Understanding Cluster Headaches
Author: LeeDobbins. Total views: 8 Word Count: 450
The causes of cluster headaches are still unknown and of particular interest as the pain from cluster headaches can be so intense that a person can become incapacitated. There are no warning signs that a cluster headache is about to happen and they can last for as long as three hours before you experience any relief.
The pain you feel with a cluster headache is much greater than a traditional headache. The pain is generally located behind the temple or eye and can spread to the neck or shoulders. Some frequent symptoms are eyelid drooping, tearing, runny nose, blushing, swelling, sweating and a reddening of the eye.
You can be a victim of either episodic or chronic cluster headaches. You can also suffering from episodic headaches and then become a chronic sufferer or vice versa. If you get a cluster headache at about the same time everyday but then notice that you don't get them for a few months and then they occur again then you suffer from episodic cluster headaches. A chronic sufferer will not experience any relief from these headaches but will always get them. The episodic relief period can last for as long as a few years before you begin to suffer from cluster headaches again.
Cluster headaches tend to be more prevalent in men than women, whereas women tend to have more migraine headaches. The pain from the cluster headache is caused by a dilation of the blood vessels which applies pressure onto the trigeminal nerve. The cause of the dilation of the blood vessels is still unknown.
It is thought that there is some genetic factor to those that experience cluster headaches though it cannot be traced to one gene. Those whose parents suffer from cluster headaches tend to suffer cluster headaches themselves.
Some triggers that cause cluster headaches are alcohol, chocolate, exposure to hydro carbon products like gasoline and perfume, nitro-glycerine, heat, lack of sleep, and too much sleep. Diet is thought to play an important part in cluster headaches but which foods trigger cluster headaches differs between individuals.
Over the counter pain medication like aspirin, Tylenol and Advil are ineffective and relieving cluster headache pain. You need to use either abortive or prophylactic medication to treat cluster headaches. Abortive treatments can decrease the length of your headache but does not eliminate them. Prophylactive or preventative treatment is always the preferred option.
Steroids, calcium channel blockers, methysergide, lithium, muscle relaxants, melatonin and magnesium supplements have all been found to help prevent cluster headaches. However individuals respond very differently to each type of treatment and you will need to determine the most effective treatment for you. There are many prescriptive and herbal abortive treatments available for use as well.
My Articles Directory Free Web Content Provider
About the Author
Do you suffer from painful headaches that come at the same time every day? Visit http://www.headachecausesandtreatments.com where you can find out more about what causes cluster headaches and find out about the latest cluster headache treatment options.
Copy and Paste Article Code.
Remember: The article body, title, author bio and links may not be changed or removed. By publishing this article, you agree to all the terms in our Terms of Service.