Cluster headaches are a debilitating neurological condition characterized by intense, excruciating pain focused around one eye or temple. Often referred to as "suicide headaches" due to their severity, cluster headaches are relatively rare but can significantly impact the quality of life for those affected.
Causes of Cluster Headaches: The exact causes of cluster headaches are not fully understood, but various factors have been identified as potential triggers. According to the Mayo Clinic, these triggers may include abnormalities in the hypothalamus (the area of the brain responsible for regulating sleep patterns and circadian rhythms), genetic predisposition, and certain lifestyle factors such as smoking or alcohol consumption. Hormonal imbalances and changes in barometric pressure have also been associated with cluster headaches.
Symptoms of Cluster Headaches: Cluster headaches are typically characterized by specific symptoms, which include severe unilateral (one-sided) pain, often described as a burning or piercing sensation. The pain is usually centered around one eye, temple, or forehead and can radiate to the neck and shoulder on the affected side. Other common symptoms include redness and tearing of the eye, drooping eyelids, nasal congestion or a runny nose, and facial sweating. The attacks typically occur in clusters, with multiple headaches happening over a period ranging from a few weeks to several months, followed by a remission period.
Treatment Options: Managing cluster headaches can be challenging, but several treatment options are available to alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks. These may include:
Acute Treatment:
High-flow oxygen therapy: Breathing pure oxygen through a mask can provide quick relief during a cluster headache attack.
Triptans: These medications can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation associated with cluster headaches.
Local anesthetics: Certain anesthetic agents, such as lidocaine, can be administered intranasally to provide temporary relief.
Preventive Treatment:
Verapamil: This calcium channel blocker is commonly prescribed as a preventive medication to reduce the frequency and severity of cluster headaches.
Corticosteroids: Short-term use of oral corticosteroids may be effective in interrupting cluster headache cycles.
Occipital nerve stimulation: In some cases, surgically implanted devices that deliver electrical impulses to the occipital nerves can help alleviate symptoms.
Emgality (galcanezumab): Emgality is a monoclonal antibody specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the preventive treatment of cluster headaches in adults. It works by blocking the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway involved in migraine and cluster headache attacks, thereby reducing their frequency and severity. Emgality is administered as a once-monthly subcutaneous injection.
If you suspect you may have cluster headaches, it's time to take control of your pain and seek expert care. At Cardinal Headache Center, we specialize in diagnosing and managing cluster headaches. Our team of experienced headache specialists is dedicated to providing comprehensive evaluations, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing support to help you find relief. Please contact us today for an appointment.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic - Cluster Headache:
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cluster-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20352080
American Migraine Foundation - Cluster Headache:
Source: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/cluster-headache/
National Headache Foundation - Cluster Headaches:
Source: https://headaches.org/2007/10/25
Emgality Prescribing Information: https://www.emgality.com/pdf/emgality-prescribing-information.pdf
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