| Suffered by over one million people in the | | | | |
| United States alone (with 90% being male | | | | When experiencing a cluster headache. |
| between the ages of 20 and 50), cluster | | | | Sufferers most commonly report pain on only |
| headaches is one of the least common types of | | | | one side of the head and face during a single |
| headaches. While the cause is unknown for | | | | series. It should be noted, however, that the |
| this very debilitating type of headache, it | | | | pain can move to the other side once one |
| has been reported that using alcohol during | | | | cycle is over, and a new one begins. Most |
| an attack increases its severity. However, no | | | | commonly felt behind the eye, the pain from a |
| proof has been cited to conclude that alcohol | | | | cluster headache often radiates to the face |
| use actually causes and onset of a cluster of | | | | and down the neck. The effected eye may |
| headaches. | | | | become swollen, droopy and begin to weep. |
| | | | Excessive sweating is not uncommon during an |
| What Is A Cluster Headache? | | | | attack, leaving the sufferer with a flushed |
| | | | face. |
| Similar to the severity of a migraine, | | | | |
| cluster headaches start suddenly, offering | | | | How Do I Treat A Cluster Headache? |
| little warning of its advancement. Some | | | | |
| people have reported a feeling of discomfort | | | | Due to the fact the chronic cluster headache |
| or a mild one-sided burning sensation in the | | | | periods are continuous, patients often do not |
| head and face prior to an attack. The pain | | | | respond favorably to regular forms of |
| may be short lived (often less than an hour), | | | | headache therapy. However, preventative |
| but will disappear, only to return later in | | | | therapy administered as soon as symptoms |
| the day and into the evening. | | | | begin may help to lesson the severity and |
| | | | duration of symptoms. Some common forms of |
| Most sufferers report as many as four or more | | | | treatment include: |
| of these short-lived headaches in a single | | | | |
| day, with the duration of the series, lasting | | | | Histamine Desensitization. |
| for days, weeks, or in the most severe cases, | | | | |
| months. While the headache periods may last | | | | Oxygen Inhalation. |
| for prolonged periods of time, sufferers | | | | |
| usually are granted months or years of relief | | | | Surgical Intervention. |
| in between these painful attacks. Sufferers | | | | |
| are most affected during the spring and fall, | | | | They may not be as effective as some |
| which often makes them susceptible to | | | | treatments; taking analgesics, using massage |
| misdiagnosis as less serious allergy | | | | therapy and relaxation techniques. Using |
| headaches. | | | | preventative prescription headache |
| | | | medications have also been used successfully |
| What Does A Cluster Headache Feel Like? | | | | by some patients. |