QUESTION: After a siege of the most terrible headaches you can imagine, I consulted a physician and was told that I had condition known as "cluster headaches".
It was more than a month before I was finally over the attacks. I need to know all I can, and hope you will answer my question.
Can you tell me where these frightful headaches come from, and what can be done to treat them besides antihistamines and pain pills?
ANSWER: This type of headache was named for the manner in which they occur, attacking the patient in episodes that come in groups or clusters.
Their cause remains puzzling to the medical community.
We do know that they seem to be aggravated by certain substances that cause blood vessels to enlarge, like alcohol, nitroglycerin and certain foods.
They affect men more frequently than women and they usually first appear between the ages of 20 and 40.
The headaches themselves come on abruptly, creating a severe burning pain around the eye which can last from a few minutes up to four hours, but usually last for 30-45 minutes.
Sometimes they are accompanied by a drooping of the eyelid, a narrowing of the pupil, sweating, red eye and flushing of the face on the same side as the headache.
In many cases only some, but not all of these symptoms may occur.
Most people will experience the pain a few times a day and this may continue for weeks to months. The two most commonly used therapies to decrease or relieve the pain are ergotamine and oxygen.
Ergotamine is a drug which can be taken under the tongue and is about the easiest to use.
100% oxygen inhaled for about fifteen minutes also seems to provide relief, but this is a cumbersome treatment as it is not easy to carry the necessary equipment about with you.
Various other therapies use beta-blockers (such as indomethacin) and calcium channel blockers.
Lithium carbonate has been used to treat the chronic variety of this distressing disease.
Its not an easy disease to treat and there are moments of frustration for both the patient and physician.
The best counsel I can offer you is to understand your condition thoroughly and follow the advice of your physician carefully.
You will want every possible factor to work in your favor to prevent the frequent reoccurrence of this trying disease.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
