The A to Z of Headaches

You are here:
Directory | Headaches | Cluster Headaches

Cluster Headaches
By Wendy Simons

There are many people in the world who suffer from various types of headaches. Usually these headaches can be treated with over the counter pain medications. There are times when the headache pain that is experienced is very severe. One such headache that can cause severe pain is called Cluster headaches.

This form of headaches is considered as being very rare. Where other headaches appear to occur as a band around the forehead region Cluster Headaches occur in groups or clusters. The pain from a Cluster Headache can last between 15 minutes up to 3 hours. They are of a very severe nature where the pain is felt as a sharp and piercing.

Generally Cluster Headaches occur near one of the eyes or temple sides. Some of the signs of Cluster Headaches include drooping eyelids, red and watery eyes, and nasal congestion on the affected side of the face. With Cluster Headaches the pain can be felt in either side of the head as Cluster Headaches are unilateral.

The other symptoms of Cluster Headaches include having a stiff or tender neck, and suffering from jaw and teeth pain. Cluster Headaches are one of a primary group of headaches where the cause is not fully understood. It is known that Cluster Headaches occur frequently and that while they are of a short time period they cause the sufferer severe to excruciating pain.

In Cluster Headaches the pain is strictly one sided and it is intense. The pain is known to develop around the eyes. It can occur once a day or more during the day. Generally the Cluster Headache develops at night and it may last for about 30 to 60 minutes.

Cluster Headaches can occur as episodic Cluster headaches as well. These headaches are of a 6 to 12 week duration. During this period the sufferer will experience their Cluster Headache about once a year or for two years. They will develop the pain symptoms at the same time in each attack.

With episodic Cluster Headaches the headaches can strike at the same time for a period of about several week. This time period is followed by a length of headache free time. This period may last for weeks or even years. Chronic Cluster Headache sufferers on the other hand will experience multiple headaches everyday for many years.

Cluster Headaches are also called alarm clock headaches, due to their ability to wake the sufferer from a sound night’s sleep, Horton’s syndrome and suicide headaches. This last name is in reference to the excruciating pain and the desperation to end the pain.

While medical science has described Cluster Headaches as being benign, for the person who has to live with this pain the attacks can be painful and debilitating. It seems that the only way to stop these attacks is with medications that have been special designed for Cluster Headaches.

Author Details:
Wendy Simons, writes for various websites, mainly about skin care, microdermabrasion and other health matters. If you are looking for further information try these migraine articles from Simply Top

Source: The A to Z of Headaches

NOTE: This article may be reproduced ONLY if this note, the article source, the author details with all links remaining active and in place.

Related Headache Articles:

Straight to the point short articles about the headache:

Older Articles About Headaches:

You are here:
Directory | Headaches |