A striking feature of cluster headache is that the attacks occur in cyclical patterns, or clusters — which gives the condition its name. Bouts of frequent attacks may last from weeks to months. These are called cluster periods and are usually followed by remission periods when the headache attacks stop completely. The pattern varies from one person to another, but most people have one or two cluster periods a year. People can go months even years between cluster periods; this is referred to as the remission period. Generally, cluster headaches affect more men then women.
Cluster Headache Symptoms
The pain of a cluster headache is often described as sharp, penetrating or burning. Some symptoms include:
- excruciating pain, generally located in or around the eye, but may radiate to other areas of the face, head, neck and shoulders
- one-sided painestlessness
- excessive tearing
- redness in the eye of the affected side
- stuffy or runny nasal passage in the nostril on the affected side of the face
- sweaty, pale skin (pallor) on the face
- swelling around the eye on the affected side of the face
- reduced pupil size
- drooping eyelid
A cluster headache strikes quickly, usually without warning and although painful they are not life threatening. Typically the pain will end just as abruptly as it started leaving the person pain free but exhausted.
Characteristics of a Cluster Headache
During a cluster period people usually experience:
- Headaches that typically occur every day, sometimes several times a day.
- A single attack may last from 15 minutes to three hours.
- The attacks happen often at the same time within each 24-hour day.
- The majority of attacks occur between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.
The intensity and severity of the headache may be different day to day just like each cluster period may be different.
Cluster Headache Causes
The exact cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but abnormalities in the hypothalamus likely play a role. The patterns of the cluster periods suggest that the body's biological clock is involved. In humans, the biological clock is located in the hypothalamus, which lies deep in the center of the brain. Abnormalities of the hypothalamus may explain the timing and cyclical nature of cluster headache. Studies have detected increased activity in the hypothalamus during the course of a cluster headache.
Other factors that may be involved:
- Hormones: People who have cluster headaches have abnormal levels of certain hormones, such as melatonin and cortisol, during cluster periods.
- Neurotransmitters: Changes in the levels of some of the chemicals that carry impulses in the brain (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, may play a role in the development of cluster headaches.
Unlike migraine and tension headache, cluster headache generally isn't associated with triggers such as foods, hormonal changes or stress.
Cluster Headache Relief
The following home remedies may help you avoid a cluster attack during a cluster cycle:
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Cluster periods may begin when there are changes in your normal sleep schedule. During a cluster period, follow your usual sleep routine.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol consumption, including beer and wine, almost always triggers a headache during a cluster period. This can happen quickly, even before you finish your first drink.
- Be cautious in high altitudes. During a cluster period, the reduced oxygen at high altitudes may trigger a headache.
- Avoid tobacco products. Nicotine may trigger a headache during a cluster period. If you're prone to cluster headache, it's best to stop smoking and avoid other tobacco products.
- Avoid nitrates. During a cluster period, nitrates may trigger headaches for some people. Foods that contain nitrates include smoked and processed meats. Certain medications, such as nitroglycerin, also may contain nitrates.
These are just a few tips to help with the pain associated with cluster headaches.
Sources:
mayoclinic.com "Cluster Headaches" (accessed March 2010)
webmd.com "Cluster Headache - Topic Overview" (accessed March 2010)
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