Causative and risk factors
The exact cause behind the development of cluster headache is not yet known.
Males have a higher risk of developing cluster headaches.
You also have a higher risk of developing cluster headaches if someone else in your family has it too.
The known trigger factors for the onset of cluster headache include smoking, consumption of alcohol, physical or emotional stress and certain medications such as nitroglycerin or histamine.
Clinical presentation
Cluster headaches are episodic, cyclic with periods of remission. Most cases of cluster headaches occur whilst the person is asleep, thus awakening him. A cluster headache begins suddenly, is one-sided and is very severe mainly centered around 1 eye. The pain of cluster headache is very severe but it does not last more than a few hours at a time. The affected eye appears congested and red. There is rhinorrhea, excessive lachrymation and drooping of eyelids.
Diagnosis & Investigations
The diagnosis of cluster headache can be made on the basis of symptomatic assessment. Occasionally your doctor may advise a CT or MRI scan of the brain to rule out other conditions.
Treatment
There is no cure available yet for cluster headache. The aim of treatment is to bring down the intensity and frequency of headache episodes.
The treatment occurs in 2 phases:
In the acute phase, treatment consists of oral or injectable drugs to relieve the pain. The patient is advised to rest.
Remission phase – Certain medications can be used during the remission phase in an attempt to prevent further episodes of cluster headaches. They include corticosteroids, calcium channel blockers, ergotamine, melatonin, lithium carbonate etc.
