What constitutes a Cluster Headache?
Cluster headaches are a type of headache that occurs daily over a period oftime, such as weeks, or even, sometimes months. They may disappear and then recur during the same season in the following year. 

Cluster headaches, named for their repeated occurrence over weeks or months at roughly the same time of day or night in clusters, begin as a minor pain around one eye, eventually spreading to that side of the face. The pain quickly intensifies, compelling the victim to pace the floor or rock in a chair. "You can't lie down, you're fidgety," explains a cluster patient. "The pain is unbearable." Other symptoms include a stuffed and runny nose and a droopy eyelid over a red and tearing eye.

Cluster headaches last between 30 and 45 minutes. But the relief people feel at the end of an attack is usually mixed with dread as they await a recurrence. Clusters may mysteriously disappear for months or years. Many people have cluster bouts during the spring and fall. At their worst, chronic cluster headaches can last continuously for years.

Cluster attacks can strike at any age but usually start between the ages of 20 and 40. Unlike migraine, cluster headaches are more common in men and do not run in families.

Studies of cluster patients show that they are likely to have hazel eyes and that they tend to be heavy smokers and drinkers. Paradoxically, both nicotine, which constricts arteries, and alcohol, which dilates them, trigger cluster headaches. The exact connection between these substances and cluster attacks is not known.

Despite a cluster headaches distinguishing characteristics, its relative infrequency and similarity to such disorders as sinusitis can lead to misdiagnosis. Some cluster patients have had tooth extractions, sinus surgery, or psychiatric treatment in futile efforts to cure their pain.

Research studies have turned up several clues as to the cause of cluster headache, but no answers. One clue is found in the thermograms of untreated cluster patients, which show a "cold spot" of reduced blood flow above the eye.

The sudden start and brief duration of cluster headaches can make them difficult to treat; however, research scientists have identified several effective drugs for these headaches. The antimigraine drug sumatriptan can subdue a cluster, if taken at the first sign of an attack. Injections of dihydroergotamine, a form of ergotamine tartrate, are sometimes used to treat clusters. Corticosteroids also can be used, either orally or by intramuscular injection.

Some cluster patients can prevent attacks by taking propranolol, methysergide, valproic acid, verapamil, or lithium carbonate.

Another option that works for some cluster patients is rapid inhalation of pure oxygen through a mask for 5 to 15 minutes. The oxygen seems to ease the pain of cluster headache by reducing blood flow to the brain.

In chronic cases of cluster headache, certain facial nerves may be surgically cut or destroyed to provide relief. These procedures have had limited success. Some cluster patients have had facial nerves cut only to have them regenerate years later.

Cluster Headache Symptomology: A person experiencing cluster headache may have up to eight attacks per day, each lasting about 15 to 45 minutes or longer. Attacks often come in the early morning hours and waken the patient from sleep. The pain of cluster headaches usually is located around one eye and is almost always on one side of the head (unilateral). There can be nasal stuffiness and tearing with the headache. The pain is excruciating for most people and lying down often makes cluster headaches worse. Some people pace the floor and move about, unable to find relief.

Cluster Headache Diagnosis:  Diagnosis of cluster headache is based on symptoms and a thorough medical examination, including the following:

• Blood tests including thyroid, liver, and kidney function tests
• Eye examination 
• Family history 
• Medical history (including medications and characteristics of the headache)
• Neurological examination 
• Sleep habits

Imaging studies of the brain may be necessary to rule out any serious underlying medical problem, such as brain tumor, stroke, infection, and vascular malformation (e.g., aneurysm).  Imaging studies that may be performed include:

• Computed tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) to examine the tissues and structures around, on, and in the brain
• Electroencephalogram (EMG) to measure brain activity 
• X-rays or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to evaluate the brain's blood vessels

Laboratory and imaging tests can help rule out secondary causes of headache, such as the following:

• Brain tumor
• Cerebral aneurysm 
• High blood pressure (hypertension) 
• Infection (e.g., meningitis, sinusitis, ear infection) 
• Temporal arteritis 
• Trigeminal neuralgia
  
  

FACT: Forty-Five (45) Million Americans suffer from chronic headaches.  What they don’t know, and the drug industry won’t tell you, is that your headaches may be caused by a simple problem; and cured with a simple solution.

Is there really a “Cure” for Headaches?