Cluster Migraine Headaches and Cluster Migraines Information

Cluster Migraine Headaches: What They Are and How They're Treated.

Cluster migraine headaches can be even more debilitating than regular migraines. The cause of cluster migraine headaches is not known, but researchers believe that hypothalamus abnormalities may play a part. They’re called cluster migraine headaches because they occur in cycles. Over a period of weeks or months, a rash of headaches will occur. They strike daily, often at the same time each day. The cluster migraine headaches then fade away for a period of time in which the sufferer has no further symptoms.

The basic symptoms of cluster migraine headaches are sudden, intense pain on one side of the face, especially around the temple or eye socket; congested or runny nasal passages; and a drooping, swollen, red, or tearing eye. The pain is severe and is often described as sharp or burning.

Unlike regular migraines, cluster migraine headaches occur more often in men than in women and are so severe that most medications work too slowly to help the pain. Also unlike regular migraines, cluster headaches give no warning and have no discernible phases-- they occur suddenly.

Over-the-counter medications aren't powerful enough to help most cluster migraine headaches. Common treatments include both preventive and abortive care. Preventive care helps to stop or reduce the severity of cluster headaches before they start. Methysergide is a common preventative prescribed to treat cluster migraine headaches. This causes blood vessels to constrict and reduces inflammation. It may only be taken during a cycle of migraine headache episodes, though; methysergide can also cause serious side effects.

If a cluster migraine headache does start, several abortive treatments have proven effective. Breathing pure oxygen for ten to fifteen minutes has been shown to help. Medications that can be taken under the tongue for quick absorption, such as ergotamine tarrate, or injected, like Imitrex, are also effective.

Author: James Ellen, Cluster Migraines Information & Reviews