Cluster Headaches Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Cluster head aches:

Cluster head aches are not so common like migraine. However it is not uncommon. Men are more prone for the cluster attacks more so in smokers and persons habituated to drink alcohol. It is characterized by severe pain on one side of the head and attacking at regular intervals as the name implies three to four times in a day. Each episode of attack lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Simple attacks subside in about 10 minutes.

Symptoms of Cluster headaches:

The pain is characterized by severe excruciating pain on one side of the temple and pain over the eye. The eye lid droops down with redness of the eye, lacrimation, running down of the nose and stiffness of the nostrils. The episode of pain lasts for some time and subsides. The attack repeats again which is a characteristic feature of cluster head aches.

Treatment for cluster headaches:

Analgesics are generally prescribed for controlling the pain.
Mood changing drugs are also given which are also effective.
If the episodes are prolonged and the pain is severe cortico steroids are also given to control the attack.

Prevention of cluster headaches:

Stop smoking and drinking alcohol to avoid triggering an attack.