Cluster Headaches: How To Deal With Them And When To Seek Medical Help?

 

A cluster headache is a series of cyclical headaches that are short-lived but painful. There is no proper cause associated with such frequent occurrences that last for weeks or months.

Most cluster headaches are characterized by intense pain around one eye or headache on one side. These headaches are more severe than migraines, but usually don't last long. Frequent attacks of headaches, called cluster periods, can last anywhere from weeks to months, usually followed by remission periods. As per the doctors from general medicine hospital in siliguri, an individual may go months and sometimes even years without experiencing headaches during remission.

Symptoms of cluster headaches

Cluster headaches begin suddenly without any warning or warning signs. You may feel nauseated and uncomfortable like you are suffering from a migraine. The specialists at the Desun Hospital, general medicine hospital in siliguri Cluster headaches are characterized by a number of symptoms.

● Pain on the left side of the head or behind one eye may radiate to other parts of the face, neck, and head

● Excessive sweating and restlessness

● Congestion and runny nose

● Redness and watering of the eyes

● An increase in pupil size in the eye

● Pale skin with a red and warm face

● Swollen eyes and drooping eyelids

● Swelling of the face on the affected side

In addition to the above symptoms, you may also experience migraine-like symptoms such as increased sensitivity to sound and light, usually on the affected side.

How are cluster headaches treated?

Cluster headaches according to the finest general medicine hospital in siliguri do not have a permanent cure since the cause is unknown, but attempts are made to reduce the severity of the pain and prevent recurrences.

For cluster headaches, pure oxygen inhaled through a mask may be helpful. This treatment only has one drawback: you cannot take an oxygen cylinder wherever you go.

Local anesthetics such as lidocaine reduce headaches when administered intranasally.

Acute cluster headaches can be effectively treated with these injectables or nasal sprays as referred by the general medicine hospital in siliguri. Injections of sumatriptan or nasal sprays of zolmitriptan are commonly used.

Bottom line:

Cluster headaches are rarely severe and frequently short-lived. The majority of the time, they heal without any medical attention but may recur after months or years without any prior indication. Cluster headaches may require surgery in severe cases.