevention
To prevent cluster headaches, it is important for sufferers to identify what triggering factors are. Some of the ways this can be done are:
- Maintain regular sleep and wake patterns.
- Do not do sports in hot weather.
- Do not smoke and consume alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid inhaling odorous chemicals, such as perfume, paint, or gasoline.