Important Information About Cluster Headaches

A small portion of the human population suffers from a type of headache known as cluster headaches. It is estimated that about 69 out of a 100,000 people will get cluster headaches. There is not a lot of information about these type of headaches however you should find out as much as possible so that you can accurately diagnose your problem should you ever suffer from a cluster headache.

Typically cluster headaches will first occur when people are between twenty and fifty years of age. Thirty years is the typical median age for these types of headaches. Although cluster headaches is a condition that can strike people at any age with some occurring even before ten years of age and over eighty years of age. Most often men get cluster headaches and only about one out of six people who get cluster headaches are women.

By knowing the symptoms that happen with a cluster headache you will be able to understand whether or not you have a cluster headache. On average a half hour to two hours is the usual duration of a cluster headache. Attacks of cluster headaches can occur between once a week and six per day. The occurrence of cluster headaches varies depending on how severe the condition is. Cluster headaches often come in waves and will occur for four to eight weeks before going into remission. In severe cases cluster headaches can last for years, but this is only in a small percentage of people who have cluster headaches.

The condition of the nasal passage is the best place to look when trying to find symptoms that can help you diagnose cluster headaches. Often times those who experience cluster headaches will have a blockage of the nasal passages. Another sign of cluster headaches is a redness of the eye along with sweating from both the forehead and cheeks. At the start of cluster headaches a persons heart rate will often increase quickly, which is something you should take note of. With a cluster headache the pain will typically begin around the eyes and the spread outward. Cluster headache will come on quickly and often reach the maximum pain level within two to fifteen minutes.

Currently there is no treatment for those who have cluster headaches but there are options that will help you reduce the amount of pain that accompanies the headaches. Aspirin and other common analgesics are often not effective enough when trying to reduce the pain caused by cluster headaches since it takes too long for the pills to take effect and by the time they do the headaches will be over or near the end. Doctors will often prescribe antihistamines, calcium channel blockers and ergot preparation for people who experience cluster headaches in an effort to reduce the symptoms people experience.

You should speak to your doctor about cluster headaches if you find that the pain from your headaches effects your sleep, causes you to loose focus or you experience pain whenever you do active movement.