This rare type of headache affects one in 1,000 people.
What are cluster headaches?
Far less common than other types of headache, cluster headaches only affect around 0.1% of the population, and they’re regarded as one of the worst types of headaches you can experience. Here at Melbourne Headache and Concussion Group, we’ve met with some women who have described the pain as being worse than that of childbirth. Attacks typically occur in cyclical patterns or ‘cluster periods’, hence their name.
These severe headaches belong to a category of primary headache disorders known as trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs).
If the cluster period is followed by a period of remission (where you are headache-free for weeks, months, or even years), this is known as episodic cluster headache. If the period lasts for a year or longer without a break, this is known as chronic cluster headache.
Signs and symptoms of cluster headaches
For most sufferers, severe pain from cluster headaches only affects one side of the head (most commonly around, behind, or above the eye and/or temporal region).
The duration of an attack may range between 15 minutes and three hours, occurring anywhere from eight times a day to once every second day. They typically occur at night or in the early hours of the morning, and often at the same time each day.
Other symptoms that may be experienced include:
- Sharp or stabbing pain around one eye
- Pain that radiates around the face, head, and neck
- Restlessness (some people try to relieve their pain by pacing, rocking back and forth in a hot shower, or even banging their head against a wall)
- Difficulty breathing
- Bloodshot and irritated eye
- Watery eye
- Nasal congestion or a runny nose
- Swelling around the eye
- Droopy eyelid
- Forehead or facial sweating
- Agitation
- Pale or flushed face
Causes of cluster headaches
Recent research has shown that a disorder in the neck, specifically a fault in the upper cervical spine (which results in a sensitised brainstem), is a primary contributing factor to cluster headaches.
Other contributing factors may include a trigeminocervical complex (TCC), where there has been an injury or overstimulation to the trigeminal nerve; increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP); and circadian rhythm dysregulation.
They are more common in men than women, in those aged 20 to 50, and people who smoke are at greater risk of developing chronic cluster headaches. There is also some evidence to suggest that they run in families.
Other common triggers include alcohol, food that contains nitrates (such as garlic and meat), strong odours (such as perfume and paint), certain medications (nitroglycerin), and weather changes.
Are you experiencing excruciating cluster headaches? There’s no need to suffer in silence!
How are cluster headaches treated?
Over the years, several different treatment methods have been trialled for sufferers of cluster headache attacks. Some of the options that may be explored include:
- Watson Headache® Approach: This is a series of manual, non-manipulative cervical techniques that are designed to address disorders and misbehaviours in the upper neck.
- Oxygen Therapy: Although it’s unclear why this may help, some patients report a decrease in symptoms after breathing in pure oxygen via a mask for around 15 minutes.
- Supplements: A regimen focused on anti-inflammation (including Vitamin D3, Omega 3 fish oil, calcium, magnesium glycinate, vitamin K2, Vitamin A, Vitamin B50, Zinc, and Boron) may help.
- Medications: Triptans, lidocaine, ergotamine, and caffeine may provide relief in acute episodes, while Verapamil, Lithium, Topiramate, Botox, and corticosteroids may work as preventatives.
- Electrical Stimulation: Some patients have also found that neuromodulation via either a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator or sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation may provide relief.
Your cluster headache questions answered
Why Melbourne Headache & Concussion Group?
Patient-Centric Care
We take a holistic approach that addresses the whole person rather than just their symptoms in an effort to provide relief and improve quality of life.
Watson Headache® Approach
Our treatment is based on the Watson Headache® approach, which is non-invasive and medication-free. It has been in use for more than 20 years.
Personalised Treatment
We develop individual treatment plans according to the unique situations and goals of our patients. These plans are adaptable to meet changing needs.
Preparing for your consultation
During your initial consultation at Melbourne Headache & Concussion Group, your clinician will conduct an in-depth assessment designed to identify any potential factors that could be causing your headaches. They will pay close attention to your upper cervical spine in particular.
It can be very helpful to keep a headache diary for the time leading up to your appointment. This will provide your clinician with a lot of useful information in determining your diagnosis. The diary should include the date and time of each headache, duration, intensity, possible triggers, symptoms (including any that occurred before the headache struck), and anything that provided relief.
There is hope for sufferers of cluster headaches
The pain experienced during cluster headache periods can be excruciating and debilitating; seeking professional medical help is paramount to finding relief. The team of clinicians at Melbourne Headache & Concussion Group has experience in treating these types of headaches, taking a holistic approach to help you manage your condition. You don’t have to suffer alone– book your appointment at our Williamstown clinic today.