You want cluster headache treatments, but need more information?

Before we can understand cluster headache treatments, we need to understand what clusters are. As is usually the case with migraine attacks, cluster headaches are one sided and severe. The headache is often described as pressing, boring, or stabbing, and in about 1/3 of cases throbbing.

Typically, cluster headache tends to be more severe than migraine headache.

Not only are some symptoms the same, some cluster treatments are the same as for migraine, as you will see. Be sure to visit the rest of this site for more info, especially the pages about preventative meds and abortives.

Cluster attacks are usually quite different from migraine attacks in that they're more sudden and don't last as long. They may reach peak intensity within 5-10 minutes, then last less than an hour (occasionally 3 hours). Also unlike migraine sufferers, those with cluster headaches usually prefer to be on the move, and would rather not lie down.

Other symptoms may include watery eyes and congestion, a drooping eyelid, and sweating.

Read this article for more on typical cluster headache symptoms.

Cluster headaches get their name because they tend to go in cycles. You may get 1-8 headaches a day, and this may even go on for weeks, and then they'll disappear for a while. The cycle is different in everyone. Chronic cluster is a rare case where the headache continues for at least a year without a remission (or only brief remissions of less than a month). Cluster headache treatments are still developing.

Read this article for more on what may cause cluster headache...

Cluster Headache Treatments

Medications

For treating these headaches after they start, a variety of drugs have been successful. For example, Sumatriptan (Imitrex) (injected beneath the skin), DHE (may be injected), Ergotamine, and topical lidocaine (nosedrops or cream). Butorphanol nasal spray has also been used, although it is usually avoided because of the risk of addiction.

As a preventative treatment, some of the most popular include verapamil, methysergide, divalproex sodium (Depakote), lithium carbonate, baclofen, melatonin, and topical capsaicin cream (applied in the nostril). In some recent trials, Topamax has been shown to be effective for cluster headache. More trials are needed before we'll know for sure.

Usually these require a prescription. You can visit our search page to find the medications that you need.

Other cluster headache treatments...

One of the best treatments your doctor may give you if you're in the middle of a headache is giving you pure oxygen to breath. This method seems to be effective in about 70% of cases.

If medical treatment is ineffective, there is also surgical treatment. This area of research is very promising. For example, there is surgery available which will get rid of the nerve itself that is sending the pain signals. As you may guess, such treatment has its risks, but the pain of cluster may make it worth investigating surgical treatments!

For self help, check out our home remedies for cluster headache treatments, many of which you may find effective. Another of the helpful cluster headache treatments is simply exercise. Some also try putting pressure on their head. This may include putting pressure on the middle of the pain location.

Pepper cream applied to the area of pain, or a side of the nose or temple, or peppermint cream on the back of the neck has been helpful to some sufferers.

Read this article on cluster headache solutions for more information on cluster headache treatments and therapies...